ATLANTA—Dyson, the English vacuum cleaner company, announced that their Airblade hand drying system has been awarded certification by NSF International. The Airblade system is marketed in the United States by Cannon Hygiene, Inc. This is the first and only such award the NSF has ever given to a hand dryer manufacturer. Formerly known as the National Sanitary Foundation, NSF is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich. NSF has become a world leader in standards development, product certification, education, environmental protection, risk management, and sets guidelines to help protect health and the environment. According to Doug...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—We are used to the orange glow of sodium-based parking lights; you know the ones that take forever to illuminate after a power failure. This is the most common form of exterior lighting, although many areas of your facility will use different lighting depending on the situation. For large area illumination, High Pressure (HP) Sodium and Metal Halide are most commonly used because that has been the standard for many years. These technologies do have drawbacks: low quality of light spectrum, poor low temperature operation and a short life span of about 15,000 hours. Induction Lighting is the...

MALVERN, PA.—USA Technologies announced that the number of major U.S. energy utilities participating in its EnergyMiser Rebate Program had nearly doubled since last year to include 45 utility companies. USA Technologies reported that during 2007, 24 utilities were offering customers rebates ranging between $15 and $180 for the EnergyMiser energy management product line. The number of utilities offering rebates has risen to 45 for 2008. “Energy utilities are concerned about increasing energy consumption as well as higher energy prices, and are extending their incentives to help customers to purchase energy conservation technology,” said Stephen P. Herbert, president and COO, USA Technologies....

NATIONAL REPORT—In meeting rooms, back of house and other areas of your hotel, chances are great that you are using T-12 fluorescent lamps or the more efficient T-8s to illuminate large spaces. At least two companies—ilumisys, Inc. in Troy, Mich., and LEDdynamics, Inc. in Randolph, Vt.—are trying to replace these linear fluorescents with LED alternatives that are more energy efficient and safer for the environment. Fluorescent tubes include mercury and despite recycling efforts, 500 million to 600 million lamps end up in landfills each year. LED alternatives do not include mercury. “LED lamps also last longer, which means you throw...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Can you picture what it means to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 1 million metric tons? News stories are packed with measurements of greenhouse gas reductions, but it has been difficult to understand them—until now. EPA’s new Greenhouse Gas Calculator helps you turn greenhouse gas savings into more easily understood everyday terms. The calculator converts greenhouse gas-related savings estimates, typically presented in “million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents,” into familiar terms such as the greenhouse gas emissions that would result from: • Driving a particular number of cars for a year; • Using a particular amount of gasoline...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp., the leading appliance manufacturer, has been recognized with its third consecutive Energy Star Sustained Excellence award. Provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the award honors Whirlpool Corp.’s contribution to providing innovative efficient products that help consumers reduce utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions. Whirlpool will accept the award at ceremonies in Washington, D.C., on April 1, 2008. This is the company’s ninth Energy Star award win. “Whirlpool Corp. is proud to again receive the Energy Star Sustained Excellence award,” said Mike Todman, president, Whirlpool North...

EAST FREETOWN, MASS.— The new, 94 percent-efficient ModCon Commercial Condensing Boiler from Heat Transfer Products features a high-grade Inconel, load-matching gas burner with a five-to-one turndown ratio, to meet the variable needs for space heating and domestic hot water in a single application. The 500,000 Btu per hour model, for example, will operate as low as 100,000 Btu/h, saving energy on warmer spring and fall days when the heating load is light and spans just a few hours. In addition, direct-vent sealed-combustion ModCon boilers can be stacked, two at a time, to double capacity while maintaining the same small footprint....

KISSIMMEE, FLA.—Gaylord Hotels and The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) welcomed Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center into the Florida Green Lodging Program. The 1,406-room resort is one of the largest in that state to participate, and the first in Osceola County’s popular Kissimmee resort corridor. In addition, the resort announced the upcoming rollout of a new guest communications program, called “We’re Eco-Logical”, designed to share the spirit of the resort’s eco-friendly initiatives with guests and meeting planners, while encouraging them to take an active role in the programs. “Together with the citizens of Osceola County, we have created one...

WORCESTER, MASS.—Wet-Tech introduces the EnviroSaver II ELS Ozone and Water Re-use system. Both systems, which result in significant cost savings, can be retrofitted to existing laundries and provide proven bacteria and virus protection. Using the company’s Water Re-use system can result in water savings of up to 50 percent or more. Go to www.wet-tech.com for more information.

LAGRANGE, OHIO—West Development Group (WDG), a leader in sustainable roofing products and practices, introduces the System 14 Total Silicone Roof System. System 14 is a comprehensive roofing solution that delivers a complete range of products, including silicone sheet goods, skylight glazing, silicone sealants and coatings, and Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) insulation, as well as other products for any commercial or industrial roofing situation. WDG’s System 14 features a zero VOC coating (HSS 535) that is applied over a soy-based SPF, creating a moisture-resistant seal that is both durable and flexible. A silicone topcoat cures in a few hours; forms a...