FAIRFIELD, N.J.—Amerlux Lighting Solutions integrates the latest LED technology into its newest innovation—the Cylindrix II LED track luminaire. The Cylindrix II LED track luminaire is a thermally efficient, long lasting, and high-output luminaire. It features the latest high power, warm white LED technology that delivers high performance lighting with color temperatures similar to that of incandescent. Amerlux, a leader of task-specific, energy-efficient metal halide lighting solutions, is raising the bar as a pioneer of low-wattage LED solutions in its EcoTectural product line for retail, supermarket, commercial and hospitality markets. Designed with a clean, architectural look, Cylindrix II LED luminaires...

CHICAGO—The National Restaurant Assn. launched “Conserve: Solutions for Sustainability”, an initiative designed to support the United States’ nearly one million restaurant and foodservice locations as they become more eco-friendly, at the Association’s recent Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. The Conserve website will educate restaurateurs on how taking small steps over time—or bigger steps for those who choose to do so—can make a difference for the future of our planet, as well as be positive for business. “We are launching Conserve to raise awareness and provide resources and information about eco-friendly practices to the entire restaurant and foodservice community,” said...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Tropical Lights Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Davie, Fla.-based Tropical Lights recently introduced its online Energy Efficient Lighting Conversion & Certification Program for the Hospitality Industry. EcoGreen Award is a national program providing bulb technology information, sources, and conversion/maintenance tools for a facility lighting conversion. A Certification plaque and marketing is included with the program and can be used in conjunction with other types of green certifications. For more information, call (954) 670-1600, e-mail jay@ecogreenaward.com or go to www.ecogreenaward.com.

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality now offers fully customizable linen and towel reuse cards. Cards are 4 inches by 6 inches, and are printed on 80 percent recycled paper with minimum 40 percent post-consumer content coated stock with vegetable and soy-based inks. Pineapple Hospitality offers multiple categories of stock designs for its custom linen and towel reuse cards. Most colors and fonts can be changed. Layout of images and text also can be changed. The card size can be customized as well. If that’s not enough, Pineapple’s graphic design team can create something new just for a property—be it posters,...

Because the dates for the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago fell right on the heels of the HD 2008 Expo & Conference this year, I was unable to attend. However, there was an announcement made at the restaurant show that you should know about—especially if you operate any kind of food and beverage operation. The NRA announced the launch of “Conserve: Solutions for Sustainability,” an initiative designed to support the United States’ nearly one million restaurant and foodservice locations as they become more eco-friendly. “We are launching Conserve to raise awareness and provide resources...

SYRACUSE, N.Y.—Carrier Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp., has introduced its new WeatherMaker rooftop product line with Puron refrigerant. This product line meets the increasing demand for more energy-efficient air conditioners with environmentally sound, non-ozone depleting refrigerant and factory-installed features. “I am pleased to introduce the new Carrier WeatherMaker rooftop product line with the initial release of the three to 10 ton units,” said Chris Nelson, vice president and general manager, Carrier Commercial Unitary Systems. “The new line provides our customers with a reliable and efficient packaged solution that is easy to install, maintain and use.” WeatherMaker rooftop products are...

CHICAGO—The InterContinental Chicago, a 792-room hotel located on the Windy City’s Magnificent Mile, has just obtained its Energy Star rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. The hotel, in a building constructed in 1929, is the first hotel in Chicago to earn the rating. The energy performance of commercial and industrial facilities is scored on a 1 to 100 scale and those facilities that achieve a score of 75 or higher are eligible for the Energy Star, indicating that they are among the top 25 percent of facilities in the country for energy performance. The...

TROY, OHIO—Hobart’s next generation of conveyor warewashers, the CLe, is more productive, more energy efficient and uses less space than other conveyor warewashers in the industry. Incorporating the latest warewashing technology in one machine, the new CLe delivers clean and sanitized dishware at the lowest cost. The new CLe is Energy Star qualified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its energy- and water-saving advantages. Final rinse water usage is as low as .39 gallons per rack. “Hobart’s new CLe is designed to help foodservice and food retail operations enhance performance, minimize waste and save on valuable floor space,”...

NIANTIC, CONN.—INNCOM International, a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of guestroom automation systems for the international lodging industry, has unveiled a new design-centric energy-management solution made of recyclable glass that controls room temperature, lighting and more. The e4 Glass Series Smart Digital Thermostat and Switch, developed with design team tonychi and associates and lighting design partner Arc Light Design, were introduced at the Hospitality Design Expo and Conference last week. “The INNCOM e4 Glass Series finally gives designers the much needed flexibility to work in-room electronics into the overall guestroom design scheme,” said Arc Light designer Alejandro Bulaevsky. “The...

PARK RIDGE, N.J.—Following an increase of nearly 5 percent in 2007, the average price of electricity for industrial or large commercial entities in the United States rose another 3.9 percent over the past year. The annual survey by an independent consulting company, NUS Consulting Group of Park Ridge, N.J., found the average price of electricity in the United States was 9.44 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as of April 1, 2008 compared with 9.08 cents per kWh in April 2007. The survey sampled 24 investor-owned electric companies in the country using a sample model of monthly usage totaling 450,000 kWh...