CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes LaMar Lighting Co., Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Occu-Smart, the energy-saving lighting system from LaMar Lighting, combines an internal motion sensor with bi-level electronic ballast to provide an innovative solution for seldom-used spaces, such as stairwells, corridors and storerooms where high light levels are only occasionally necessary. The sensor detects even the slightest movement and instantly switches from the adjustable standby light level to full light output. Occu-Smart is offered in 10 attractive wall or ceiling mount luminaire styles and both dwell time and...

RIPON, WISC.—Energy efficiency is only part of the story of UniMac’s new 55-pound drying tumbler. Hotel laundry managers will appreciate that UniMac built the UT055 to fit through a standard 36-inch doorway—unlike most drying tumblers of similar capacities. In addition to fitting through a standard opening, the tumbler is a foot shorter than its 50-pound counterpart. Its design maximizes cylinder capacity, while not wasting any cabinet space. The end result is a leaner (and greener) design that utilizes 20 percent less steel than a 50-pound tumbler. Perhaps the most impressive feature for on-premises laundry managers is the tumbler’s performance. In-house...

ADDISON, ILL.—Hotels, motels and resorts tracking temperature or humidity conditions affecting both patron comfort and energy costs can now have the convenience of both real-time data and the ability to download data for further analysis with the redesigned Dickson Graph-at-a-Glance Flat Panel Temperature and Humidity Data Loggers. The Graph-at-a-Glance data loggers are paperless chart recorders that provide a digital graph enabling hotel industry managers to immediately visualize environmental trends that have potentially affected their facilities. Features of the redesigned Graph-at-a Glance data loggers include: • 36 percent greater data resolution in a Jumbo 4.5” x 3.4” (114.3 mm x 86.36 mm) display...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. announced that it has been recognized for the fourth consecutive year as a recipient of the 2008 Energy Star “Partner of the Year” award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), earning Marriott the distinction of being named a partner of “Sustained Excellence” for the second consecutive year. Marriott will be recognized for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency in an awards ceremony April 1, 2008, in Washington, D.C. “We are proud to recognize Marriott’s continued efforts with the 2008 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award,” said Robert J. Meyers, principal deputy assistant...

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...