CHICAGO—Meiko USA Inc.’s exclusive Waste Air Heat Recovery System reclaims waste heat generated by its warewashing machines as free energy, and uses it to preheat the incoming rinse water. This conserves energy and provides hot water sanitization from a cold water supply. The exclusive Waste Air Heat Recovery System is a standard feature on all K-Tronic series rack conveyors, and is an option for all B-US Series flight-type conveyors. In addition to the financial benefits for the consumer, the Waste Air Heat Recovery System provides environmental benefits. Exhaust air is dramatically cooled to reduce its impact on the environment. Because...

MINNEAPOLIS—Honeywell has introduced Roof Top Retro Commissioning, a service that improves the efficiency of roof top units (RTUs) used to heat and cool commercial facilities, and lowers the cost of operating this equipment by 5 to 20 percent on average. RTUs are one of the main energy consumers in a facility, and mechanical problems and poor maintenance can greatly increase utility bills. The Roof Top Retro Commissioning service centers on a handheld diagnostic tool—Honeywell Service Assistant—that pinpoints problems, suggests service work and displays the anticipated payback. Specifically, the tool calculates equipment energy use, capacity and cost-savings potential to optimize performance...

COVINGTON, GA.—Covington, Ga.-based Peachtree Lighting, a leader in very low energy highly efficient architectural luminaries, has introduced a new family of small wall mounted sconces that use a new LED light source. LED light sources have in the past two years accelerated miniaturization of lighting equipment used for modern architectural lighting. The LEDO series is a slender, clean accent wall luminaire only 10" x 6" x 1 ¾" deep, easily complying with ADA requirements. It creates a soft up and down lighting pattern that is both functional and decorative. Typically, normal ceiling height ceilings and corridors have presented issues for architects...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Almost 100 years old, the historic Meier & Frank department store here is being converted to a 331-room Starwood Luxury Collection hotel called The Nines. The upper nine floors will be the home for the hotel; the lower five floors are being refurbished by Macy’s, Inc. and will open as a Macy’s department store. The Nines, which is being developed by Denver-based Sage Hospitality Resources, has Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification as its goal. The hotel is slated to open in summer 2008. SERA Architects, Inc., Portland, Ore., is the architectural firm on the project...

DIAMOND BAR, CALIF.—SteamSuite, a high-end steam shower manufacturer, has created an amenity that provides guests with a relaxing spa environment in the privacy of their own room, while also enabling hotels to save exponentially on their water bill while adding an up-charge to guests’ overall room charges. “Steam bathing is clinically proven to release toxins from the body, improve respiration and circulation, and ease tense muscles,” says SteamSuite president Jari Ristola. “The benefits of steam not only improve a guest’s experience at your hotel, but encourage them to return.” It is a fact that the steam shower is a more functional...

CHICAGO—Master-Bilt, manufacturer of a full line of commercial refrigeration systems, recently unveiled its optional MBWA-1 digital walk-in alarm and light management system. The new factory-installed MBWA-1 replaces less accurate mechanical thermometers, separate alarms and light switches with one convenient unit. It saves energy with its door open alarm as well as its internal light timer, which automatically switches off the light. It comes equipped with a number of features including high/low temperature alarms, light management and a panic alarm. An optional battery backup is also available. The MBWA-1 is designed to help eliminate the two biggest energy wasters on a...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—Neenah Paper Inc., a premium paper manufacturer, has joined the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). CCX is the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary but legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction, registry and trading program. By joining CCX, Neenah Paper has not only committed to tracking and reporting carbon dioxide emissions, but also to achieving a 6 percent reduction by 2010 versus their baseline. CCX’s trading system establishes limits on overall emissions and sets company allowances for members. Businesses with emissions below their allowances can trade the remainder to other companies, whereas businesses that do not achieve their committed...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—GE Consumer & Industrial introduces its new HIR Plus lamp. The company says it is the highest energy efficient PAR 38 in the marketplace as measured by lumens per watt (LPW). A new instrument for retailers and other commercial end–users fighting to reduce energy wastefulness—available in 45–, 48–, 54–, 60–, 67– and 83–watt spots and floods—the HIR Plus is designed to replace higher wattage, standard PAR 38 lamps while delivering as much as a 54 percent reduction in energy costs. Because the new GE lamps offer over two times the rated life of standard halogen lamps (4,200 hours...

LAS VEGAS—Power Efficiency Corp., a developer and manufacturer of advanced energy savings technologies for electric motors, announced that Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power have qualified Power Efficiency Corp.’s technology for a prescriptive rebate on escalators throughout the state of Nevada with no further testing of the technology necessary. Qualified customers who install Power Efficiency’s technology on their escalators may receive a rebate of $20 per 1HP. For example, a 30HP escalator installation will result in a $600 rebate. Nevada Power consultants, KEMA and Paragon Consulting Services, conducted extensive testing of the technology on escalators in several major casinos...

NATIONAL REPORT—Operating a spa in an environmentally responsible manner requires a lot more than using natural personal care products. Yes, offering such treatments is smart and provides a competitive advantage, but it is just a small part of running a “green” operation. How you manage water, lighting, heating and cooling, cleaning, purchasing, and even cooking is much more important. What those who have implemented green programs have discovered is that they need not sacrifice luxury—or profits—for sustainability. To compete with leaders such as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa and others that operate green spas,...