NATIONAL REPORT—Lighting plays a key role in the hospitality experience, from enhancing architectural effects to providing security and directional functions. Recent technological advances in the lighting industry have also made it an increasingly important consideration in sustainable design and building practices. New light sources have emerged that are both cost-effective and that perform up to or better than older technologies. While some of the newer light sources may cost more initially, the resulting electrical and maintenance savings often equate to an impressive 30 to 600 percent return on investment. The energy programs and policies of any hotel, motel or resort should...

MINNEAPOLIS—Honeywell announced it has been awarded a $4.7 million contract to implement an energy-efficiency program that will significantly reduce electricity use in small hotels and motels throughout the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) service territory in northern and central California. The Cool Control Plus program from Honeywell Utility Solutions, part of Honeywell Building Solutions, will provide lodging owners with free, energy-saving retrofits designed to eliminate wasteful use of air-conditioning and heating units. The two-and-a-half-year program will cut consumption and costs for owners, and help the utility meet state conservation targets. It is expected to save 12 million kilowatt...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A coalition of energy efficiency advocates last week announced plans for proposed legislative action for a major shift toward incorporating high-efficiency lighting technologies in home and office settings. The call-to-action was introduced by Philips Electronics, Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Congressman Don Manzullo (R.-Ill.), and the Lighting Efficiency Coalition—comprised of the Alliance to Save Energy, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Californians Against Waste, Natural Resources Defense Council and Earth Day Network. The Philips-led coalition is advocating an industrywide initiative that would accelerate the use of existing energy-efficient lighting systems and bulbs as substitutes for less efficient...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—A Partner Member of the Green Hotel Assn. and a Santa Monica Sustainable Works Business Greening Program participant, The Ambrose hotel here is doing what it can to “Leave Only Footprints Behind.” It is that phrase that the 77-room property uses in its stylish logo. In every area of the hotel’s operations, a commitment to sustainability is clear. That commitment stems from the owner, The Ambrose Group L.L.C., as well as the “all concierge” team of employees at the property. The Ambrose first got involved in greening the hotel’s operations by participating in Santa Monica’s Sustainable Works Business Greening...

GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet Inc., a leader in providing in-building broadband access over existing electrical wiring, announced that the company has completed the acquisition of Smart Systems International (SSI), a leading technology manufacturer of in-room energy management systems for the hospitality industry. The company acquired substantially all the assets of SSI for $7 million comprised of cash and company common stock. SSI’s patented energy management technology eliminates wasted energy from heating and cooling unoccupied rooms, constantly adjusting the temperature based on current room conditions. It evaluates how far the temperature can drift for maximum energy savings, while ensuring the room...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp. announced that it will receive the 2007 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This award is given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding environmental leadership year after year, while sustaining product and marketing excellence. This unique honor represents the company’s eighth Energy Star Award win. Whirlpool Corp. will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2007. Whirlpool Corp., an Energy Star partner since 1998, will be honored for its...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Pure Solutions NA, Cheektowaga, N.Y., as a Founding Sponsor. Pure Solutions is the creator of the PURE Allergy Friendly Room. PURE Allergy Friendly Rooms provide guests with an environment where all surfaces are treated to minimize contaminants and irritants—mold spores, yeast, bacteria, pollen, dust, dust mites and chlorine—as well as their odors. Pure Solutions’ patent pending process includes air handling unit cleaning, carpet cleaning, filter replacement, surface cleaning with a Pure Clean Solution, ozone shock treatment, the application of a surface barrier on all room surfaces, an...

DANVERS, MASS.— Osram Sylvania proves a small bulb can make a big difference with the introduction of the new elogic mini. The lead-free bulb offers a 50 percent longer life, an almost 30 percent smaller bulb, and consumes 5 percent less energy with only a little less light than standard incandescent bulbs. “If half the incandescent light bulbs sold in the U.S. today were elogic bulbs, we’d keep 830 tons of lead out of the environment,” says Jon DiGesu, director of brand strategy, Osram Sylvania. “And if half the incandescent light bulbs sold in the U.S. today used...

Commercial buildings across the United States have a common problem: They seldom perform at design level. Optimum level provides the most comfortable and safe indoor environment for the occupants while balancing operation and maintenance costs for the owners. Retro-commissioning (Rcx) is a systematic process that helps solve this problem by allowing a building’s HVAC system and integrated building controls to operate at peak performance. Retro-commissioning building systems can provide significant benefits such as improving occupant comfort, reducing energy cost, improving indoor air quality, enhancing building operations and extending equipment life. The National Environmental Balancing Bureau defines Rcx as “the systematic process...

LA TANTE, ST. DAVID’S, GRENADA—Paradise Bay Resort, base here, is laying the foundation for an 80-kilowatt, 100-foot-high windmill. According to James Post, a representative of the resort, the wind generator is the first utility-size windmill in the Eastern Caribbean and will be able to supply the resort with almost 100 percent of its electricity needs. The foundation for the windmill will hold 6,000 feet of steel rods and 40 tons of concrete. The propellers for the windmill will span 60 feet from tip to tip. In March, the installation will be completed under supervision of Netherlands-based Wind Energy Solutions BV....