ASHLAND CITY, TENN.—A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment, was recognized for excellence in the Chicago Athenaeum GOOD DESIGN Awards, which honors the yearly achievements of the best world manufacturers and industrial and graphic designers for their pursuit of extraordinary design excellence. The Adapt Premium Condensing Gas Tankless Water Heater with X3 Scale Prevention Technology and the Voltex 120V Plug-In Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) both won in the Building and Architectural awards category. The Chicago Athenaeum Museum received a record number of submissions for this year’s contest, with submissions from the world’s leading manufacturers...

NATIONAL REPORT—Ambitious climate and decarbonization efforts have heightened the demand for electrified and energy-efficient buildings. Regulatory frameworks are evolving from simple incentives to stringent compliance measures. Recently, states and cities have enacted building performance standards (BPS) that mandate energy performance and emissions reductions, as well as implementing benchmarking and transparency policies. As a result, real estate operators must meet these standards to mitigate financial risks associated with non-compliance, further motivating them to enhance performance. Simultaneously, utilities and third-party program administrators are tasked with meeting multi-year energy savings targets, concentrating on initiatives like peak demand reductions. This alignment of incentives fosters...

SWORDS, IRELAND—Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator, announced that it has completed the acquisition of BrainBox AI, a pioneer in autonomous HVAC controls and generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) building technology. The acquisition was previously announced in a press release on December 18, 2024. BrainBox AI uses advanced deep learning algorithms to predict building energy needs and automate HVAC systems, thus reducing energy consumption by up to 25 percent and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 40 percent. The acquisition builds on the companies’ existing collaboration and combines BrainBox AI’s leading Artificial Intelligence technology with Trane Technologies’ advanced building management and digital capabilities...

LOS ANGELES—EVPassport, a global EV charging network, has been named to the Inc. 2024 Best in Business list in the Energy category. Inc.’s annual Best in Business Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements and contributions of companies that have made a profound impact on their industries and on society at large. “We are honored to be recognized on Inc.’s prestigious list as one of America's most dynamic businesses and for making a positive impact on the energy sector, businesses across industries, the environment, and society as a whole,” said Hooman Shahidi, CEO and co-founder of EVPassport. “EV adoption and mass electrification...

NATIONAL REPORT—Corporations hold a significant share of society, creating employment, growth, development, and more that helps a nation prosper. Due to its importance and impact, today corporations are responsible for using energy wisely and cutting costs while committing to sustainability. As these two factors become more critical, corporations are actively switching to solar power for a better cause. It’s a practical solution that allows companies to generate green electricity, reducing their environmental impact and cutting unnecessary energy costs. To adapt to this shift successfully, corporations can take effective ideas from the Maryland community solar development program to use solar...

JAMESTOWN, N.Y.—Hope’s Windows, Inc., a leading manufacturer of custom-designed, solid steel and bronze window and door systems, highlights its One55 series steel windows and doors. The One55 series provides the perfect fit for projects requiring replication of historic steel windows with arrow-shaped profiles. The series can also give new constructions an original flare with its unique profiles and narrow sightlines. Customers can enhance the series with bespoke customizations to improve the series’ resilience and efficiency. The One55 series is distinguished by its historic, arrow-shaped profiles that combine a refined, industrial aesthetic with narrow sightlines. The series features fully welded construction...

BENNETTSVILLE, S.C.—Marley Engineered Products, LLC., a leader in innovative electric heating solutions, highlights its advanced Thermazone and Thermazone Thin infrared heaters, designed to provide superior comfort with unmatched efficiency. These recently launched, cutting-edge products are ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications, offering targeted, energy-efficient warmth for a wide range of environments. Engineered to deliver clean, safe, and efficient heating, the Thermazone heater uses advanced infrared technology to directly warm people and objects, rather than the air around them. This approach eliminates drafts and keeps energy usage to a minimum, making it an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for heating large...

BEACON FALLS, CONN.—When looking at tourism business statistics in the United States, California, Florida and New York usually are at the top for attracting the most visitors in any given year. Places like Chicago and Washington D.C. also rank high, as do destinations in warm weather states such as Arizona and Texas, especially in the wintertime. One state that recently broke its tourism record and posted a 31 percent increase in travelers the past decade is Colorado. Mesmerized by its all-seasons beauty, 93.3 million people visited the state in 2023 and spent $28.3 billion, with the metro Denver area generating...

NORTON SHORES, MICH.—EarthTronics, dedicated to developing innovative energy-saving lighting products that provide a positive economic and environmental impact, introduces its 48-inch Color & Wattage Selectable LED Stairwell Light to ensure proper light levels and color temperatures for safely traversing the stairwells. The Color & Wattage Selectable LED Stairwell Light provides the flexibility of setting the color temperature at 3500K, 4000K or 5000K with an 80+ CRI at the point of installation. Offering 4200, 54000 or 6600 lumen levels operating at 35, 45 and 55 watts, respectively, the energy-efficient stairwell light provides 120 lumens per watt operating on 120 - 347...

YORK, ENGLAND—B-Corp real estate investor and developer, Lamington Group, is delighted to unveil details of its next project under the award-winning, eco hometel brand, room2, with a York property that started site development this summer and will open in early 2026. This will be the brand’s first in the North of England and continues the group’s leading commitment to take real action on climate change by building and operating net-zero carbon properties. Located inside the city’s castle walls, room2 York will offer 116 guestrooms, a meeting space, laundry room, gym, and new Winnie’s cafe and bar concept specializing in home cooked...