I learned this past week that about 18 to 20 percent of a building’s energy footprint is from windows and that part of their job is to help manage infrared rays, UV rays and visible light. Many of you may have known that already. Did you know that most of the sun’s heat comes in the form of visible light? That is why closing curtains and shades when guestrooms are vacant can certainly help some with heating and AC. Blocking UV light can help reduce the fading of carpeting, furniture and artwork. Walk the floor of HITEC and you...

NATIONAL REPORT—Critical to the energy efficiency of any building is the quality of the window itself—its ability to insulate from infrared heat, potentially harmful UV rays, visible light, and cold air. Joseph Harary, President and CEO, Director, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary for Research Frontiers, says 18 to 20 percent of a building’s energy footprint is from windows. Fortunately for hotel owners, advancements in window design have made them highly effective insulators. Just as window design has improved significantly, so too have technologies that make the inner part of the window and the outside of the window contributors to energy...

NEW YORK—New York Convention Center Operating Corporation (NYCCOC) President and CEO Alan Steel announced the issuance of the Javits Center’s 2019 Sustainability Report—An Unconventional Oasis, which outlines the efforts to further improve the sustainability of the busiest convention center in the United States. The 39-page report details the latest advances of the robust sustainability program at the iconic facility on Manhattan’s West Side, including the installation of state-of-the-art, energy-efficient equipment and policies, a growing wildlife sanctuary on a 6.75-acre green roof and a new project in conjunction with the New York Power Authority to install the largest rooftop solar...

MUSKEGON, MICH.—EarthTronics, dedicated to developing innovative energy-saving lighting products that provide a positive economic and environmental impact, introduces its new Slim LED Recessed Downlight Series designed for energy efficiency and easy installation in finished drywall and architectural tile ceiling spaces with tight space tolerances for hospitals, hotels, long-term care facilities, schools, office buildings and other commercial and residential applications. Rated for wet locations, the new LED series is ideal for high humidity areas and around bathroom showers. The 4-inch and 6-inch slim recessed downlights have an integrated switch allowing for the selection of one of five colors at the time...

BREA, CALIF.—UMA Solar and Techno-Solis were awarded the first OG-400 certifications for their solar swimming pool water heating systems from the Solar Rating & Certification Corp. (ICC-SRCC). They are the first manufacturers to complete the new program. The certification proves compliance with the ICC 902/APSP 902/SRCC 400 Solar Pool and Spa Heating System Standard. Developed in conjunction with the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (formerly The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals), the ANSI-approved solar pool and spa heating system standard addresses minimum requirements for solar water heating systems designed for and installed in residential and commercial swimming pools and...

JACKSON, MICH.—Consumers Energy announced that it has approved over 125 rebates for electric vehicle charging stations for drivers across Michigan as the energy provider powers up a new effort to help the next generation of vehicles get into gear. Those include 92 rebates, worth $5,000 apiece, that Consumers Energy’s PowerMIDrive program is providing for chargers at workplaces and in public locations. The rebate’s recipients will install the charging stations throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Public charging stations in the following counties have received the most rebates so far: Kent (11), Jackson (8), Calhoun (7), Saginaw (5), Kalamazoo (4), Muskegon (4), Charlevoix...

Mixed in the news this past week about mass shootings, demonstrations in Hong Kong, a congressional trip or non-trip to Israel, etc. was some very important news about our climate. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that last month, July, was the hottest month on record for the planet. NOAA has been keeping records for the last 140 years. The year-to-date temperature for 2019 tied with 2017 as the second warmest January-July on record. During July, Arctic sea ice loss occurred at an average rate of 40,800 square miles per day, surpassing the 1981-2010 average of 33,500...

A little more than a year after breaking ground on its LEED Silver CAESARS FORUM conference center in Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment says its 550,000 square-foot facility is on pace to open in March 2020. Green Lodging News asked Caesars some questions about the $375 million complex that will feature two of the largest pillarless ballrooms in the world. 1. Please provide a few examples of what has been sourced locally for the construction of the center. At Caesars Entertainment we help local communities flourish through economic contributions, in the form of employee wages and benefits, payments to vendors for...

NATIONAL REPORT—Traditional heating solutions in the winter months can break your budget. Plus, they aren’t good for the environment because they typically use some sort of fossil fuel. Using coal, oil, or natural gas to heat your hotel can harm the environment, including contributing to global warming, causing air pollution, and increasing the chance for an oil spill. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to heat your hotel once the weather turns chilly, you’re in luck. There are several different ways you can heat your hotel without harming the environment. Some of these methods may even save you money. Heat...

WEST CALDWELL, N.J.—MaxLite proudly announces the launch of WarrantyMax, a comprehensive service program that gives lighting customers automatic 10-year warranty coverage on most commercial and industrial LED fixtures. This initiative provides MaxLite customers with the highest levels of quality assurance and value across a broad range of commercial and industrial indoor and outdoor fixtures. The WarrantyMax program, which took effect July 22, 2019, offers automatic coverage—no registration or minimum product purchase required—with longer product operating hours and a wider ambient temperature range. The 10-year warranty covers materials and workmanship from the earlier of the actual installation date or 90 days after...