NEW HAVEN, CONN.—When architect and developer Bruce Redman Becker envisioned the opportunity to create Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection by Hilton which opened in May 2022, he set an ambitious goal to achieve something no one else in the U.S. had ever done—to create a hotel that operated fully on renewable energy, without any use of fossil fuels. Today, that vision is now a reality and Hotel Marcel has also become the first Passive House-certified hotel in the country. The Passive House certification*, managed by Passive House Institute (PHI), is the only internationally recognized performance standard for air tightness and energy consumption,...

SWORDS, IRELAND—Trane—by Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator, has introduced its Thermal Battery Storage-Source Heat Pump System—a first-of-its-kind solution to advance electrified, low-carbon heating in buildings, including in climates below zero-degrees Fahrenheit. The innovative system converges four proven technologies to accelerate building decarbonization: Thermal energy storage ice tanks, reclaiming and storing excess building heat like a battery, for optimal efficiency; Air-to-water heat pumps utilizing a reverse vapor compression cycle to extract heat from the air outside to warm the building; All-electric chiller-heaters, recovering the excess building heat from the ice tanks to expand air-to-water heat pump applications further into dense urban...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Building material solutions leader KOVA launches KOVA Comfort Intelligent HVAC, an innovative, AI-powered HVAC system that seamlessly integrates into building projects creating healthier, more comfortable environments based on a variety of inputs, including users’ daily routines. Pushing beyond the current industry offerings of IoT and “smart” systems, KOVA Comfort leverages behavioral, environmental, and unit-specific occupancy inputs to learn, personalize, and optimize comfort and energy usage in each unique living environment. With a minimal footprint, sleek design, and elegant profile, the compact system is a cutting-edge solution for multifamily, student housing, hospitality, and residential properties. KOVA Comfort harnesses advanced machine learning in conjunction with...

HELSINKE, FINLAND—Halton, a global leader in HVAC innovation and indoor air comfort solutions, and Phononic, a global leader in sustainable solid-state cooling, announced a strategic licensing partnership in relation to the commercial launch of Terminal Treatment of Air with Peltier (TTAP) technology, an HVAC solution that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Leveraging Halton’s experiences in indoor climate solutions to productize the concept, Phononic’s solid state technology further perfects the TTAP concept as the refreshing innovation it brings to the commercial HVAC infrastructure. The new approach eliminates global-warming refrigerants and provides building owners and real estate developers with a sustainable solution...

SAN DIEGO—In alignment with California’s electrification goals that phase out gas-fired water heating appliances in the coming years, Sonesta International Hotels Corp. is working with Willdan Energy Solutions to take advantage of utility incentives available from Southern California Edison (SCE) through Willdan’s Commercial Energy Efficiency Program. SCE has contracted with Willdan Energy Solutions to develop, implement, and offer the energy efficiency program to SCE customers. It provides comprehensive consultations, technical expertise, financing options, and energy-efficient upgrades. Willdan also sets the rebate amount. According to Dave Campbell, Regional Director of Engineering for Sonesta, about a half-dozen Sonesta hotels in Southern California have benefited...

SAN DIEGO—A-Gas announces the launch of its Rapid Exchange program to their San Diego Rapid Recovery operations. Rapid Exchange is a simple and easy one-for-one cylinder swap program for HVACR contractors; Rapid Recovery is the world’s fastest jobsite refrigerant recovery service. “Refrigerant recovery is the first step in lifecycle refrigerant management. With Rapid Exchange, we’re promoting responsible sustainability processes and giving these businesses a new revenue stream,” shared Jonathan Sanders, Business Development Leader for A-Gas Rapid Recovery. While San Diego HVACR contractors had the option of high-speed job-site recovery via Rapid Recovery, until now they were limited to Rapid Recovery’s cylinder service, where EPA-certified technicians will...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—Legacy Vacation Resorts (LVR), the highest scoring Certified B Corp hotel company in North America, has just debuted their latest eco-friendly renovation project at the company’s signature Lake Buena Vista property. The multi-million-dollar redevelopment includes enhancements to the resort across the design, guest experience, and sustainability programs. Encompassing 28 three-bedroom villas, the project showcases a seamless integration of the brand persona and core values towards a more regenerative approach to tourism thanks to a variety of elements that lower the overall carbon footprint of the business. Highlights include a new solar panel array, elimination of single-use...

RHOME, TEXAS—A-Gas, a world leader in environmentally responsible lifecycle refrigerant management, announced their attendance at the July 2023 RefriAmericas Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Over two days, from July 26 to 27, A-Gas educated visitors on the benefits of lifecycle refrigerant management practices, from use to reclamation or safe destruction. To be effectively reclaimed and reused, refrigerant gases must be properly recovered. Releasing these gases into the atmosphere to dispose of them is not only illegal, but it also eliminates these valuable gases from the supply chain. Through proper recovery and reclamation, refrigerant gases such as HFCs can be...

SWORDS, IRELAND—Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator, announced it has earned the Great Place to Work Certification for the third consecutive year. The certification is based entirely on feedback from the company’s employees. This year, 87 percent of Trane Technologies’ employees say it’s a great place to work compared to 57 percent at a typical U.S.-based company. Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. “At Trane Technologies, we are committed to creating an inclusive, uplifting and engaging culture where people feel empowered to help us...

SUWANEE, GA.—Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC (METUS), a leading supplier of all-climate Ductless and Ducted Mini-split and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat-pump and air-conditioning systems, announces the introduction of Hybrid VRF, a cutting-edge two-pipe VRF zoning system designed to use water instead of refrigerant in indoor spaces. The Hybrid VRF system exchanges heat between refrigerant and water using Mitsubishi Electric’s proprietary Hybrid Branch Circuit Controller (HBC). The HBC enables Hybrid VRF to provide heat recovery for simultaneous heating and cooling while keeping indoor piping refrigerant-free and reducing the system’s overall refrigerant charge. Hybrid VRF is compatible with CITY MULTI N-Generation outdoor...