LOS ANGELES—SONIFI Solutions announced a collaboration with Telkonet, Inc. to make hotel rooms smarter and more connected, by combining energy management solutions with in-room guest entertainment systems. Telkonet’s EcoSmart technology uses intelligent automation and communicates a room’s accurate occupancy status to thermostats, lights, signage and other integrated in-room devices. This feature was recently installed at The Diplomat Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton in Hollywood, Fla. The newly renovated property sits oceanfront along the Gold Coast. “Many of our guests spend time outside of their rooms enjoying our beachside amenities,” said Nelson Garrido, SVP of IT Thayer Lodging, Brookfield Properties....

ATLANTA—Honeywell, a global leader in connected buildings, will launch a suite of next-generation energy management software, smart lighting, voice controls, and secure cloud communication systems at HITEC 2018 in Houston. Through Honeywell technology, the hospitality industry can fully integrate energy management, safety and security systems, property management, and brand network operations for guestroom and building automation. Leading Honeywell’s lineup of new products at HITEC is the INNCOM INNcontrol 5 energy management and guestroom automation control system. The cloud-based and on-premise system monitors real-time guestroom data from intelligent INNCOM devices, such as its e7 Thermostat, to improve a hotel’s energy savings,...

WAUKESHA, WIS.—Telkonet, Inc., creator of the EcoSmart platform of intelligent automation solutions designed to maximize comfort and energy efficiency, has teamed with Volara, the first voice-based hotel guest engagement solution that turns voice into a powerful hospitality business tool. Together, they now offer a hospitality environment in which guests can use voice commands to control intelligent in-room devices and platforms to set scenes within their own hotel rooms. These scenes are able to incorporate one device or many different devices to create the exact environment that a guest requests. From changing temperatures, adjusting shades, dimming lights, adjusting the Do-Not-Disturb...

COLUMBIA, S.C.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc. has completed the construction of a cogeneration Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plant at its Columbia, S.C. fiber production facility. The CHP, which began operating in May 2018, will reduce the plant’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 26,000 metric tons; that’s an impact equal to removing almost 5,500 passenger vehicles from the road each year. This is the latest in ongoing investments Shaw is making to minimize its environmental footprint. The company recently announced it has achieved carbon neutrality in its commercial carpet manufacturing operations. Companywide, Shaw has made significant investments to help reduce...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Guests staying at the LuMINN Hotel Minneapolis, an Ascent Hotel Collection Member, are controlling their room environments and engaging with the property in new ways. Since adding Intelity ICEbedside tablets to each guestroom—which are interfaced to the INNCOM by Honeywell Integrated Room Automation Systems (IRAS)—guests are controlling room temperature, lighting, drapes and alarm clock directly from in-room tablets. Guests can also access the hotel’s mobile app, powered by Intelity, which provides a direct link to hotel information, services, concierge, transportation, maps, directions and more. “Adding ICEbedside tablets to each room brings another element to the guest experience,” said LuMINN...

NEW ALBANY, MISS.—Master-Bilt, manufacturer and supplier of a full line of commercial refrigeration, announce the hire of Craig Hammel as Director of Customer Care. In his role as Director of Customer Care, Hammel will be responsible for all Master-Bilt customer service functions including inside sales support and technical support. He will be focused on developing and successfully executing best-in-class processes to ensure customer satisfaction. Hammel will also oversee driving a high-performance customer service and support culture that delivers sustainable success and continuous improvement. Hammel has over 15 years of management experience including positions as Customer Care Manager and Sales Inventory and...

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—Friedrich, a leading U.S. based air-conditioning manufacturer, has been selected by Consulting-Specifying Engineer as a 2018 Product of the Year finalist in the HVAC Air Movement and Compressors category for the company’s innovative VRP (Variable Refrigerant Packaged) Heat Pump system. Friedrich VRP is among other finalists in 12 different categories honored for product innovation and excellence. Voting is now open for Consulting-Specifying Engineer audiences to determine which products will be selected as gold, silver and bronze winners. Final results will be announced Sept. 2018. Information about this year’s awards and the list of the 2018 finalists can be...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Go Green Distributors to its Green Product & Service Directory in the Food Preservation (Fresher, Longer) category. RD Fresh is an all-natural mineral mix that will remove moisture from your walk-in. This will result in a 1 to 3-degree temperature drop. By removing the moisture, compressor starts are reduced by up to 50 percent and hours of operation are reduced up to 40 percent. RD Fresh extends the life of the compressor 3 to 5 years and lowers maintenance costs by up to 50 percent. Additionally, RD Fresh removes...

DALLAS—Zenergy Brands, Inc., a leading next-generation utility, announced that it is has landed several new clients this year, one of which is a new Zero Cost Program client—Tanglewood Resort & Conference Center. Through Zenergy’s Zero Cost Program, the company will be able to provide an entire suite of conservation-based products and services that will enable the Tanglewood facility to achieve its sustainability goals as well as have a positive impact on its bottom line. Situated on Lake Texoma, just north of the Dallas/Fort-Worth area, Tanglewood provides the perfect setting for both personal relaxation and business retreats. The hotel features 248...

CHICAGO—For the 2018 National Restaurant Association Show, held at McCormick Place, Master-Bilt is highlighting their more efficient and eco-friendly remote refrigeration. Master-Bilt’s newly redesigned remote refrigeration systems consist of M-Series condensing units and E-Series evaporator coils equipped with environmentally-friendly R-448A/R-449A refrigerant. Expansion of the M-Series condensing units to include models from ¼ HP all the way to 15 HP. A switch to more efficient and reliable compliant scroll compressors on many models. In fact, all low temp units are now standard with scroll compressors. Medium temp models are available in both hermetic and scroll, depending on HP rating. Many popular...