WILKES-BARRE, PA.—Mohegan Sun Pocono will install a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system which will provide a reliable, energy-efficient source for heating and electric power and reduce Mohegan Sun Pocono’s primary energy consumption. Installation of the CHP system by Reading, Pa.-based UGI HVAC Enterprises, Inc. (UGI HVAC) is anticipated to begin in March and be fully operational by fall 2016.“The implementation of the CHP system is one of our core sustainability initiatives for 2016,” said Mike Bean, President and CEO of Mohegan Sun Pocono. “This system will significantly reduce congestion in the local energy grid while providing us with...

VERNON HILLS, ILL.—Scotsman Ice Systems’ Meridian HID525 ice and water dispenser has received a 2015 GOOD DESIGN award,  the world’s most prestigious, recognized and oldest Design Awards program organized by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. Designed with space, production and installation in mind, the Meridian unit offers premium reliability, time-saving serviceability and convenient cleaning innovations.“Launched earlier this year, the Meridian product line incorporates the latest in ice- and water-dispensing technology in the smallest available operational footprint relative to capacity,” said Jeff Biel, Director of Product Development for Scotsman. “The Meridian unit emphasizes our commitment to pairing...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy announced historic new efficiency standards for commercial air conditioners and furnaces. Developed with industry, utilities, and environmental groups, these standards will save more energy than any other standard issued by the Department to date. Over the lifetime of the products, businesses will save $167 billion on their utility bills and carbon pollution will be reduced by 885 million metric tons.“Just days after the Paris agreement to cut global emissions and create a new era of affordable energy, today’s announcement marks the largest energy-saving standard in history and demonstrates that America is leading the...

NEW YORK—New York Convention Center Operating Corp. President and CEO Alan Steel announced that the Javits Center has achieved LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the developers of the LEED building rating system. This certification follows the completion of a comprehensive renovation and revitalization. Located on Manhattan’s West Side, the Javits Center is considered the busiest convention center in the United States, supporting more than 17,000 jobs and generating up to $1.8 billion in economic activity for the Empire State. Led by the New York Convention Center Development Corporation, FXFOWLE, Epstein and Tishman Construction, an AECOM...

THEALE, ENGLAND—Quadriga, a leading international provider of Internet and entertainment managed services for the hospitality industry, has been working alongside the TUI Group, a leading, multinational tourism company, to create the world’s first wearable technology dedicated to creating a seamless hotel experience. Dubbed the TUI Smartband, this new wearable wristband can be used to enter a hotel room, to charge purchases around the hotel, track the entire family’s holiday spending, and control air-conditioning and energy consumption in each room. As well as tapping into the latest technological trends that enhance the guest experience, the TUI Smartband will also leverage more...

NEW YORK—Buildings of at least 10 stories in height have the most potential to suffer from the chimney effect if rooftop vents are open at the top of elevator shafts. The chimney effect occurs when heated air is given an opportunity to escape through a rooftop. This can add costs, of course, as makeup air coming into the building through the lobby must be heated. According to Grant Salmon, Deputy Director, Steven Winter Associates, New York, the taller the building, the greater the chimney effect. “In a taller building there is greater pressure,” he says. “The temperature differential also...

NEW ALBANY, MISS.—Master-Bilt, manufacturer and supplier of a full line of premier commercial refrigeration, introduced their new Alternative Industrial Refrigerant (AIR) Initiative which outlines the use of Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blended refrigerants and foaming agents to meet the EPA’s Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP) guidelines.A blended refrigerant is a combination of two or more single component refrigerants that drastically reduce global warming potential when compared to traditional hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The new refrigerants are approved and supported by major component manufacturers and have similar energy efficiency and performance characteristics of HFCs. The blends are non-volatile and non-flammable and can easily be...

LOUISVILLE, KY.— Ask a hotel front desk employee or read an online review to learn quickly that temperature and noise are two of the biggest complaint opportunities for guests, and both can result from a faulty air conditioner. Hospitality industry data proves that when guests are not pleased with the temperature or noise of their room, two-thirds are unlikely to return to the hotel, and one-third are unlikely to recommend a hotel.GE’s new Zoneline packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) are now engineered to be more reliable and quiet, as well as provide energy efficiency and easier installation and maintenance,...

LITTLE ROCK, ARK.—AirRevive, a leader in sustainable HVAC refurbishment and re-commissioning services for the hospitality industry, announced its completion of a guestroom fan coil unit refurbishment project for the Little Rock Marriott.Marriott engaged AirRevive to refurbish the guestroom’s Whalen fan coil units after the property’s $16 million dollar renovation in 2014. The renovation included upgrading the guestrooms to Marriott’s new design. The only former asset remaining was the 35-year-old Whalen fan coil units. “Working at Little Rock Marriott after its important renovation was an honor for AirRevive,” said AirRevive President Justin Del Sesto. “AirRevive loves to refurbish Whalen fan coil...

EXETER, N.H.—New Hampshire’s hospitality industry requires a lot of hot water to clean dishes, provide showers and keep swimming pools comfortable. In a state where many people spend their vacations, ReVision Energy has helped a number of local businesses maintain a financial competitive edge while curbing fossil fuel consumption.Some of ReVision’s solar hot water installations include the Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery, Inn at Sunset Hill, Purity Springs Resort, Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Company, The Common Man restaurant in Concord and the Eastern Slope Inn Resort. One of the company’s larger projects is a system of 24,...