SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—WattStopper has launched a line of optional neutral occupancy sensors that let installers decide whether or not they need a neutral after they purchase a wall switch product. Because the sensors work for two-wire or three-wire applications, one device is compatible with 2011 NEC requirements and with existing wiring. Unlike competitive products, they require no special configuration, saving time for contractors, preventing miswiring and simplifying ordering. WattStopper’s patent pending Neutral Sense Technology ensures proper operation in any installation. Neutral Sense Technology was developed to address customers’ requests for products that offer the greatest versatility, allowing them to...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Plumbing inspectors, manufacturers, engineers, contractors, labor representatives and other industry technical experts in Las Vegas voted overwhelmingly to make a change to plumbing codes that will ensure hot water pipes in new homes and commercial buildings are insulated. Overall, insulation of hot water pipes will shorten the amount of time spent waiting for hot water at showers and faucets, and cut hot water waste by 15 to 30 percent.The vote took place during the review of proposed changes to the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Uniform Plumbing Code. The proposal was championed by the United...

BERKELEY, CALIF.—Looking strictly at the economic costs and benefits of three different roof types—black, white and “green” (or vegetated)—Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) researchers have found in a new study that white roofs are the most cost-effective over a 50-year time span. While the high installation cost of green roofs sets them back in economic terms, their environmental and amenity benefits may at least partially mitigate their financial burden.A new report titled “Economic Comparison of White, Green, and Black Flat Roofs in the United States” by Julian Sproul, Benjamin Mandel, and Arthur Rosenfeld of Berkeley Lab, and Man...

CHICAGO—Master-Bilt’s award-winning Master Controller, featuring Web2Walk-In software, is now Apple iOS compatible making remote monitoring and adjustment of walk-ins accessible from any device with an Internet connection including a PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet. The newest Master Controller will debut at the 2014 National Restaurant Show May 17 to 20 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.In addition to iOS compatibility, a new defrost function built into the Master Controller’s Web2Walk-In software monitors coil temperature and automatically turns on evaporator fans for a short time when the coil is warm to melt accumulated frost and ice from the fan guards. This function...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Telkonet, Inc., whose complementary business divisions include EcoSmart, an energy management technology platform featuring Recovery Time technology and EthoStream, one of the largest high-speed Internet access providers in the world, announced that Mode:Green has standardized on Telkonet as best-in-class energy management technology for future projects.Mode:Green is a provider of energy management services that reduce energy consumption and lower utility costs while displaying real-time analysis of all consumable resources. They focus on developing simple solutions to complex systems for clients in the hospitality industry.Bill Lally, LEED-AP and President/CEO of Mode:Green said, “A key to reducing utility consumption in hospitality...

BURNABY, B.C.—According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 400 billion KW of hot water goes down the drain annually in the United States—roughly $40 billion worth of energy at an average cost of $.10/KW. A great deal of that energy loss occurs in hotels—where energy is uncaptured from greywater from showers and baths, sinks, dishwashers, laundry, etc. Energy is also lost in the blackwater coming from toilets. One company, International Wastewater Systems, has developed a system it calls SHARC (which stands for sewer heat recovery) to capture and reuse heat that typically is lost to the sewage system.International Wastewater...

BOURNE, MASS.—Chilled water system performance is often overlooked in plant operations, yet optimizing performance can significantly improve chilled water plant efficiency, and thereby reduce costs.  A new guide from Onset, “Using Data Loggers to Improve Chilled Water Plant Efficiency,” focuses on using data to evaluate the potential positive impacts to overall efficiency by controlling chilled water coil differential temperature. The guide covers how to use portable data loggers at the individual coil level to help assess opportunities for saving energy, and includes a case study describing a real-world deployment and analysis of collected data. A free copy of the...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—WattStopper has introduced a new line of wireless occupancy sensors in response to customer requests for more choices to manage energy. The radio frequency (RF) products make it easy and cost effective to install code-compliant controls in existing buildings, or wherever wired occupancy sensors aren’t the best fit. The product line includes dual relay controls not available from other manufacturers, as well as time-saving functionality.The sustainable product line includes a passive infrared (PIR) occupancy sensor, powered by unobtrusive energy-harvesting photovoltaic panels, with a prime 360° coverage pattern. One or more sensors can be paired with a variety...

MINNEAPOLIS—Swegon Inc. announced its North American launch of the ADAPT Parasol comfort module, a hybrid product uniting the energy-saving and comfort advantages of chilled beams and demand control ventilation. “The ADAPT Parasol is the first of Swegon’s demand controlled ventilation products to be modified to meet North American Industry standards,” said Mike Woolsey, President at Swegon “This follows the successful launch of ADAPT Parasol in Europe last year.”|ADAPT Parasol is the next generation comfort module style chilled beam. Chilled beams are ventilating and cooling devices with optional heating, mounted in the ceiling of rooms within commercial and institutional buildings....

WESTPORT, CONN.—Emerson Climate Technologies’ Next Generation Copeland Scroll variable speed compressor line was honored as the 2014 AHR Expo Product of the Year during the Innovation Award Ceremonies on January 22 at AHR Expo in New York City.The new Emerson product line was chosen as the Product of the Year from among the top Innovation Award winners in 10 industry-related categories. The Emerson product was the winner in the “Cooling” category. Featuring the company’s second generation of variable speed technology, the new product line can achieve cooling levels of 25+ SEER and heating efficiencies up to 13HSPF.Widely recognized as...