NEW YORK—Xero Flor America (XFA) announced the selection of the Xero Flor Green Roof System for the 292,000-square-foot green roof being installed atop the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York. With 840,000 gross square feet of exhibit space, the Javits Center is New York City’s largest convention center and hosts about 150 events annually. Headquartered in Durham, N.C., XFA is the official and exclusive distributor in the United States of the Xero Flor Green Roof System from XeroFlor Green Solutions, which is based in Germany.The Javits Center has embarked on a major renovation project that includes replacement...

WESTPORT, CONN.—Rheem Manufacturing Co. was selected as the 2013 AHR Expo Product of the Year Award winner for its H2AC Rooftop Unit, a restaurant integrated AC and water heating system.During a special ceremony at the world’s largest HVACR expo in Dallas on January 29, it was announced that the product that Rheem entered was selected from among the 10 AHR Expo Innovation Award winners as the Product of the Year. The new product features refrigerant-to-water heat recovery that can reduce the water heater’s energy consumption by an estimated 50 percent. Rheem was an Innovation Award winner in the Cooling...

DECATUR, GA.—Seresco USA Inc., a leading manufacturer of HVAC indoor air quality equipment, has introduced the “Protocol” (NP) Series, new indoor swimming pool dehumidifier technology that reduces refrigerant use by up to 85 percent and is more efficient than conventional DX dehumidifiers.The NP-Series ranges from 18 to 140-ton units that provide energy-efficient natatorium space heating/cooling and optimum humidity control, while also offering free pool water heating and reheat through heat recovery.Named for the 1997 Kyoto Protocol environmental treaty, the Protocol Series substitutes hundreds of pounds of vapor compression refrigerants commonly used in traditional natatorium dehumidifiers with glycol that’s 95...

LAS VEGAS—Panasonic Eco Products Division introduces a “greener” option for builders and remodelers at the 2013 International Builders’ Show (IBS), with the expansion of its popular line of WhisperGreen ventilation fans to include LED technology. Available starting March 2013, the WhisperGreen LED is an ENERGY STAR rated fan/light that provides spot and/or whole house ventilation for cleaner indoor air quality, with added LED illumination.Panasonic has combined two life-long technologies to develop the energy efficient fan/light solution. Utilizing only 7.5 Watts, the 80 CFM WhisperGreen LED FV-08VKSE3 and FV-08VKME3 are more energy efficient than ENERY STAR standards, and the 12-watt...

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.    —ClearWater Tech, LLC (CWT), provider of EcoTex O3 ozone cold water laundering systems, has added two new videos to the Service and Maintenance playlist on YouTube: “Changing the Inline Particulate Filter” and “UV Ozone Lamp Replacement.”“No other ozone provider comes close to matching our YouTube Library,” asserts Marc DeBrum, CWT assistant sales manager and applications engineer. “Three years ago we launched the library as a way to give customers and prospects convenient access to ClearWater products along with service information. Our collection now includes 24 videos in three playlists: EcoTex O3 Laundry Systems, the Service...

PEACHTREE CITY, GA.—Takashi Sonoda was recently appointed president of Rinnai America Corp. He is a 30-year veteran of the company. Sonoda previously managed a 400-person staff at the company’s Brazil facility and most recently served as president of Rinnai R. B. Controls Co., Ltd., in Japan.“Takashi brings a unique perspective,” said Yuzo Yoshida, general manager of overseas business headquarters at Rinnai. “His extensive global-industry background, strong management skills, and logistics and sales experience are valuable additions to the Rinnai America team.”In addition to welcoming a new president, Rinnai America is growing its advisory committee. Phil Weeks, previously the COO...

TROY, OHIO—Hobart introduces its LXe and Advansys LXe Undercounter Warewashers. The LXe base model and Advansys LXe, which is available in high-temp and low-temp models, have been designed from the ground up to support best-in-class wash performance and are Energy Star qualified for energy- and water-saving capabilities. “Operators can choose the standard LXe model or upgrade to the Advansys LXe for advanced energy, water and cost savings compared with traditional undercounter warewashers,” said Carrie Hoff, product line manager, Hobart Warewash. “All three models occupy a small undercounter footprint and include features that simplify operation and maintenance, which can help...

NATIONAL REPORT—Ten years ago, an infrared camera cost $50,000. Today, according to John Keane, director, Infrared Training Center, Nashua, N.H., one can purchase this type of camera for as little as $2,000. That price drop has made infrared imaging, also known as infrared thermography, more practical in a hotel environment. “The most common application is electrical inspections—looking for hot spots caused by bad connections, current overload, or other problems,” Keane says. “It would be common for a hotel to want to have all of its electrical infrastructure inspected, from the substation outside all the way to the electrical panels...

PORT ORFORD, ORE.—“It feels like you are on another planet.” That is how Michelle Duarte describes the WildSpring Guest Habitat that she and her husband own along the coast of Oregon in Port Orford. Their small, eco-friendly resort sits on five acres of 100-foot trees and includes five cabins. “The cabins are built like small homes,” Duarte says. “They are not rustic.”Just about everything possible was done to minimize the environmental footprint of the five cabin suites. Duarte’s husband, Dean, who once worked on Hollywood sets in construction, played an integral part in the building of the cabins. Only...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Telkonet, Inc., developer of the EcoSmart energy management platform featuring Recovery Time technology, announced continuing demand for its EcoSmart technology with a completed installation at Park Hyatt Chicago.Park Hyatt Chicago installed Telkonet’s EcoInsight energy management thermostats in all 198 guestrooms, including 13 suites. Located in Chicago’s Gold Coast Historic District, Park Hyatt Chicago joins several of Telkonet’s neighboring hospitality clients, including a 1,200-room luxury hotel property. The EcoInsight, integrated with the company’s Recovery Time technology, is a programmable, controllable thermostat with more than 125 configurable settings used to control the efficiency of a property’s heating, ventilating and air-conditioning...