ROANOKE, VA.—The Rodeway Inn located in Castaic, Calif., just five minutes from Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif., has installed GEM System guestroom energy management in all 120 guestrooms, utilizing their existing Amana, Friedrich and GE PTAC units. GEM System is an innovative, infrared sensor-based guestroom energy management system that reduces guestroom energy costs by 35 percent to 45 percent. GEM System resets the room temperature to an energy conserving level, pre-selected by the hotel, only while the guest is out of the room. GEM System can connect to any brand and model of PTAC and will increase its...

ASHLAND CITY, TENN.—In its October issue, Consulting-Specifying Engineer (CSE)—a monthly publication with a circulation of more than 46,000 mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers—named A. O. Smith’s Cyclone Xi commercial water heater as a gold winner in its 2008 Product of the Year competition. “Competition was fierce this year; the judges had a hard time narrowing the finalists down to three for each category,” said Jim Langhenry, CSE publisher. “We take this as a sign that manufacturers are investing more in new-product R&D, which is a huge win for the building industry and the environment.” The innovative design of the Cyclone Xi...

NEW YORK—Business Technology Partners (BTP), a premiere New York City-based IT consulting and managed services firm, announced a strategic relationship with Control4, a leader in IP-based, ZigBee wireless control, automation, and entertainment systems. The relationship enables the companies to provide a complete end-to-end solution, including technology design and integration of entertainment and control systems for hotels and mixed-use commercial developments. The implementation of Control4 technology enhances the hotel guest experience by providing luxury, convenience, and enhanced services options. Through the use of a single remote, hotel guests will be able to operate the television and entertainment options, call room...

MINNEAPOLIS—McQuay now offers a complete line of R-410A large tonnage condensing units (50 to 140 tons) and split system air handling units. The condensing units feature an average EER of 10.6 which exceeds ASHRAE 90.1-2010 requirements and makes them ideal selections for sustainable buildings and LEED-certified projects. R-410A is an HFC refrigerant that has no ozone-depletion potential and faces no mandated phase-out date over a 20- to 30-year operating life expectancy, thus protecting both the owner’s investment and the environment. Per U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements, R-22 refrigerant cannot be used in new equipment as of 2010 and...

NIANTIC, CONN.—INNCOM International Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of guestroom automation systems for the international lodging industry, has enhanced the functionality of its newest solution—a design-centric energy management solution made of recyclable glass that controls room temperature, lighting and more. The complete Glass Series Smart Digital Thermostat, Switch and Tabletop Controller set are on display in booth 3232 at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York. “Since the initial launch of the INNCOM Glass Series in June, we have enhanced this ‘green’ solution to be even more interactive for guests and energy-efficient for hotels,” said INNCOM...

Can older hotels become energy efficient in a simple and cost-effective way? Yes, and it starts in the guestroom with some easily installed equipment that has a fast payback. Using the guestroom keycard to send the room into occupied or unoccupied mode gives the guest the control they expect, while saving properties money in empty rooms. There are a number of ways a 15- or 20-year-old hotel can see increases in the bottom line without major renovations or loss of available room nights. We all know that simple fixes like changing a light bulb can have a noticeable decrease in...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Magnum Energy Solutions LLC (GreenSwitch) as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. GreenSwitch manufactures a wireless in-room energy management system that reduces energy consumption in hospitality guestrooms by 25 percent to 45 percent. The system sets back the HVAC to an energy conserving temperature level when the room is unoccupied. It will also turn off selected lighting and eliminate all vampire power. The system generally has a payback period of less than 18 months. GreenSwitch technology was recently listed in the 2008 DOE Energy Star Building Upgrade...

ADELPHI, MD.—More than three years after earning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification—it was the first hotel in the United States to do so—Marriott’s University of Maryland University College Inn and Conference Center (UMUC ICC) is continuing its efforts to reduce its impact on the environment. The property, which includes 237 guestrooms and 11 suites, has recently stepped up its recycling efforts and has pledged to pursue Green Seal certification to ensure its continuous commitment to operational improvements. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, which manages the LEED program, UMUC ICC earned LEED certification for its 127-guestroom,...

NIANTIC, CONN.—The luxurious Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa has become the first Hyatt property to upgrade its energy management system with the environmentally-friendly ecoMODE option from INNCOM. Niantic-based INNCOM develops, manufactures and markets integrated room automation systems for the international hospitality industry. Situated on 40 acres along a three-mile stretch of the Ka’anapali Beach coastline, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa features guest suites accentuated with plantation-style wood furniture and Hawaiian elegance, and 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. The property is on Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” of Best Places to Stay in 2008...

GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet, Inc., a leading provider of innovative, centrally managed solutions for integrated energy management, networking, building automation and proactive support services, has won a contract with Columbia Sussex, a leading national developer and manager of more than 70 hotels and casinos across 30 states. Approximately 1,300 guestrooms in the Doubletree in Rochester, New York, the Sheraton in Philadelphia City Center, and the Westin in St. Maarten have been equipped with the versatile Telkonet SmartEnergy (TSE) in-room, occupancy-driven energy management system, with additional properties scheduled for TSE implementation by the end of the year. After a comprehensive analysis of competitive...