MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA—Rheem Water Heating recently became the first industry manufacturer to offer computer software specifically intended for sizing tankless water heaters for residential and commercial installations. Based on the widely used CertiSpec software for Rheem-Ruud commercial water heaters, the new EZ-Spec tankless software application is now available for download at www.rheemtankless.com in the “Products” menu. Simple to use, the new EZ-Spec offers drop-down menus and easy-to-understand fields. The user selects a specific application (single-family home, townhome/apartment; restaurant, school, health club, laundromat, hotel, etc.) from a drop-down menu and then enters relevant sizing data, fuel type, number of hot-water fixtures, input...

BOSTON—The Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston has just received official Energy Star status in recognition of its energy conservation and efficiency efforts. The hotel, built in 1963, has just completed a year-long effort to achieve this status. To that end, building automation systems were used to efficiently control the building’s energy consumption, coordinating HVAC, boilers, chillers and common area lighting. The guestroom energy management system manages heating and cooling when guests are not in their rooms and guestrooms are now lit by compact fluorescent lighting. “The overall guiding principle in decision making for all projects over the last year has...

MINNEAPOLIS—Honeywell introduced EXCEL 5000 OpenViewNet, a secure network device that connects the EXCEL 5000 family of controllers to the Internet, delivering remote, Web-based monitoring and control of heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems. “We’re bringing secure Web access to a legacy control system without forcing users to migrate to a new platform,” says Mike Taylor, vice president of Americas marketing, Honeywell Building Solutions. “With OpenViewNet, facility managers always have control of their EXCEL 5000 systems at their fingertips, saving time and increasing efficiency.” OpenViewNet gives users quick access to building data via Internet Explorer or a Pocket PC-enabled mobile device using...

OYARZUN, SPAIN—Onity has launched Intellity, its latest innovation in energy management solutions for the lodging industry. Intellity is an intelligent energy saving device that reads the magnetic stripe on Onity hotel-specific keycards to identify and differentiate guest and staff keycards, while disconnecting electrical equipment when guests are out of the room. Because it differentiates between guest and staff cards, it also can prevent hotel housekeeping staff from using certain electrical equipment, such as the television, while cleaning the room. Onity, a leading provider of electronic locking solutions, is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies...

GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet Inc., a leading technology solutions provider for broadband networking, end-to-end service support and energy management, announced the implementation of several significant energy management projects with major USA-based automation and control solutions companies for an energy efficiency program with a major utility in California. These programs, which are expected to generate 2007 revenue in excess of $5 million for Telkonet, are projected to save millions of kilowatt hours per year, and were specifically designed to help the utility meet its state energy conservation goals by reducing energy consumption in hotel and motel rooms throughout the utility’s northern and central...

CARLISLE, PA.—EcoStar, a leading manufacturer of premium steep slope roofing materials, is adding EcoVent to its line of premium accessories. EcoVent is a continuous tile-over ridge vent that efficiently removes hot, moist air from the attic space of a building. Vital to increasing the life span of a roof, EcoVent helps reduce cooling costs of a building while preventing moisture build-up in the attic space. EcoVent provides strength and offers durability and protection against rain, snow and ice, providing a breathable, yet efficient weather barrier in virtually every weather condition. Manufactured in 20-foot-long...

HALLOWELL, MAINE—The Maple Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast, located on 130 acres not far from Maine’s capital building, has earned a reputation as an environmental leader and deservedly so. Even though the property has just eight guestrooms, it is home to Maine’s largest solar array, has its own wind turbine, and was the first property in the state to receive Green Lodging Inn Certification from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Scott Cowger and Vincent Hannan are co-owners of the property and have owned it for 15 years. The investments they have made in the bed and breakfast primarily have...

SYRACUSE, N.Y.—The most recent advances in environmentally sound and energy-efficient commercial indoor air comfort technologies from Carrier Corp. are featured in a new traveling exhibit. Carrier is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. The Carrier Traveling Showcase is available for viewing exclusively through Carrier authorized sales locations. The 51-foot, 18-wheel trailer transforms into a living laboratory featuring a variety of the latest Carrier commercial product technologies: the Carrier Evergreen 23XRV variable speed screw chiller; the Carrier AERO Air Handling units; the Carrier Microchannel Heat Exchanger; the Carrier Centurion rooftop cooling units; and the Carrier 3V and i-Vu control systems. “The...

NATIONAL REPORT—Guestroom energy management systems that use keycards to activate or deactivate electrical power in the guestroom are very common in Europe and Asia. In the United States, however, acceptance of these types of systems has been slow and they are almost never found in hotels. However, with increasing concern about climate change, saving energy and cost cutting, this is beginning to change. Properties representing brands such as Kalahari Resorts, Orchard Garden, Embassy Suites, Westin, Holiday Inn and others are finding that keycard-based systems are not so bad after all. “Over the last year, there has been so much play about...

MINNEAPOLIS—Honeywell has introduced Roof Top Retro Commissioning, a service that improves the efficiency of roof top units (RTUs) used to heat and cool commercial facilities, and lowers the cost of operating this equipment by 5 to 20 percent on average. RTUs are one of the main energy consumers in a facility, and mechanical problems and poor maintenance can greatly increase utility bills. The Roof Top Retro Commissioning service centers on a handheld diagnostic tool—Honeywell Service Assistant—that pinpoints problems, suggests service work and displays the anticipated payback. Specifically, the tool calculates equipment energy use, capacity and cost-savings potential to optimize performance...