WEST CALDWELL, N.J.—Expanding its portfolio of LED products designed to save installers time and money, MaxLite introduces the J-Box Downlight as the easy and economical way to add high quality recessed lighting to residential and commercial spaces. The downlight is built with an integral junction box that eliminates the need for a traditional recessed housing during installation in new construction and retrofit projects. The fixture simply gets wired to a wall switch and placed into the ceiling—no can, bulb or extra labor required. MaxLite offers the J-Box Downlight in 4- and 6-inch diameters, and color temperatures of 2700K, 3000K and...

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF.—California Faucets introduces Aqua Pella, its latest Pixar-inspired video introducing the company’s new lineup of single-hole faucets. In the tradition of Tub Filler Fever, which went viral in the industry, Aqua Pella is the fun and memorable story of five faucets showing off their unique design personalities while performing before judges in a singing competition. The headliners stepping up to the stage in the video production include the clean-lined Arpeggio, the geometrically inspired Bel Canto and the sleek Zen-like Morro Bay. Each single-hole faucet in the group auditions in a different size or artisan finish from the company’s...

WOODRIDGE, ILL.—Gerber, an industry leader in high performing and decorative plumbing fixtures, has introduced its newest water-saving high-efficiency toilet—the Viper 1.0 Toilet. This two-piece high efficiency toilet flushes at 1.0 gallons per flush (3.8 liters per flush). The toilet is WaterSense certified, saving 20 percent in water consumption than recent 1.28 gpf toilet options. To ensure a powerful flushing performance (even at this lower flow rate), the Viper toilet has a 2” trapway (51 mm) for clog-free waste removal, a 3” flush valve (76 mm) for faster water flow and flushing power, and a best-in-class Fluidmaster 400A fill valve for durable,...

BROOKLYN, N.Y.—Great Eastern Energy (GEE), a licensed supplier of electricity, natural gas, and energy management solutions in the Northeast, announced the launch of their LED Retrofitting program. GEE’s suite of products are offered to help bring an energy-efficient lifestyle and sustainable business practices to their customers, making LED Retrofitting a natural extension of their product line. By offering a flexible financing program, they’re able to make LED Retrofitting available to businesses of all sizes. LED Retrofitting with Great Eastern Energy is a long-term investment that effectively reduces energy usage, thereby reducing costs. Upgrading to LED lighting can help lower operational...

TROY, OHIO—Providing restaurants and food service operations with both productivity and durability, Vulcan introduces the 35-pound, Energy Star certified VEG Series. Rated at 70,000 BTU/hr., the VEG fryer has a production capacity of 56.8 lbs./hr. and a 50 percent cooking efficiency rating. Compared to a standard economy fryer, the VEG cooks 10 lbs. more per hour and reduces operational costs. The VEG meets criteria to be Energy Star certified, making it eligible for rebates at time of purchase in many states (with some as high as $1,900), for an immediate payback on the unit. “With a large demand from dealers...

CHICAGO—J+J Flooring Group introduces its new Form + Finish Collection. The historic Pewabic pottery studio in Detroit provided the departure and destination point for J+J’s design team to immerse themselves in the time-honored crafts of pottery and glazing. Studying and working alongside skilled artisans, J+J’s designers abandoned all preconceived ideas of what a finished collection should look like. Instead, they simply designed to the element that spoke loudest to them. The result is six inspiring products that bring an unexpected yet sophisticated addition to any space. The six products in the collection include a plethora of texture, luster, pattern and...

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C.—With summer officially underway, Innovative Dehumidifier Systems knows that homeowners and property managers are looking for ways to balance indoor comfort and cooling costs. And with all the focus seemingly on thermostat settings, it’s easy to forget that relative humidity is equally important in creating a healthful and comfortable indoor environment, as well as saving on energy costs. Humidity levels naturally rise during the summer, as southerly winds transport tropical moisture into the continental United States. In general, warmer air can contain more moisture, and water evaporates more easily at higher temperatures. For many homeowners, summers are...

TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS—Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa has been awarded eco-burner’s very first Carbon Savings Certificate. Beaches Turks and Caicos are the first recipient of this carbon saving award for their dedication to saving the environment and making a difference for future generations. The resort, located on the islands of Turk and Caicos, has been using eco-burner for the last two years, changing from traditional chemical chafing fuel methods to eco-burner’s safer, cleaner and greener solution. In this time they have made the colossal saving of 79 tons of carbon emissions saving the same amount...

PHOENIX—Hotels4Humanity.com, an American hotel and lodging supply company that focuses on win-win bottom lines and community engagement, this week received word that their latest donation of hotel-sized body wash bottles was put to good use for children, teens, and domestic violence victims in the greater Arizona area. Having contributed a plethora of differently sized, durable bottles, Hotels4Humanity.com was able to help the Dream Center in Phoenix, the Salvation Army’s homeless teen outreach and domestic violence shelter, the Canyon State Academy Youth Village in Queen Creek, the Department of Child Safety, one mission church in Chandler, and one church that helps...

ATLANTA—Showcasing the private sector’s power to create a climate fit for life, Interface unveiled a first-of-its-kind prototype carbon negative carpet tile. Interface’s “Proof Positive” tile proves that with new approaches to materials sourcing and manufacturing, it is possible to make a product with the potential to reverse global warming. After the tile is made, there is less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than if it had not been manufactured in the first place. “We created this Proof Positive tile to inspire our customers, our industry, and the world to think more broadly about taking on the climate challenge in a...