WEST HARTFORD, CONN.—Green Key Global, operator of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program (Green Key), announced that the Konover Hotel Corp. is the first management company in the United States to attain Green Key certification for its entire portfolio. While several hotel management companies have certified individual properties, Konover is the first with 100 percent adoption.Konover certified 17 select-service and economy hotels throughout New England (Connecticut) and the Midwest (Indiana, Kansas, Michigan), representing a variety of branded and independent properties. Several of the properties belong to brands with an existing partnership with Green Key, such as Microtel (via the Wyndham...

WOODLAND HILLS, CALIF.—Raindrip, a division of NDS, has earned certification under the requirements of the EPA WaterSense Specification for Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers as listed in ICC-ES PMG-1157. The evaluation verifies compliance to the specification.“It’s been a pleasure working with ICC-ES PMG during the final development phase of EPA’s WaterSense controller specification and throughout the testing and certification process for our controller,” said Dan Nourian, director of R&D at NDS, Inc. “Their knowledge of the certification process, professionalism, positive attitude, and the work they did to move quickly to certification completion sums up the great service offered by the entire...

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.—Delivering higher lumen output than MR16 fixtures while using 60 percent less power, WAC Lighting introduces Tesla LED Recessed Downlights which are Energy Star qualified for commercial and residential applications.Engineered with high output LED technology for thermal management and optics, the upgraded Tesla offers various styles and sizes. Tesla delivers an equal amount of footcandles using 50 percent less fixtures than its halogen counterparts for the same size space. This results in half the number of holes in the ceiling for a clean, architectural look. Designed with a low profile trim that is constructed of die cast...

DES PLAINES, ILL.—Chicago Faucets, a leading manufacturer of commercial faucets, has introduced its new electronic faucets brochure. The brochure features the Chicago Faucets HyTronic and E-Tronic 40 lines.The full-color brochure highlights the differences in Chicago Faucets products. The catalog features six styles and more than 60 unique configurations. Included in these styles are the new HyTronic Curve and HyTronic Edge.The Chicago Faucet Co. is part of the Geberit Group, a global provider of sanitary technology.Go to Chicago Faucets.

ADVANCE, N.C.—Beaufurn, a manufacturer of contract quality furniture that is built to suit a variety of locations, budgets and design needs and is environmentally responsible, announced that it is introducing the Terza Collection. This seating series is appropriate for both hospitality and office applications. Ideal for high traffic areas, the well-proportioned size of these pieces makes them perfect for such diverse locations as reception areas, malls and university libraries as well as all types of hospitality applications. The brushed steel frame and legs are both strong and refined. The models can be upholstered in the customer’s choice of fabrics. “This contemporary...

FAIRFAX, VA.—Omega World Travel, a woman-owned, fast-growing, award-winning global travel management company, announced its recent partnership with EcoKraft. EcoKraft provides its clients sustainable energy and environmental solutions to battle depleting natural resources and climate change with customized carbon asset management solutions. Omega will support EcoKraft’s mission by providing its clients with more sustainable travel management options so they can reach their corporate sustainability goals.  In the United States, federal agencies are required to compile their annual comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and uphold to the emissions standards that are managed by the Environmental Protection Agency as well as the...

TUCSON, ARIZ.—The Holiday Inn Express in Tucson Ariz., installed EZ-Efficiency’s BiO-Therm in an effort to reduce energy expenses and minimize their carbon footprint. This successfully reduced natural gas consumption by 42 percent, and decreased laundry drying time by 20 percent.The Holiday Inn Express wanted to reduce energy costs while positively effecting the environment. An extensive product evaluation process ended with the selection of the BiO-Therm. The BiO-Therm is a unique patent pending energy savings add-on to commercial laundry dryers which increases efficiency by leveraging EZ-Efficiency’s “gas stepping” technology.Pilot test results showed a potential for large scale energy savings and...

HOUSTON—Toshiba International Corp. announced the introduction of its new MR16 GU5.3 LED lamp that generates up to 540 lumens. Toshiba’s new MR16 GU5.3 500 series is a direct replacement for 50W halogen lamps. Using only 9.1 watts of energy, Toshiba’s new MR16 provides significant energy savings compared to conventional halogen lamps that use more than five times the wattage for the same lumen output. MR16s are ideal for a variety of applications that require directional light, such as track lighting, recessed ceiling lights, desk lamps and pendant fixtures.“The 50W halogen lamp is a staple lighting professionals frequently specify for...

BLYTHEWOOD, S.C.—Spirax Sarco released the RediHeat instantaneous water heater designed with a unique feed-forward temperature control system to instantly produce hot water within +/-4°F of the set temperature under widely varying demands. This performance makes the Rediheat the ideal solution for hot water applications where tight temperature control and instant response to changes in demand are required. The Rediheat features a spiral tubed helical heat exchanger for efficient heat transfer in a compact space. The rugged casing and bourdon tube configuration allows the entire assembly to expand and contract without localized stressing, ideal for intermittent cycling common with domestic...

TORRANCE, CALIF.—Farmer Brothers has launched Artisan Collection by Farmer Brothers, the company’s first specialty line of world-class coffees that are available through its nationwide direct-store-delivery (DSD) network. The line includes unique single origins as well as traditional coffeehouse favorites. Further, every bag of Artisan Collection coffees comes in innovative, one-way valved packaging to maintain a peak level of freshness and flavor. This unique line is one of the very few sustainably produced coffees sold at this scale through nationwide DSD distribution. As part of Farmer Brothers’ sustainability mission of reducing impact on the environment, these coffees are roasted in a...