TACOMA, WASH.—Premier SIPS by Insulfoam has received FSC Chain of Custody certification for the oriented strand board (OSB) it uses in its structural insulated panels (SIPs). FSC certified forest products are verified from the forest of origin through the supply chain (FSC-C109396). The FSC label ensures that the forest products used are from responsibly harvested and verified sources. “Using FSC certified wood products provides building professionals who use SIPs with an additional way to earn points under leading green building rating systems,” said James Hodgson, general manager for Premier SIPS. “We’re pleased to be able to offer this option to...

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc., a producer of energy-efficient lighting and control solutions, introduces the new patent-pending WSD NGX (Neutral/Ground Exchangeable) wall switch sensor as an addition to its Sensor Switch line of occupancy sensors. This new sensor provides an innovative and contractor-friendly solution to meet the neutral/ground wiring requirements under the 2011 National Electric Code (“NEC 2011”) without having to purchase a dedicated unit.The WSD NGX sensor can use either the neutral conductor required by NEC 2011 for new construction projects, or it can use the ground connection, which is a common wiring method for many retrofit applications. The sensor’s...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Sherwin Williams is in the process of developing new, biobased paints using soybeans. Because of the potential for biobased products to create new markets for soybeans, U.S. soybean farmers have invested millions of dollars to research, test and promote soy biobased products. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is excited about the potential for this growing industry and visited the Sherwin-Williams John G. Breen Technology research facility in Cleveland on March 16 to highlight how the biobased products industry is creating new economic opportunities for Ohio agriculture. Vilsack was joined at the event by Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and Chris...

DES PLAINES, ILL.—Chicago Faucets, the leading manufacturer of commercial faucets, has introduced its new 2012 Commercial Catalog. The new catalog features an extensive line of products currently available from Chicago Faucets, as well as new products that will be launched this year. The full-color, comprehensive catalog was designed to make it easy to find the right faucet, fitting or component for any application. Product images and descriptions highlight the unique benefits of Chicago Faucet products. The catalog also features Chicago Faucets’ new line of lavatory metering faucets, the 3500 Series. Sleek, stylish and affordable, the 3500 Series offers a modern look...

PHOENIX—Phoenix-based Easy Energy has just announced the completed installation of a solar water heating system at the newly renovated Holiday Inn North Phoenix. The solar water heating system is designed to harvest and store 3,000 gallons of solar heated water each day for the hotel’s 174 guestrooms. “Solar Water Heating is an effective and reliable renewable technology for the Phoenix climate,” says Brian Bartel, managing member of Easy Energy. “Solar water heating can easily compete with natural gas for heating water by partnering with local suppliers, capturing state utility rebates and engaging financiers who seek to invest in renewable technology.” The...

NEW YORK—An industry leader in room air conditioners, Haier is introducing a new line of Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs) designed to offer reliability, quality, and comfort for consumers who are the end users of traditional PTAC applications. Applications include hotels and motels, senior care facilities, dormitories, military housing, and some residential applications. For many years now, Haier has dedicated itself to making home comfort products that are energy efficient, quiet, easy to maintain, and most importantly, that cool or heat properly and efficiently. With this in mind, Haier’s PTAC line includes features like an attractive digital thermostat module that...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Verbatim Americas, LLC, a member of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC) group, announces the official Energy Star qualification of its new line of PAR-type retrofit LED lamps, all with the quality and energy efficiency requirement set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Certified based on strict criteria, Verbatim Energy Star LED lamps assure users high efficiency and long lifetime with consistent color output, translating into considerable reductions in energy consumption and maintenance costs. Verbatim Energy Star LED lamps qualify for utility rebates and are backed by a five year warranty. Verbatim’s Energy Star qualified LED...

COOPERSBURG, PA.—Lutron Electronics has introduced updates to its Energi TriPak family of energy-saving products including stairwell retrofit solutions and simple energy retrofit packages for small commercial spaces. The flexible Energi TriPak product family allows users to select a mix of components to best meet the needs of their space and save energy. New, energy retrofit packages allow contractors to order one model number that includes all the components necessary for a simple, dual voltage switching solution with occupancy sensing. Each package includes a Maestro Wireless switch with Claro faceplate and either a wireless, ceiling-mount occupancy/vacancy sensor, or wireless, ceiling-mount vacancy-only...

LOUISVILLE, KY.—GE Appliances & Lighting has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award for the seventh consecutive year. GE Appliances & Lighting supports the Energy Star program through a variety of initiatives, including training sales employees, retailers and distributors; promoting Energy Star-qualified products; and recycling at company locations. For example, in 2011, GE Appliance Park in Louisville recycled 10,000 gross tons of factory and office materials. GE representatives received the award at a March 15 ceremony in Washington, D.C. “As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Energy Star program, EPA is proud to recognize GE Appliances...

GLATTBRUGG, SWITZERLAND—All 21 Mövenpick Hotels in Europe are now Green Globe certified. “We have been very committed to achieving Green Globe certification across all our properties in Europe and in the process enjoyed very positive feedback and engagement from our employees,” said Ola Ivarsson, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ chief operating officer Europe. Along with the certification process Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts aimed to encourage all employees to learn more about environmental and sustainability issues and use that knowledge at work and home. To achieve this, the company developed its own unique e-learning tool kit that all employees could access online. All...