DUNEDIN, FLA.—With energy costs jumping as much as 50 percent or higher in some areas of the United States this past year, there is no better time to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive maintenance (PM) efforts. Without proper PM, energy is wasted and profits literally evaporate into thin air. Mintek Mobile Data Solutions, a provider of asset management tools such as WinTrack PM, offers the following 10 tips to reduce the impact of escalating energy costs: 1. Improperly maintained air handlers can waste up to 32 percent of the energy they consume. Check HVAC controls for proper calibration. Also...

CHICAGO—Everpure LLC announced the launch of its Micro-Pure II technology at the National Restaurant Association Show in May. The Micro-Pure II filter offers safe, effective and long-lasting protection against the potential growth of bacteria in the filtering system. Everpure’s original Micro-Pure filters already provided consumers with chlorine reduction, odor removal and sub-micron particle capture. Enhancing upon this already popular technology, the new Micro-Pure II filter makes use of AgION antimicrobial technology, which ensures the best system performance for a greater length of time. The AgION technology prevents bacteria, mold and fungus from growing and multiplying on the...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—The U.S. lodging industry consumes billions of bars of soap and bottles of bathroom amenities every year. Now, thanks to a new partnership between Custom Amenities Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, and Saint Charles, Mo.-based Pineapple Hospitality Inc., hoteliers can provide all the guestroom amenities travelers have come to expect with a product line called Environmentally Sensitive Amenities (ESA). It features dozens of 100 percent biodegradable guest toiletries and other amenities with a variety of product packaging. “We are enthusiastic about ESA and its growth in Canada and we are excited to be working with Pineapple Hospitality...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—FreshStay is adding 20 to 30 properties per month to its rapidly growing network of smoke-free lodging establishments. Launched in January, the www.freshstay.com online directory of hotels offering better indoor air products and practices already has more than 225 nonsmoking member properties, including an increasing number of boutique hotels, extended-stay properties and resorts coast to coast. Ray Burger, president of Saint Charles, Mo.-based Pineapple Hospitality, revealed the states and cities that are most active in the nation’s growing smoke-free lodging movement as follows: Top Five States in FreshStay Directory California—47 smoke-free lodging properties in...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—ScentAir, a leading provider of scent branding solutions for retailers and brand marketers, has signed a nationwide agreement with Omni Hotels to incorporate ScentAir’s scent machines and a signature fragrance into each of the luxury hotel brand’s properties. ScentAir, with distribution partner Muzak LLC, signed the agreement. Muzak, a music and audio messaging provider, is distributing ScentAir’s scents and scent machines in conjunction with its music service as a way to complete the sensory branding experience for its clients. Omni Hotels has been crafting its own experience for customers for years. The company chose a fragrance...

PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO—Enviro-Solutions, a leading chemical manufacturer of environmentally preferable cleaning products, announced they have agreed to help sponsor Green Seal’s development of a Green Cleaning Services standard for facility service providers (FSPs). The new Green Cleaning Services standard, which has been highly anticipated by many in the jan/san industry, will help FSPs develop and implement environmentally responsible cleaning procedures as well as instruct them on the use of green cleaning chemicals, equipment, and other products. Additionally, the standard will become the basis for verification and certification of green cleaning services throughout the industry. “The program will be...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Sherwin-Williams has introduced its new ProClassic High Gloss Waterborne Interior Acrylic Enamel for interior jobs where an ultra-high-gloss finish is preferred. Formulated to meet or exceed GS-11 criteria for coatings in LEED-certified buildings, ProClassic Waterborne Enamel combines the performance characteristics of an alkyd with the environmental benefits of a waterborne. With ProClassic High Gloss waterborne, contractors will get an ultra-smooth finish with no brush or roller marks that stands up to repeated washing and daily abuse. Its wet and dry hide means that fewer coats can be applied, saving time and money. Like ProClassic Waterborne...

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—Friedrich Air Conditioning Co. San Antonio, Texas, maker of the C-90A electronic air cleaner, announced that it is introducing second-generation air cleaning technology with even better effectiveness ratings. The new C-90B, which will replace the C-90A, features high Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADR) for pollen, dust and tobacco. The C-90B is AHAM rated for up to 506 square feet and boasts clean air delivery rates that are up to 18 percent higher than its predecessor. The C-90B boasts a pollen CADR of 421. Like its forerunner, the C-90B air cleaner uses three-stage cleaning for maximum results....

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp. announced that it has received the inaugural Energy Star Sustained Excellence 2006 Award from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This award is given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding environmental leadership year after year, while sustaining product and marketing excellence. This unique honor represents the company’s seventh Energy Star Award win. Whirlpool was recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in March. Whirlpool Corporation, an Energy Star partner since 1998, was honored for its leadership in designing, manufacturing and marketing resource efficient home...