DALLAS—Lennox has developed a commercial HVAC unit that integrates directly with a solar-energy system. The patent-pending SunSource Commercial Energy System collects energy from the sun, feeds it directly into a solar-ready Energence rooftop unit, and supplies any excess electricity to the rest of the building or to the power grid. Designed to reduce business energy spending and emissions, the SunSource system can effectively double the Energence rooftop unit’s efficiency rating—from 17.0 SEER to an effective efficiency level of 34 SEER and beyond. In certain regions adding additional solar modules can help the rooftop unit achieve net-zero energy status, as the...

GARDEN CITY, N.Y.—Combining craftsmanship and old world styling with the flexibility and performance of modern track lighting, WAC Lighting introduces Cartier LED track luminaires. From the instrument-like engineering and hand finishes to the onyx crystal details, Cartier LED track luminaires have been designed for upscale residential and commercial spaces.  Utilizing state-of-the-art, multi-chip LED technology, this 12-watt luminaire projects a strong amount of light. With models offering a light output up to 625 lumens, Cartier exceeds Energy Star requirements and is a direct replacement for a 50-watt MR16. Cartier was crafted and designed exclusively in the company’s clean manufacturing campus with...

BOSTON—CAN2GO, a leading provider of wired and wireless controllers for building automation, is enabling companies to cut up to 40 percent off their building wireless automation installation labor costs with the help of ZigBee networking technology from Ember. CAN2GO controllers, which offer a variety of wired and wireless networking and control options, provide the missing link in building automation, allowing facility managers, contractors and OEM manufacturers to deploy integrated solutions for HVAC, lighting and other applications. Important labor savings are attained when the controllers are networked via self-forming and self-healing wireless mesh networking systems from Ember. A recent project in a...

KISSIMMEE, FLA.—In an effort to contribute to global ecological initiatives, Island One Resorts, with properties in the Orlando marketplace and Florida locations, is adding a new line of environmentally responsible guestroom toiletries, ERP, from Concept Amenities, based in Melbourne, Australia.The Eco Fresh collection has a citrus fragrance. Liquids and soaps are formulated with essential ingredients to maintain moisture for healthy skin and hair and include shampoo, conditioner; hand & body wash and hand & body lotion; along with an assortment of grooming accessories. The Eco Fresh packaging is manufactured with an organic additive that renders polymers biodegradable when disposed...

SAN DIEGO—Energy Eye, Inc., an international provider of hotel guestroom energy management controls, announced that it has formed a distribution partnership with the Moroccan company RIO (Reduce, Invent, Optimize). “We are extremely excited to work with RIO,” said Phillip Kopp, COO of Energy Eye. “RIO’s focus on energy efficiency and unparalleled strength in the Moroccan marketplace is well-known throughout the region. Most importantly, their commitment to accreditation—they are certified by both the Moroccan National Agency for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, as well as the Efficiency Valuation Organization—closely matches Energy Eye’s own focus on delivering tested, proven results that...

PRINCETON, N.J.—Dynamic Air Quality Solutions, a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance indoor air quality products, showcased its V8 air cleaning system at this year’s AHR Expo. Dynamic air cleaning systems utilize a technology called non-ionizing, polarized-media, which significantly reduces the energy and environmental footprint of an HVAC’s filtration system. Over the past five years, Dynamic has helped building owners save more than 78 million kWh in fan energy alone. When Dynamic Air Cleaners are used as a substitute to high-efficiency passive filters, the savings can be as great as 75 percent less than fan energy. Maintenance is also dramatically...

OAKLAND, CALIF.—A leader in the creative use of recycled metals, Móz Designs introduces Blendz Sculptures, laser-cut metal wall art that heightens visual interest in a hotel or restaurant setting. Each Blendz Sculpture is composed of a series of panels that “interface” in geometric or curvilinear patterns to create a singular work of art. Though available in standard configurations and sizes, each Blendz Sculpture is considered unique because of the hand-etched patterns and rich Blendz color overlay featured within each piece. Blendz laser-cut wall art can be installed in lobbies, guestrooms, halls, restaurants, bars and lounges and in resort settings. Standard...

NEW YORK—The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus has recommended that Applied Textiles and Nano-Tex, Inc. discontinue a wide range of advertising claims made for three fabric-coating products—Nano-Tex, Nano-Tex with Durablock, and Nano-Tex with BioAM. NAD, the advertising industry’s self-regulatory forum, examined the claims made by Applied Textiles and Nano-Tex, Inc., following a challenge by Crypton, Inc., a competing textile manufacturer.  A key issue in NAD’s review was print and Internet advertising claims that the treated fabric produced by the advertisers was “certified,” “compliant,” or “approved” by federal agencies that include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Crossville’s new Sustainable Samples kit, which contains realistic “tile” samples made of recycled and recyclable card-stock, has been created using advanced high-resolution imaging technology to capture a near-exact visual of each tile. This earth-friendly chip kit contains every tile and every color in Crossville’s Porcelain Stone collection—more than 230 colors—in a compact, lightweight kit that is about 10" x 10" x 4". It is intended to help architects and designers make preliminary color and product selections, allowing them to have an entire product line in their libraries in a minimum of space. The back of the tile has a...

SPRINGDALE, ARK.—MoistureShield composite decking products from Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies (A.E.R.T.) are now verified with 95 percent total recycled content—up from the 90 percent total recycled content previously listed in company literature. A report issued by the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) provides independent verification of 57 percent pre-consumer recycled content and 38 percent post-consumer recycled content. The report also gives design and building professionals a fast and easy way to see how MoistureShield composite decking can help contribute towards rating points under leading green building programs. “Composite decking brands vary greatly in their amount of recycled content,” says...