OREM, UTAH—ILLUMRA, a leader in wireless battery-free controls, announced the release of a new solar-powered light sensor that can run indefinitely on a few hours of light a day. The new product, when used with other wireless devices, creates a daylight harvesting solution that is both easy to install and use. “The new light sensor gives building owners a powerful tool to control costs,” said Jan Finlinson, director at ILLUMRA. “By reducing electrical light levels in a room and taking advantage of the ambient light, we could greatly reduce the world’s $200+ billion light bill.” The ILLUMRA light sensor communicates to...

TROY, OHIO—For the fourth consecutive year, the Hobart Center for Foodservice Sustainability (HCFS) is awarding a $5,000 grant to the individual or company judged to have the best-executed foodservice or food retail sustainability project of the year. Submissions are currently being accepted, and the recipient will be announced at the 2010 Greenbuild Expo scheduled for November 16 to 19 in Chicago. “At a time when every dollar counts, the Hobart Center for Foodservice Sustainability is again able to offer an additional payback for the foodservice or food retail individual or company deemed to be a best practice leader,” said...

PHOENIX—The Doubletree Hotel, Austin, Texas became the 1,200th lodging property to complete iStayGreen.org’s online self-audit, earning a 2 Green Eco-Leaf Rating. The eco-rating allows the public to know the specific environmental initiatives in place at a property, which enables the environmentally conscious traveler to make informed lodging decisions. Properties complete the comprehensive online self-audit and earn a Green Eco-Leaf Rating ranging from 1 to 5 Eco-Leafs with 5 Green Eco-Leafs being the highest level attainable. Ratings are based on environmental initiatives in-place at the property. Only 20 properties have earned the coveted 5 Green Eco-Leaf Rating thus far; 12 in...

VERO BEACH, FLA.—David Francis will introduce new eco-chic lounge chairs at HD Expo. The event will be held May 19 to 21 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. As an environmentally responsible furniture designer, David Francis has been using natural materials to create luxurious furniture for more than 25 years. The most eye-catching and contemporary is the Fairmont Lounge Chair, constructed of plantation-grown mahogany and featuring an intricate rattan grid on all three sides. Pure whimsy, the Wilshire Lounge Chair mixes cane and rattan and features circular rattan accents on each side. For more traditional...

ROSWELL, GA.—Dectron Inc., a leading international manufacturer of indoor air quality equipment, introduces the DRY-O-TRON DSV Series, an energy-efficient dehumidifier designed for light commercial and residential indoor pool and spa areas. Besides Dectron’s signature feature of heat recovery for free pool water heating, the new DSV Series includes green features such as a variable frequency drive (VFD) controlled plenum fans, optional electronically-commutated motors (ECM), micro channel condensing coils, and the energy-saving Supervisaire controller. Additionally, DSV offers engineers and contractors a choice of three environmentally-friendly refrigerants: R-134a, R-407C or R-410A. “The new DSV is state-of-the-art energy efficiency and total designer indoor air...

MOORESTOWN, N.J.—Star Linen & Supply has announced the development and release of a new line of green terry products. Through a proprietary process and an exclusive distribution agreement, Star’s Marquis Green line of terry products are manufactured in a state-of-the-art zero discharge facility that produces no emission of effluents into rivers and streams. These products are also manufactured from pre-consumer regenerated cotton, thereby eliminating the need for land, water and pesticides. The company’s eco-friendly recycling certification is defined by the use of the pre-consumer cotton waste and cutting scraps (obtained from a closed-factory environment), GOTS certified dyes and detergents that...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—For the second year in a row, Broward County has selected Valley Forge Fabrics to receive one of the County’s 2009 Emerald Awards in the Green Product and Practices/Innovation category for environmental excellence. The Emerald Award is given annually by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners and Environmental Protection Department to honor businesses for exceptional commitment to protecting the environment. Valley Forge Fabrics, a leader in sustainable textiles and the largest producer of decorative fabrics for hospitality, launched its FRESH initiative more than four years ago. FRESH is an acronym for Fabrics Redefining Environmental Standards for Hospitality....

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Telkonet, Inc. unveiled an upgraded version of its Telkonet SmartEnergy (TSE) energy management thermostat, the SS5200 smart thermostat. The SS5200 is the newest member of Telkonet’s energy management smart thermostat family. The SS5200 incorporates modifications in both its hardware and software, including: increased options involving deep setback modes; freeze and overheat protection trip point that overrides set point/mode; increased Building Management System (BMS) integration; field selectable wireless transmitting power levels; and modular radio board for easy upgrades. With an even more expansive and capable processor, the SS5200 smart thermostat offers expanded data loggers for detailed energy saving statistics. “Management...

NEW DELHI—ITC Welcomgroup turned to the experts at Carrier Airconditioning & Refrigeration Ltd. (Carrier India) to provide an energy efficient cooling solution for the ITC Hotel Royal Gardenia, Bengaluru, which was recently awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rating by the Indian Green Building Council, making it the world’s largest and Asia’s first LEED Platinum rated green hotel, according to ITC. Carrier India is a subsidiary of Carrier Corp., which is a unit of United Technologies Corp. In alignment with LEED principles, the ITC Royal Gardenia is focused on delivering “Responsible Luxury.” According to its philosophy...

SOUTH EGREMONT, MASS.—Monarch Bath, Bed & Spa, a leading global provider of bathrobes and luxury hotel linens, announced that they have signed an exclusive agreement with The Comphy Company to provide their eco-friendly line of bed sheets to hotel markets worldwide. Comphy sheets are the latest addition to the MONARCH ECO product line, a complete line of hotel towels, robes and sheets designed to conserve water and reduce energy costs in the laundry operation, while maximizing comfort and durability. Comphy sheets are designed to provide superior luxury for guests, while protecting the bottom line for hoteliers. Made from 100 percent...