GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet, Inc., a leading provider of centrally managed solutions for integrated energy management, networking, building automation and proactive support services, has won the contract to supply Main Street Developers with Telkonet SmartEnergy (TSE), with the first systems being installed in four new properties during 2008 and early 2009. The hotel development company selected Telkonet after extensive evaluation of competitive energy management solutions, singling out Telkonet’s patented Recovery Time™ technology as a major factor in the contract award. With six to 10 franchised hotel projects underway each year, Main Street Developers plans to implement TSE universally as a core element...

BOSTON—Bartech, a leader in automatic minibar systems for the hospitality industry, is teaming with Ember, a leader in ZigBee technology, to provide hotels worldwide with real-time status and charges from in-room minibars. The ZigBee-enabled system helps hotels provide a better guest experience while improving staff efficiency by wirelessly monitoring in-room refreshment centers remotely. Typically, attendants in hotels have to “blindly” visit every room to check on inventory and replenish minibars, resulting in staff inefficiencies and inconvenience to guests. But Bartech’s Web-based dot.net software can now report which products need to be replenished in a specific room. Additionally, minibar doors can...

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF International announced that Mannington is the first floor covering company to be independently certified to NSF Draft Standard 332-2007 Gold Certification for commercial inlaid resilient flooring. The new NSF Draft Standard provides an effective means to evaluate the sustainability of floor coverings. As products with sustainability claims continue to inundate the market, NSF 332 provides end users with the most credible sustainability or “green” claim available in the marketplace—independent certification. This certification also allows consumers to make informed decisions when it comes to understanding and purchasing such products. Certification recognizes the Mannington brand as an environmentally preferable product...

BOSTON—With the launch of its free energy and carbon assessment software tool, Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) has made a global commitment to the sustainable building design movement. IES’s VE-Ware, which is available to download for free online, gives limited but valuable access to its world leading Virtual Environment Apache thermal analysis software. New and existing buildings can now have their energy and carbon emissions easily assessed for free. VE-Ware will help increase the energy efficiency of the world’s buildings, both domestic and commercial, by giving instant feedback on a building’s energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions based on real geometry,...

COOPERSBURG, PA.—As consumers and businesses struggle with the myriad light bulb choices available to achieve energy efficiency and other objectives, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., has created an easy-to-read website designed to answer the basic question, “What is the best light bulb for me?” The new site—www.lutron.com/bulbs—compares standard-socket (E26) incandescent, screw-in compact fluorescent (CFL) and halogen bulbs. The bulbs are evaluated in a variety of categories, including efficiency, price, performance, controllability and quality of light. According to the site: • Incandescent bulbs provide rich, warm light quality, excellent color rendering and controllability, but are the least efficient. • Screw-in CFL bulbs are generally...

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG Electronics, one of the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturers, unveiled its new MULTI VTM series of commercial air conditioners. The new series launches the company’s extensive portfolio of applied commercial air-conditioning products into the U.S. market, and features design flexibility, industry-leading efficiency, low noise levels and one of the longest refrigeration piping lengths available. “Launching our advanced MULTI V commercial air-conditioning series into the U.S. market builds on LG Electronics’ position as one of the world’s largest suppliers of commercial and residential air conditioner units,” said Steve Schmitt, director, Commercial Air Conditioning, LG Electronics USA, Inc. “The...

PHOENIX, ARIZ.—ARAMARK Parks & Resorts, a division of ARAMARK Harrison Lodging, announced that it has chosen Renewable Choice Energy, the award-winning, full-service provider of renewable energy credits and carbon offsets, and Bonneville Environmental Foundation, to continue its traditional energy offset program. In 2007, ARAMARK began offsetting 100 percent of its traditional energy consumption with alternative energy solutions at its national and state park managed properties. ARAMARK has purchased 17,152,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power in Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that this purchase helps avoid the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced...

VISTA, CALIF.—Nearly 100 commercial, educational, and government building facility managers, who have installed waterless or no-water urinal systems in their facilities, were asked their thoughts on waterless or no-flush urinals. “This is one of the few surveys taken on the subject,” says Klaus Reichardt, founder and managing partner of Waterless Co. LLC, the oldest U.S. manufacturer of waterless urinals. “However, with the growing interest in greening building operations, the systems are becoming quite common and are now found in many locations.” As to overall opinions, when asked if they had a choice between installing conventional or waterless urinals again, 60 percent...

FERNLEY, NEV.— Polyglass USA, a leading manufacturer of modified bitumen roofing products, has introduced its Kool Roof Solutions Package, which includes its Polykool, Polybianko and Polyfresko self-adhesive roofing membranes. These high-performance white membranes are designed to provide superior reflectivity and energy efficiency for low-slope roofing applications. Manufactured with patented ADESO dual-compound technology, Polyglass’ Kool Roof Solution membranes combine a top ply of APP modified bitumen compound with a self-adhesive bottom ply, providing durability and waterproofing protection. This self-adhesive technology also provides a safe, easy and efficient application, eliminating the need for fasteners and other installation accessories. Polykool, Polybianko and...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Free Clean Solar as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The Free Clean Solar website provides a list of solar installers as well as lenders that finance solar panel installations for hotels, restaurants and casinos. The company’s solar power calculator tool shows how to save money on utility bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The website makes it easy to get quotes on solar projects and provides access to rebate information. For additional information, call (888) 498-3331, e-mail info@freecleansolar.com, or go to www.freecleansolar.com.