HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF.—California Faucets introduces BËL, a multifunction showerhead inspired by classic architectural forms and traditional elegance. The new showerhead design is the latest addition to the StyleFlow family of multifunction showerheads and handhelds that feature Swiss Shower Technology.“BËL answers a need in bathroom design for traditional style multifunction showerheads and handshowers,” says Noah Taft, California Faucets Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “Given the cutting edge nature of multifunction showerheads, most are offered in contemporary or transitional styles, yet we live in a country where traditional décor continually outsells that of contemporary. BËL, with its beautiful tulip...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Those looking for assurance that ozone laundry technology does indeed reduce energy, water and related costs can find proof in study results recently released by the U.S. Department of Energy (D.O.E.) Building Technologies Office. The D.O.E., with the assistance of outside consultants, conducted a demonstration project to evaluate ozone laundry technologies for reducing the energy and water use of multi-load washers in healthcare and hospitality facilities.The D.O.E. report, entitled, “Demonstration of Advanced Technologies for Multi-Load Washers in Hospitality and Healthcare—Ozone Based Laundry Systems,” documents the demonstration of two ozone laundry system installations. The first installation took place at...

EAGLE BEACH, ARUBA—Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts has taken the pledge to be a part of the Water Sense H2Otel Challenge. Water Sense is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partnership program designed to help save water for future generations. Bucuti is the only resort outside of the United States and North America that has taken this initiative at this time.The initial step of the program is “ACT”: assess water use and savings opportunities; change products or processes to incorporate best management practices; and track results. Upon assessment, Bucuti will begin replacing existing products with Water Sense-labeled models. Simply...

OAHU, HAWAII—Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu, Hawaii, has completed the installation of an innovative green roof that covers a total of approximately 60,000 square feet as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability.“We are dedicated to preserving Hawaii’s delicate and natural resources as stewards of the land,” said Scott McCormack, Vice President of Real Estate for Turtle Bay Resort. “We have received positive feedback from our resort guests who appreciate the project’s eco-friendly benefits and are enjoying enhanced guestroom views of the ocean and landscape art atop the newly designed roofs.”The lower flat roofs of Turtle Bay Hotel were completely...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Xeros as a Founding Sponsor. According to Xeros, its polymer bead technology significantly reduces laundry costs, increases the life of linens, and helps hotels advance their commitment to green operations. The system uses up to 80 percent less water, 50 percent less energy, and approximately 50 percent less detergent as compared to conventional washing. The reusable beads have a lifespan of hundreds of washes before being collected and recycled.Xeros’ polymer beads replace water as the primary cleaning agent, reducing the amount of water needed to get items...

NATIONAL REPORT—Selecting an ice machine is a major purchase consideration for any hotel manager. The energy used in the average hotel restaurant for refrigeration and ice production is between 13 and 18 percent of overall energy costs for that section. Saving money on these costs not only helps the environment, but also helps the bottom line. How can we reduce energy usage and water usage while still generating enough ice to maintain service quality? Water efficiency in ice machines is based on number of gallons per 100 pounds of ice produced. This can range between 18 gallons to 200 gallons...

MORROW, GA.—TOTO, the largest plumbing manufacturer in the world with $5.1 billion dollars in annual sales, announced that the company is increasing its market reach in the Northeast region of the United States by entering into a distribution agreement with Blackman Plumbing Supply. TOTO’s full line of residential and commercial fittings and fixtures are available at all of Blackman’s 19 branch locations throughout Long Island, New York, and New Jersey and will be on display in all Blackman showrooms.“Blackman Plumbing is proud to deepen our partnership with TOTO, an industry leader known for anticipating and creating the next generation...

WOODRIDGE, ILL.—Gerber Plumbing Fixtures recently unveiled its new Avalanche CT high efficiency toilet (Model # 21-019). The Avalanche CT (which stands for concealed trapway) toilet features a one-piece configuration and a concealed trapway—both features that cater to a desire for easy cleaning and simple, attractive design.Avalanche CT, available in white, is offered as an ErgoHeight (ADA compliant) elongated toilet.  The toilet operates at 1.28 gallons per flush, is WaterSense certified for water efficiency and performance, and uses the industry’s best components (Fluidmaster fill valve, 3” flush valve, dual siphon jet and more). “The contemporary stylized look of this toilet is...

COARSEGOLD, CALIF.—High Sierra Showerheads has introduced its new 1.8 gallon-per-minute (gpm) showerhead fixture, which joins the company’s 1.5 gpm model in its line of water-saving shower devices. The new showerhead is an efficient option for those looking to cut down on water consumption and utility costs, using 25 percent less water than standard 2.5 gpm low-flow units, the company says. To optimize efficiency but still provide a satisfactory water flow, the nozzle uses High Sierra’s patented Full Coverage Spray technology, designed to deliver the water stream in a full and strong spray of large drops.The 1.8 gpm showerhead is...

DEATH VALLEY, CALIF.—In keeping with its “pillars of sustainability,” the AAA Four Diamond Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park has enacted a series of initiatives designed to minimize the impact of its operations and of its guests. The resort has put in place programs to reduce waste and water usage, generate electricity and offer sustainable choices to its guests.Those efforts are working as the resort reports solid waste has been reduced by 44 percent, water usage has dropped 19 percent and electricity use is down 18 percent since 2010. In that same time period sustainably sourced food...