MORROW, GA.—TOTO’s two new Maris dual-flush, high-efficiency toilets (HETs) exemplify mid-century Modernism reinterpreted for today with their clean-line design. They join the Maris semi-recessed and undermount lavatories.The Maris two-piece toilet appeals to design professionals with its clean contemporary lines, recessed-curve tank style, and elongated-front bowl. A push/pull trip lever activates its gravity-fed, dual-flush system—push for a light flush (0.9 gpf); pull for a full flush (1.28 gpf). This Universal Height model is ADA compliant, and its skirted design saves owners’ time by making it very easy to clean.A common complaint that many dual-flush HET owners have is the need...

RESTON, VA.—Xeros Ltd., the United Kingdom-based maker of a “virtually waterless” laundry cleaning system, announced that the Hyatt Regency Reston, Virginia will begin using Xeros’ proprietary cleaning solution for its guestrooms and restaurant. The Xeros washing machine was installed at the property on December 4 to launder Hyatt’s guestroom and dining room linens and bath towels using less water, less chemicals and less energy than traditional methods. This marks the second site for Xeros in the United States. The company first entered the U.S. market in September 2012 with its first washing machine placed at Sterling Linens in Manchester,...

NATIONAL REPORT—Ten years ago, an infrared camera cost $50,000. Today, according to John Keane, director, Infrared Training Center, Nashua, N.H., one can purchase this type of camera for as little as $2,000. That price drop has made infrared imaging, also known as infrared thermography, more practical in a hotel environment. “The most common application is electrical inspections—looking for hot spots caused by bad connections, current overload, or other problems,” Keane says. “It would be common for a hotel to want to have all of its electrical infrastructure inspected, from the substation outside all the way to the electrical panels...

PORT ORFORD, ORE.—“It feels like you are on another planet.” That is how Michelle Duarte describes the WildSpring Guest Habitat that she and her husband own along the coast of Oregon in Port Orford. Their small, eco-friendly resort sits on five acres of 100-foot trees and includes five cabins. “The cabins are built like small homes,” Duarte says. “They are not rustic.”Just about everything possible was done to minimize the environmental footprint of the five cabin suites. Duarte’s husband, Dean, who once worked on Hollywood sets in construction, played an integral part in the building of the cabins. Only...

TRAVELERS REST, S.C.—T&S Brass, a manufacturer of plumbing and foodservice equipment, has received a Top Product Award from Building Operating Management (BOM) magazine. Selected from nearly 600 eligible products, the company’s EC-3122 Sensor Faucet will be featured in the January issue of Building Operating Management. BOM Top Product Awards are 100 percent reader-selected, determined by building and facility executives across America who participated in a national survey.The EC-3122 is the newest above-deck electronic sensor faucet model in T&S’s ChekPoint sensor faucet line. Water- and energy-saving features include a water shut-off delay, auto timeout, sensor range adjustability and auto flush....

NEW YORK—Speed Queen, a provider of commercial laundry equipment, recently featured its SC060, a 60-pound washer-extractor equipped with its Quantum Gold control at the 2012 International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show in New York City.The washer-extractor is ideal for hotel laundries because it can wash extra-large items, such as king-size comforters, rugs and quilts. Speed Queen hardmount washer-extractors help reduce operating expenses and increase profitability. The machines use 33 percent less electrical energy, and 11 percent less water on average than previous models, which is enabled by Speed Queen’s proprietary advanced inverter technology, and innovative cylinder and sump system...

UKIAH, CALIF.—In the midst of the recent recession, hotel owner Raakesh Patel was struggling to keep his hotel open. With fewer travelers visiting his part of California—wine country in Mendocino County—and competition from numerous chain branded hotels, he said he had to do something, and fast. What he did was begin to convert his family’s 54-room Super 8 Ukiah to a green lodging establishment, a long path that has resulted in numerous accolades, lots of free publicity, a much stronger bottom line, and an incredible number of more than 41,000 Facebook “likes”—far more than any LEED Platinum hotel in...

MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros announced a new brand identity and new website. The new look website is intended to better align Xeros’ branding and image to match its mission to convert the traditional world of aqueous washing to Xeros polymer bead cleaning. Xeros is an ultra low water cleaning system with potential applications wherever a large quantity of fresh water is the primary cleaning medium in conventional technology. Initially, Xeros has piloted and developed a system for the commercial laundry industry for roll-out during 2013, and the company is also planning to enter the $100 billion-valued domestic laundry market.Conventional laundry has...

NORTH OLMSTED, OHIO—Moen Commercial’s new M•Press metering faucet collection was recently awarded a 2012 Production Innovation Award (PIA) by Architectural Products magazine in the restroom and plumbing category. The awards program, now in its second year, showcases and honors innovation in the development and enhancement of building-related products. Judged by a group of 50 independent industry professionals, the M•Press faucets were selected for their pressure-independent design, which ensures consistent water flow, handle resistance and proper shut-off with every use.The M•Press line of faucets contain Moen’s new, proprietary Durameter cartridge, a durable brass-shell cartridge featuring a sealed-silicone timing mechanism that...

TRAVELERS REST, S.C.—T & S Brass, a provider of equipment solutions to the foodservice and plumbing industries, received an Editors’ Choice Award for its B-3200 series hotel shower package at the recent International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show in New York City.The IHMRS Editors’ Choice Award is based on innovative product design, how a product answers a particular industry need, creative use of material or construction, and development or use of a new technology. Linda Seigler, Northeast Regional Sales Manager for T & S, accepted the award when it was presented on November 10, 2012.The B-3200 Series is customizable...