STATE COLLEGE, PENN.—Ameresco, Inc., a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, announced that it has entered into a Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract (GESC) with Penn State University. As part of the GESC, Ameresco will provide viable energy conservation measures to the Nittany Lion Inn and the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, located in State College, Penn. The project will include new energy conservation measures such as lighting and lighting control system improvements, domestic water reduction measures, weatherization improvements, and an updated and expanded energy management system. Collectively, these measures are expected to reduce annual utility consumption by more...

FRANKLIN PARK, ILL.—AQUS, the small-scale water reuse system from Sloan Valve Co., was recognized by PM Engineer magazine for generating the second highest number of reader inquiries from all plumbing products featured in its magazine or e-newsletters in 2010. As such, PM Engineer awarded AQUS as one of its 2010 Products of the Year. The AQUS water reuse system is based upon the premise that using fresh water to flush a toilet is unnecessary and wasteful. The system collects the water that goes down the bathroom sink, filters and disinfects it, and uses it to flush the toilet. It does...

NEW CASTLE, DELA.—Speakman Company introduces the Anystream Neo product family. The Neo is just one of the many new showerheads introduced by Speakman during the February launch of the renewed shower product line. The Anystream Neo product family features a modern design aesthetic, which is carried throughout the line in a fixed and hand-held showerhead as well as a 7-inch brass shower arm. The family includes a fixed, hand-held shower, and three unique combination showers available in both polished chrome and brushed nickel. The fixed and hand-held showerheads are also available as WaterSense certified 2.0 gallon per minute fixtures. All Neo...

The United States and much of the world, for that matter, have had so many pressing issues to deal with that one—possibly the most important one—keeps getting pushed under the carpet, so to speak. That is water. It’s a green issue, a life issue, a business issue—an issue that will impact hotels and hospitality facilities throughout the world and one we are all going to have to deal with eventually. Consider the following: • According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a U.S. think tank, water is a growing concern that is set to become the world economy’s single most...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Hobart’s new Energy Star qualified CLeR conveyor-type warewasher uses Advansys Energy Recovery technology and Hobart’s patented NSF-Certified Opti-Rinse system to save foodservice operations up to $11,000 annually in energy recovery and water efficiency. The Advansys Energy Recovery technology captures the warewasher’s exhaust heat and uses it to preheat the cold inlet water up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing the energy needed to reach the required 180 degrees Fahrenheit rinse-water temperature. “Hobart’s new CLeR Warewasher adapts Hobart’s unique Advansys Energy Recovery technology, introduced so successfully in the Advansys Ventless door-type warewasher, to the rigorous productivity demands of the high-volume CLe conveyor-type...

WOODRIDGE, ILL.—With its North Point Pint urinals, utilizing a pint (0.125 gallons) of water per flush (gpf), Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC has added its lowest water consuming high efficiency urinal (HEU) collection. Serving as the latest product addition to the North Point line, the new HEU features all of the performance and function of traditional urinals but with minimal water; thereby saving considerable amounts of resources with each flush. “By using only a pint of water, the North Point Pint urinals perform much better than waterless urinals due to the execution of the flush allowing the least amount of water...

NEW CASTLE, DEL.—Speakman Company unveiled a new line of shower products. It includes aesthetic updates to some of Speakman’s most popular showerheads as well as the introduction of more than 30 new showerheads and accessories. “For years we have spent time perfecting the performance of our showerheads, which has allowed us to become one of the best known shower companies in the world,” said Amy Thompson, product coordinator. “The new line offers our tradition of strong performing showerheads as well as timeless aesthetics.” The new product line features Anystream 360 spray technology. Developed by Speakman’s engineering team, Anystream 360 spray technology...

CHICAGO—The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place’s approach to sustainability is not to make one big splash with one giant investment. Instead, says Roger Martin, director of engineering at the 800-room hotel, “Our focus is to do a lot of the little things that add up to one big green initiative.” That approach is definitely working. The hotel, which is part of the giant McCormick Place complex that attracts close to 3 million visitors annually, reduced its electricity consumption by 12.7 percent from 2009 to 2010 and its water consumption by 24.4 percent. Part of those reductions was a result of...

VISTA, CALIF.—Waterless Co. Inc., the oldest and one of the largest manufacturers of no-water urinal systems and other restroom products in the United States, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. The company was founded by Klaus Reichardt, a leading advocate for water conservation and sustainability. His goal was to develop a firm that would help facilities use water more responsibly. “We have grown from just a few distributors in the United States to having distributors throughout the country,” he says. “And because of America’s growing interest in sustainability, the last few years have actually been some of our biggest...

MONTEREY, CALIF.—Setting the bar for environmentally-conscious hotels in Central California, Portola Hotel & Spa, located in the heart of Monterey, was recently granted its Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Portola Hotel & Spa becomes one of only three hotels in all of California and one of only six hotels in the United States to earn this level of accreditation in the Existing Building (EB) category. As an independent hotel brand, and an existing building, Portola Hotel & Spa achieved this certification as a result of a longstanding commitment by...