ecobee Inc. has announced the launch of its ecobee3 lite smart thermostat. The company said the new device is designed to deliver superior comfort, control, and energy savings at a lower cost. The thermostat will be available for purchase across North America on Oct. 31, 2016.

Renovate America and Renew Financial, two of the nation’s leading Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing providers, welcomed a new California law that will provide an industry-wide framework for PACE financing. 

Lime Energy Co. has been awarded a funding agreement by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to design and deliver “Achieving Energy Efficiency in Small Businesses in Low-Income Areas,” an energy efficiency program for low-income communities.

The global building energy management systems (BEMS) market is forecast to surpass $6 billion by 2023, according to a report from Global Market Insights Inc. Increasing regulatory pressure due to increasing energy waste in buildings is predicted to drive the industry over the coming years.

The Building Performance Institute (BPI) announced the nationwide launch of its Healthy Home Evaluator (HHE) certification. The certification is designed to help home performance and other professionals conduct assessments to determine conditions that may adversely affect occupant health and safety.

The Master Group Inc. announced it has purchased the distribution operations of Johnson Controls’ Unitary Products Group (York®) branches based in Oakville and Markham, Ontario. The two branches will operate as The Master Group.

The commercial building automation system (BAS) market is at a crossroads, notes Navigant Research. Large technology companies are benefitting from the moderate but consistent growth of a mature market, while technology innovation, new business models, and emerging competitors disrupt the market.

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) announced that it applauds the agreement reached in Kigali, Rwanda, by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol to include HFC refrigerants under the treaty.