Greenbuild Product Preview
Product reviews from this week’s Greenbuild Conference.
Four products, including plant-based finishes and reflective roofing, on display at Greenbuild this week.
(Via EcoHome.)
Structural Insulated Panels
A highly efficient alternative to conventional framing, SIPs are gaining more traction with builders.
By now familiar to most builders, SIPs are made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) or polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation sandwiched between two structural sheets of oriented strand board. About 12,000 homes were built with SIPs in 2002, according to the Gig Harbor, Wash.-based Structural Insulated Panel Association.Considering how many houses are erected annually, this number is barely a blip on the national radar. The technology, however, is gaining acceptance. Even the nation’s largest home builder, Pulte, is testing the viability of producing large quantities of SIPs houses.
VOC-free Paints and Natural Paints
An excellent article on the benefits of low-voc paints and a description of the many products to chose from.
Since the Clean Air Act became law in 1970, it has been used to regulate the content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a variety of products and manufacturing processes, including architectural coatings. That section of the federal law initially focused on the release of VOCs into the outside air as ground-level ozone, a key contributor to smog. Today, the popular focus for reducing VOCs in the built environment has turned inside, including the impact of house paints and other coatings on indoor air quality and the health and comfort of contractors, homeowners, and building occupants.
(Via Ecohome Magazine.)
Philippe Starck shows off “Democratic Ecology” wind turbine
A more stylish wind turbine, but I think the estimated output is a little high. The designer claims 1 of these can provide 20%-60% of an average homes power needs. I think that is probably more marketing hype than reality.
It looks like wind power is about to get a bit more stylish with the outspoken Philippe Starck now wading into things with his “Democratic Ecology” personal wind turbine. The turbine first made its debut at the recent Greenenergy Design show in Milan and, according to Inhabitat, it’s now on track for an actual release in September of this year, thanks to a little assistance from Pramac. If all goes as planned, the turbine will set you back about €400 (or just over $600), and provide anywhere from 20% to 60% of the energy need to power an average home, although you’ll presumably need some additional equipment to go along with the turbine.
(Via Engadget.)
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems Are a Viable Alternative to Traditional HVAC
Geothermal systems have been around for a while, but they have never attained mainstream status. Mostly because of the cost of installing such a system is prohibitive to the average homeowner. Also, there aren’t that many HVAC contractors who know how to install them much less work on an existing system. My dad installed a geothermal system in the house he had built in 1988. The system performed well, but it was hard to find a good technician to work on it. These systems are gaining in popularity and that should mean more experienced contractors.
Geothermal systems, which use the relatively stable and moderate temperature of the ground as an energy source, are piquing the interest of green-minded builders as an efficient and clean alternative to conventional heating and cooling systems.
Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) accounted for about 50,000 residential and (mostly) commercial installations nationwide in 2006. That’s less than 1% of the overall heating and cooling equipment market, according to a recent report issued by the Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based research firm. GHPs work typically by exchanging or transferring heat via liquid-filled tubing loops that run between the house and the ground or a nearby body of water. That same report, though, forecasts 6.5% annual growth for the technology through 2011, setting a new bar of 70,000 installations that year. By 2016, the report predicts nearly 100,000 geothermal heat pumps will be put in place per year.
(Via EcoHome Magazine.)
Residential Wind Turbine
I’ve seen wind turbines on boats, but now we’ll be able to add them to our houses. A scaled down wind turbine allows easy installation and affordability. It won’t supply all your electricity needs, but it can make a dent, and costs less than solar power.
We’ve got the “in-a-box” versions of nuclear power, data centers and biofuels. Why not wind power? Courtesy of Muskegon, Michigan-based company EarthTronics, sometime next year customers will be able to buy wind-in-a-box, in the form of a $2,000 wind turbine called WindTronics (via Muskegon Chronicle and Thoughts On Global Warming).
EarthTronics tells the paper that its wind turbine will have a 36-inch diameter, will be able to generate power at 3 mph wind speeds, and can supply 200-watts or power. The turbine is also intended to supply 10 to 20 percent of a home’s electricity. The company is working with the Grand Valley State University, the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center, and technology development company E-Net.
According to the Muskegon Chronicle EarthTronic could start producing the turbine by the first quarter of 2009. One note, it’s still not plug-in-play, the turbine will have to be installed by an electrician, the company says. So the full cost of the turbine would have to account for the installation fees.
(Via Earth2Tech.)
Permeable Driveways
The problem with installing impervious hardscape is all the water that would have been absorbed by the ground in that area is now run-off and has to be dealt with. Permeable concrete and pavers help solve this problem. By reducing the amount of run-off from your yard, you can help cut down on pollutants being washed into the local waterways.
As we become more aware of how our homes affect the environment surrounding us, it may be time to take a look outside. Your driveway has a bigger impact than you think.
Rainwater that falls onto paved driveways, sidewalks, and roads has no place to go except straight to drainage systems or the nearest pond or stream. Soap from washing the car, pet waste and fertilizer can all contaminate runoff when it doesn’t go through the ground’s natural filter.
When evaluating driveway material, consider a permeable one, which will have a reduced need for drainage systems to redirect water and fewer contaminants washing into our streams. While permeable driveways may not be ideal for high-traffic areas, they are typically sufficient for residential use. We will discuss three common types of permeable driveways, one of which may suit your needs best.
(Via My Green Home.)
Green Plug
The Green Plug aims to replace the common wall wart power supply with smart power supplies. These will be interchangeable between devices and adjust to the power requirements of your different devices. Sounds great if they can get a lot of manufactures on board. They’ve signed on Westinghouse, and will hopefully add some larger manufacturers in the future.
(Via Engadget.)
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