5 Megawatt Installation Under Development by Recurrent Energy

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SunLink® Corporation today announced that its industry-leading roof module mounting solution has begun shipping for one of the nation’s largest municipal solar installation, a five megawatt project located on the Sunset Reservoir in San Francisco, California. Chosen by Recurrent Energy, an independent power producer and a leading developer of solar power projects, SunLink’s solution will be used to mount over 23,000 Suntech (NYSE:STP) solar modules on the flat, seismically retrofitted rooftop of the Reservoir.

Upon completion in the Fall this year, the Sunset Reservoir project will more than triple the municipal solar generation in San Francisco and reduce carbon emissions by over 100,000 metric tons. The solar plant is being developed and operated under a Power Purchase Agreement between the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and Recurrent Energy. The clean solar electricity will be fed into the distribution grid and used by the General Hospital, San Francisco International Airport, Muni light rail, public schools throughout the city, and streetlights.

 

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 15-story 440 South Church Street office tower not only adds a new silhouette to downtown Charlotte, but also contributes to the environment. It achieved the environmental rating of LEED-CS Gold Certification last week with the assistance of The Epsten Group, an Atlanta based high-performance building consulting and architectural firm, acting as LEED, Commissioning, and Energy Simulation Consultant.

“Originally targeted for Silver Certification under LEED-CS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Core and Shell), we were excited and proud to learn that our efforts resulted in the higher LEED Gold Certification,” says Dagmar Epsten, founder and president of The Epsten Group. “I hope achievements like this for 440 Church Street will become more commonplace in office buildings, as the sum of all efforts could create significant momentum for reducing energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and global environmental impact.”

“As part of our consulting services, The Epsten Group performed an energy model that demonstrated the design of 440 South Church Street saves the owner almost 18% on their annual energy bills compared to a typical office building,” continues Ms. Epsten. “We also created tenant guidelines to optimize the building’s efficiency as occupants move in. The guidelines are supported by electrical meters on each floor of the building that allow businesses to track their energy usage.”

Sustainable features of the building include low VOC emitting carpets and paints, FSC Certified wood-based building materials for 50% of such use, and recycled content in building materials to achieve 26%. In addition, over 23,000 tons of on-site demolition construction waste was diverted from landfills.

The prime location of the building in Charlotte’s Third Ward will save transportation energy, as there is easy access to bus and rail lines encouraging commuting alternatives to automobile use.

 

Mixed-use SouthPark offices rated through existing buildings program

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The two office towers at Piedmont Town Center in SouthPark earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Over the past 16 months, the Crescent Resources property management team worked diligently to achieve LEED certification. The project's LEED consultant was LORD Green Real Estate Strategies, Inc., a Dallas company that specializes in greening existing buildings. Houston-based Transwestern provided the project's commissioning services and ensured that all the building systems and components were designed, installed, operated and maintained efficiently.

 

CHICAGO, March 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - Chicago Chapter has extended the nomination window for its Natural Leaders Awards Program to Friday, March 12, 2010. The Natural Leader Awards seek to recognize local leaders who have incorporated sustainability into their work and the built environment.

Natural Leaders will be recognized in four categories: Intent to Matter (Excellence in Sustainable Design, Construction, or Operations), Re-Generation (Excellence in Environmental Education), SMALL feet/large FEAT (Excellence in Organizational Change), and Environmotion (Excellence in Sustainable Innovation). Individuals and organizations eligible for nomination include, but are not limited to, architects, design engineers, contractors, developers, design teams, non-profit organizations, and beyond.

Nominees must be individuals and organizations currently living or working in Illinois and are not required to be USGBC - Chicago Chapter members. Award winners will be presented at the Chapter's Fifth Emerald Gala on May 22, 2010.

Nomination forms can be found at www.usgbc-chicago.org or requested at awards@usgbc-chicago.org. Nominations should be sent to awards@usgbc-chicago.org no later than 12:00 p.m. March 12, 2010.

 

SYRACUSE, N.Y., March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In another demonstration of leadership in environmental stewardship, Carrier Corp. President Geraud Darnis led a group of officials and dignitaries in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Willis H. Carrier Total Indoor Environmental Quality (TIEQ) lab at the Syracuse Center of Excellence (SyracuseCoE) in Environmental and Energy Systems headquarters in Syracuse, N.Y. Carrier Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) , is a charter member of the SyracuseCoE and was actively involved in all aspects of the headquarters' design process. SyracuseCoE is focused on research in global sustainability, including clean and renewable energy, indoor environmental quality, and water resource solutions.

In 2005, Carrier pledged $1.5 million for the creation of the world class, 10,000-square foot laboratory named for Dr. Willis H. Carrier, the inventor of modern air conditioning and the founder of Carrier Corp. This first-of-its-kind lab facilitates cutting-edge research into the effects of multiple factors-- including temperature, humidity, air quality, lighting, and sound--on human health and performance in building environments.

The mission of SyracuseCoE is to create innovations that improve human health and productivity, security, and sustainability in commercial buildings. SyracuseCoE's headquarters building itself is a showcase for environmental and energy technologies and building innovation. Carrier's sustainable building solutions can be seen in the application of water-to-water heat pumps and air treatment equipment controlled by Carrier's Comfort Network®. The air treatment equipment provides personalized comfort and air quality control for the human performance test simulators in the Carrier TIEQ Laboratory.

SyracuseCoE also employs outdoor air quality monitoring, building materials testing, advanced underfloor air distribution and heat recovery systems. The facility is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

 

Kwikset’s SmartCode Lever Provides Enhanced Security and Convenience to Any Home’s Interior Entryways

LAKE FOREST, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kwikset®, an innovation leader in the residential door hardware industry, today announced the expansion of its keyless, touchpad, electronic lock product offering with the introduction of the SmartCode™Lever. Designed with a sleek style to complement your home’s interior, you can lock your home office, wine cellar, storage room, or any other entryway and never again have to worry about carrying a key.

To gain entry, simply input your personalized code. Locking is even easier, with the simple touch of one button. SmartCode also is easy to install, program and use, and operates on four AA batteries so there is no hard wiring required. It also features SmartKey™ re-key technology with BumpGuard™ protection as the back-up keyed entry system. SmartKey is the first affordable re-keyable lock available to the homeowner. It allows homeowners to re-key their lock anytime in a matter of seconds without removal from the door for improved security and the ultimate in convenience.

Just like Kwikset’s SmartCode Deadbolt, SmartCode Levers allow homeowners to create unique codes for each individual requiring access to the room or home. “They can create temporary codes for the housekeeper or other visitors in the morning before leaving for work, and then disable those codes in the evening, making unauthorized access by temporary users virtually impossible.

SmartCode Levers fit all standard door preps without requiring new screw holes. Available in three finishes, Satin Nickel, Venetian Bronze and Polished Brass, the SmartCode’s brightly-lit keypad also provides convenient access in low-light. The SmartCode Lever provides additional convenience and security via an automatic door locking feature with 30-second delay that can be activated or deactivated at the homeowner’s discretion. Kwikset provides a lifetime warranty on the mechanics and finish of the lock and there is a one year electronic warranty.

 

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Maryland Chapter, named Merritt Properties’ Schilling Green the 2009 Green Project of the Year for Core and Shell. The Baltimore Chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors gave the developer a Merit Award for another project, the interior fit-out for the corporate offices of Firaxis Games.

Schilling Green is a Class A office building located at 230 Schilling Circle in Hunt Valley. As part of its long-standing commitment to environmentally responsible construction, Merritt undertook a major redevelopment of the building in 2008, resulting in a registered LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) project pursuing Platinum certification – the first of its kind along the I-83 corridor. LEED is the industry standard for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

Firaxis Games is a leading game developer originally headquartered in Hunt Valley. For their new corporate offices in Sparks, the company wanted space that reflected a culture based on imagination and play and included asymmetrical walls and spaces, floating ceilings, hand-crafted oversized doors, fitness studio and employee break room with kitchen, seating and gaming area. The project, at 10 Loveton Circle in Sparks, was built out by Merritt and designed by Arris, a Design Studio. A challenging demolition and construction project, involving simultaneous exterior and interior work and a quick turnaround, was completed on time and on budget in September 2009.

 

Resource guide is part of the Education Initiative for the U.S. General Services Administration's Office of Governmentwide Policy

WASHINGTON, March 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new comprehensive guide for sustainable development in the federal government, authored by thought leaders from HOK, the General Services Administration and the University of Maryland, has earned a top award from the Federal Planning Division of the American Planning Association.

The guide is being recognized as part of the GSA Sustainable Development Education Initiative, which was selected as the winner in the "Outstanding Sustainable Planning, Design and Development Initiative" category.

Sounding the alarm not only for the federal government, but also for the nation and the world, the authors of this 40-page guidebook declared that "Today's world is decidedly not sustainable and neither are the Government's operations. But both of them can be." To that end, it provides specific principles for "How to live sustainably as a species on a finite Earth into the indefinite future."

The guide is available online at: http://www.gsa.gov/graphics/ogp/2009_New_Sustainable_Frontier_Complete_Guide.pdf

 

Anaheim, CA – March 1, 2010 – Parex USA, Inc. the parent company of leading building material brands; Parex, Teifs, LaHabra, El Rey Stucco, and Merkrete today announced the launch of LaHabra Perma-Flex Stucco Grade Acrylic Finish.

LaHabra, a pioneer in the stucco industry since 1926, proudly offers acrylic finishes specifically formulated for use over stucco substrates. The new formula provides the advantages of an acrylic finish at a lower cost. Perma-Flex not only provides an economical solution during these challenging times, but it also carries the advantages of being weather-resistant, vapor-permeable, and allows for easy installation. Although LaHabra is best known for their cement stucco finishes, Parex USA is one of the largest manufacturers of acrylic finishes in the nation.

“Acrylic finishes are known for their superior color consistency and range of colors and textures,” said Jennifer Pregowski, Brand Manager. “With the use of Perma-Flex, one can add beauty and durability to any project at a low cost and help ensure that the color applied will last for many years with minimal maintenance.”

Perma-Flex Stucco Grade Acrylic Finish is available in Fine, Swirl, Coarse and Smooth Textures in the LaHabra standard and lifestyle color pallette. Custom colors are available, providing the applicator with a variety of design options.

Perma-Flex Stucco Grade Acrylic Finishes are durable exterior coatings that provide color and texture over LaHabra Wall, LaHabra BasiC926, brown coat, cast-in-place concrete, and other approved substrates. For more information regarding Perma-Flex Finishes, visit www.lahabrastucco.com

About Parex USA, Inc.

Parex USA, Inc. Parex USA, Inc., an American Corporation based in California, is a subsidiary of the ParexGroup, a division of Materis, S.A., a French Corporation. The ParexGroup is one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals and ready-to-use mortars for the construction industry. With over 45 manufacturing sites in 18 countries the ParexGroup employs more than 2,700 industry professionals who are the corner stone of this thriving global organization. For more information regarding Parex USA, Inc. visit www.parexusa.com.

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (March 3, 2010) – Following an intensive course of study and successful completion of an exam covering all aspects of kitchen and bath design, Juliet Johnson, brand experience manager for Jenn-Air, has earned her Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer (AKBD) credentials from the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA).

“The design community has tremendous influence on purchase decisions in the super-premium appliance category,” said Johnson. “Becoming immersed in the profession is a way to better understand and meet designers’ needs, and ultimately, help Jenn-Air earn a place at the top of their consideration list.”

As the brand’s lead for outreach to the design community, Johnson’s latest projects include conducting hands-on training with designers and trade customers throughout the country, organizing designer roundtables and teaching NKBA-accredited courses on downdraft ventilation, a technology pioneered by Jenn-Air. In order to maintain her certification, she will continue to study and earn continuing education credits throughout the year.

In addition to elegant design, the newly launched, super-premium line of Jenn-Air(R) appliances features a number of industry firsts and exclusives that are major selling points for kitchen designers, according to Johnson. They include the industry’s best-performing wall oven, the industry’s best and quietest ventilation system, and the only duct-free downdraft system, among others.

“With all this new collection has to offer, and with everything we’re doing to encourage designers to use and recommend our products, Jenn-Air is well positioned to be a major player in the design arena,” said Johnson.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The Inside Advantage(TM) is designed to meet the needs of Whirlpool Corporation’s building community customers. More than a program, The Inside Advantage(TM) provides trade customers with the strength of Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Market Insight and Targeted Services, all from one company.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-952-2537.

 

Only Two Other Projects in the Country Have Received this Prestigious Rating

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Green Building Initiative (GBI) recognized the MeadWestvaco Corporation’s (MWV) headquarters building in Richmond, VA, for achievements in sustainable design and construction that were identified using the Green Globes environmental assessment and rating system for commercial buildings.

MWV, a global packaging solutions provider, designed its new headquarters building to meet and surpass standards for green, sustainable buildings. Some of the many positive attributes that secured the four Globes rating include:

* Recycled 95 percent of construction waste
* 21 percent improvement in overall energy efficiency and usage over traditional building methods
* Used the most energy efficient HVAC system and glass available
* Harvested and maximized use of natural lighting to reduce energy consumption
* Reduced water use through native landscaping, plumbing and control systems

To achieve a Green Globes rating, the MWV building project team used the Green Globes tool’s unique, online and interactive format to help design and construct the building in an environmentally-friendly manner. After the buildings were constructed, a GBI-authorized third-party building science expert was engaged to review the construction documents, conduct an on-site inspection and determine an official Green Globes rating.

 

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named CEMEX USA a 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. CEMEX’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony later this month in Washington, D.C. on March 18, 2010.

CEMEX USA, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2004, will be honored for strategic energy management and a commitment to save energy across its entire operation that resulted in significant energy and financial savings. This is the second year in a row that CEMEX USA has been named Partner of the Year. In 2009, CEMEX reduced its overall energy intensity by 2.2 percent as a result of its Energy Management Program using ENERGY STAR guidelines. Over 1.1 million MMBTUs were saved through such measures as commissioning two new cement lines using state-of-the-art vertical roller mills for finish grinding, replacing and repairing compressed air systems, and upgrading plant lighting. This energy savings resulted in cutting 107,500 metric tons of CO2 emissions and is equal to providing electricity to 14,900 American homes for one year, or avoiding emissions from about 19,700 passenger vehicles.

 

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (http://www.epa.gov) has named Saint-Gobain as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year (http://www.energystar.gov) for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. No other manufacturer of glass containers or fiber glass insulation has ever received the Partner of the Year award.

Through a wide range of energy-awareness programs, process improvements, and energy management practices in 2009, Saint-Gobain businesses in North America were able to reduce their energy intensity by 2.2 percent--equivalent to the amount of energy needed to make nearly 486 million glass bottles or enough fiber glass insulation for more than 100,000 typical U.S. homes. The company's energy-use reduction equated to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions released to the atmosphere of more than 70,000 tons last year.

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (March 1, 2010) — Whirlpool Corporation, the world’s leading home appliance manufacturer, has been recognized with the 2010 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award recognizes the company’s continued leadership in offering consumers energy and water efficiency through its leading home appliance brands. This is the company’s eleventh top ENERGY STAR award and fifth consecutive Sustained Excellence win. Whirlpool has been honored with 22 ENERGY STAR awards overall, more than any other appliance manufacturer.

According to a 2009 Whirlpool Corporation survey conducted in conjunction with Harris Interactive, energy efficiency is more important than ever in the purchase decision of consumers shopping for major appliances. The majority of U.S. consumers (59 percent) said they would rather spend more money now to save energy (and money) later when it came to home appliances.

The company praised the federal government’s recent enforcement actions that help ensure consumers’ confidence as they purchase ENERGY STAR qualified major appliances. These actions will help ensure manufacturers of appliances are held accountable to deliver the energy savings they promise. In turn, consumers will be able to confidently use the Energy Guide label to make energy performance comparisons among brands while shopping, and to attain, in real world use, the energy efficiency promised when they purchased the appliance. Whirlpool has been involved in helping to set and define federal energy standards since their inception in the 1970s.

“EPA is recognizing Whirlpool Corporation with our highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2010 Sustained Excellence Award,” said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. “Whirlpool Corporation’s continued leadership and commitment to energy efficiency is a testament to what we can accomplish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our global environment.”

Whirlpool Corporation offers some of the most water and energy efficient products on the market, in the kitchen and the laundry room and across all price points.

- ENERGY STAR(R) qualified washers are one of the leaders in energy and water savings. Replacing a washer made before 2000 with a new ENERGY STAR(R) model can save up to $135 annually according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Whirlpool Corporation offers both front- and top-load high-efficiency washers. For example, the Whirlpool Duet(R) front-load washer uses 74 percent less water and 80 less energy, the Maytag Performance Series front-load washer uses 70 percent less water and 70 percent less energy and the new Amana Tandem(R) front-load washer uses 73 percent less water and 71 percent less energy, all compared to pre-2004 conventional top-load washers. The Maytag Bravos(R) top-load laundry pair uses 70 percent less water and 67 percent less energy and the Whirlpool Cabrio(R) top-load laundry pair uses 71 percent less water and 69 percent less energy, compared to pre-2004 conventional top-load washers.

- Replacing a refrigerator made before 2000 with a new ENERGY STAR(R) model can save approximately $40 annually according to the DOE. The Whirlpool brand offers the industry’s most energy efficient side-by-side refrigerator. By exceeding efficiency standards by 30 percent, the Whirlpool brand Resource Saver(TM) refrigerator exceeds the EPA’s ENERGY STAR guidelines, helping consumers reduce their family’s carbon footprint. This model uses less energy than a 60-watt light bulb and is the most energy efficient side-by-side refrigerator ever.

- Replacing a dishwasher made before 2000 with a new ENERGY STAR(R) model can save approximately $50 annually according to the DOE. The new Superba EQ models from KitchenAid are the best dishwashers ever from the brand that pioneered home dishwashers 60 years ago. Tests show they perform better and dry better than competitive models and are the quietest dishwashers in the industry. At 56 percent greater efficiency than the minimum federal energy standards, they are even eligible for an energy rebate in some states.

“We look forward to continuing our alignment with both the EPA and DOE to help to build on the integrity of the ENERGY STAR label,” said Tom Catania, vice president, Government Relations, Whirlpool Corporation. “We also are helping to identify ways to provide new ways to conserve our natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including helping to create unifying standards for the smart electricity grid.”

In 2009, Whirlpool announced a commitment to make all the electronically controlled appliances it produces — everywhere in the world — capable of receiving and responding to signals from smart grids by 2015. The company’s ability to successfully deliver on this commitment, in this timeframe, is dependent on the development by the end of 2010 of an open, global communication standard and appropriate policies that reward consumers, manufacturers and utilities for using and adding these new peak demand reduction capabilities.

In 2009, Whirlpool Corporation was named one of the 500 greenest big companies in America by Newsweek magazine, one of Fortune magazine’s “Most Admired Companies,” one of the “100 Best Corporate Citizens” by Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine, one of the “Top 50 U.S. companies for Social Responsibility” by the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship and Reputation Institute, and one of the “Top 50 Most Respected U.S. Companies” by the Reputation Institute and Forbes.com.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The Inside Advantage(TM) is designed to meet the needs of Whirlpool Corporation’s building community customers. More than a program, The Inside Advantage(TM) provides trade customers with the strength of Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Market Insight and Targeted Services, all from one company.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2008, 70,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-952-2537.

 

Cutting-edge technology provides a sustainable solution for greening both businesses and homes

TAMPA, Fla., March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- It's arguable that the only thing that's free in life is the air around us. But even air can have a hefty price tag, when it comes to trapped oxygen that moves through water pipelines and into homes and businesses every day, everywhere. Most water pipelines operate inefficiently because of this trapped oxygen, which water meters measure right along with the water itself. When business owners or homeowners pay their water bills, they're unknowingly shelling out money for sizeable amounts of air that have been carried through their pipes as well.

In response, AirLess(TM) Valve USA, LLC, a company that's committed to developing earth-friendly technologies, is announcing its latest groundbreaking solution: the AirLess(TM) Water Valve. Thanks to a precision-engineered, mechanical valve, the AirLess(TM) valve actually works to prevent the meter from reading the air. This cutting-edge technology is shrinking water bills by at least 15 to 30 percent and delivering water in the most efficient manner to date.

 

Recognized in 1999 as the First National Window Partner of the Year, Andersen is Again Honored

BAYPORT, Minn., March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) have named Andersen Corporation as 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award winner for the Product Manufacturer--Windows category for its family of brands, including Andersen Windows, Renewal by Andersen, Eagle Window & Door and Silver Line Building Products. Andersen receives the designation for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing and educating consumers about energy-efficient products. Andersen will be recognized at a March 18 awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Andersen has been part of the ENERGY STAR program since its inception in 1998 and was the first window manufacturer awarded the ENERGY STAR National Window Partner of the Year in 1999. This year, Andersen again will be honored for its leadership in manufacturing products that earn the ENERGY STAR moniker, the government-backed symbol of energy efficiency. This distinction honors Andersen's ongoing commitment to providing energy-efficient products, as well as the company's comprehensive use of ENERGY STAR information in media relations, consumer education programs, advertising, web sites and training materials.

 

- Pella named 2010 ENERGY STAR(R) Sustained Excellence winner -

PELLA, Iowa, March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have awarded Pella Corporation a 2010 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency. Pella's efforts will be recognized March 18 at a Washington, D.C., awards ceremony.

Pella -- an ENERGY STAR partner in the U.S. since 1999 -- will be honored by the EPA and DOE for its long-term commitment to providing energy-efficient products, and its across-the-board integration of ENERGY STAR information into media relations, consumer education programs, advertising, Web sites and training programs.

"Pella is proud to again be recognized with the highest honor in energy efficiency--the prestigious ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award," said Elaine Sagers, vice president of marketing for the privately-held company. "This is a credit to Pella team members who create some of the industry's most stylish, energy-efficient, sustainable windows and doors and our dedicated business partners who educate consumers about them."

 

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With only 30 gram of thermal insulation per square meter the excessive heat flux through the wall behind a radiator is blocked, with 40 gram per square meter the water in your bathtub will stay warm for over an hour and with 60 gram per square meter the ground floor of your house will get even warmer than the air above it and this does not cost energy. These insulation techniques showcased at Tonzon stand 2198, Eco-Build 2010 in London from 2-4 March, will save energy instead.

Scientists are amazed about the capabilities of Tonzon's Thermocushion. It only weighs 60 gram per square metre, which is less than normal paper. However, a floor fitted with Thermocushions from below get an U-value less then 0.22 W/sq m.K. (Rd>4,35 sq mK/W). They warm the floor to a temperature that is even higher than the air above it. Just by saving energy. Is the Dutch Tonzon company trying to sell us some kind of perpetual motion? The mystery is resolved at www.tonzon.tv where an animated diagram explains the energy flow in the house. Also the Thermocushion is ecologically very sound since transport and production costs are minimal.

 

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sustainability is the hottest trend in urban planning and real estate development, and now there's a report that explains what it means and what opportunities it presents.

The report, which is being offered at no charge, is titled Beyond Green Building: How to Get Deals Done in the New Era of Sustainable Community Planning and Development. It was prepared by Partnership for Sustainable Communities (PSC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting land use reform, including higher density zoning, infill development, and measures to encourage affordable housing.

The report gives practical information on and analysis of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by changing the way communities are planned and buildings are constructed. It includes articles on topics such as:

- How to make sense of the fast-growing list of green building certifications and standards;
- Where to find financing for energy retrofits;
- Overcoming community opposition to affordable housing;
- Financing for mixed use;
- Federal programs that promote sustainable development; plus
- The results of an exclusive survey of developers on their land use concerns.

Partnership for Sustainable Communities helps developers and architects work with cities to enact progressive policies and smooth the entitlement process for affordable housing and mixed-use projects.

 

Two-day Sessions Educate Architects on Incorporating Energy, LEED and Daylighting Analysis Right From the Start

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES), a provider of integrated performance analysis software and consulting services for sustainable building design, announced it will be hosting monthly AIA Continuing Education System- registered training courses at the Center for Architecture in New York City. Arranged in conjunction with the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter, which runs the Center for Architecture, these courses will be held over two days every month, starting on March 2-3 and 4-5, and will focus on BIM and performance analysis, utilizing IES’ software.

 

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- BMW of North America, LLC announced today two of its Regional Distribution Centers located in suburban Chicago (Minooka, IL) and Eastern Pennsylvania (Lower Nazareth, PA) have received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council.

According to LEED guidelines, both facilities were constructed in an environmental and sustainable way. Highlights include energy and water usage being reduced by more than 20 percent compared to standard building practice. Further, over 80 percent of all construction waste was recycled or otherwise diverted from landfills. Both facilities were noted for using recycled and locally sourced materials, drought tolerant landscaping, and eliminating permanent irrigation systems to reduce the use of potable water.

The facility in Lower Nazareth, PA received "LEED certified" recognition, while the facility in Minooka, IL was awarded "LEED silver certified."

 

Anaheim, CA – February 23, 2010 – Parex USA, Inc. the parent company of leading building material brands; Parex, Teifs, LaHabra, El Rey Stucco, and Merkrete today announced the launch of Parex 121 Optimum Wet Base Coat and Adhesive.

121 Optimum Wet is a premium EIFS base coat and adhesive that promotes higher acrylic content and enhanced workability. This is the newest product in Parex's new Optimum Series line and is intended to be used as a component of the new Optimum Series EIFS.

When launching the new Optimum Series of EIFS we knew the contractor’s preference for base coat and adhesives was evenly split between dry & wet bases. The launch of 121 Optimum Wet was done to satisfy the needs of those contractors who prefer a wet base product. With this introduction, Parex Optimum Series EIFS includes a wet base coat in addition to the 121 Optimum dry and now has all the components to push for national expansion into this premium EIFS marketplace.

“With its higher acrylic content and enhanced workability 121 Optimum Wet is a premium base coat and adhesive that provides easier installation and longer term durability,” said Quenton Roehricht, Brand Manager. "Similar to our 121 Optimum (dry mix), early feedback from test usage of this product has been overwhelmingly positive. We have received an enthusiastic response and eager anticipation for its launch."

121 Optimum Wet was primarily designed for use on Optimum series EIFS but like all Parex Base Coats and Adhesives this product can be used in all Parex EIFS and as a skim coat.

About Parex USA, Inc.

Parex USA, Inc. Parex USA, Inc., a California Corporation, is a subsidiary of the ParexGroup, a division of Materis, S.A., a French Corporation. The ParexGroup is one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals and ready-to-use mortars for the construction industry. With over 45 manufacturing sites in 18 countries the ParexGroup employs more than 2,700 industry professionals who are the corner stone of this thriving global organization. For more information regarding Parex USA, Inc. visit www.parexusa.com.

 

Offers New and Improved Features for Manufacturers, Architects & Designers, Consumers, and Owners & Builders

ATLANTA, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) unveiled today a completely redesigned Web site, providing visitors with a wealth of updated, easy-to-find, user-specific information on indoor air quality (IAQ), children's health, and GREENGUARD Certification programs.

One of the biggest improvements to the site is the enhanced GREENGUARD Product Guide?, which allows users to find GREENGUARD Certified products and materials within seconds by using a number of search criteria: keyword, product type, manufacturer, sustainable credits, and/or certification type.

In addition to a new overall design, other new features on the Web site include an online "technical center" for in-depth information on testing methods and standards; a library of industry-relevant white papers; and a calendar of events outlining various conferences and trade shows in which GEI participates. Another section focused on eco-labels helps to educate consumers about dubious "green" marketing claims and how to avoid them.

 

Microdesk to help building product manufacturers build and publish 3D models to the Autodesk Seek web service

NASHUA, N.H., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- AECO industry consultant and Autodesk Gold Partner, Microdesk, Inc., has become an Autodesk Seek Content Service Provider. As a Provider, Microdesk will begin contributing 2D and 3D models of building products to the Autodesk Seek web service so they can be used in the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process.

Autodesk Seek allows design professionals to search for specific building product manufacturer design files, such as ceiling systems, ductwork, doors, chairs, or even trees, directly from their Autodesk design applications or via a web browser. These 3D models, 2D drawings, visual images, or part and product specifications can then be integrated directly into building designs helping designers make more accurate decisions earlier in the design process.

 

Independent, ASTM E-based Tests Show Acoustical Effectiveness of Innovative DensDeck(R) Roof Board System for Lightweight Commercial Roofs

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia-Pacific Gypsum - long an innovator in the development and use of fiberglass mat-based gypsum panels - announced that its assembly for retrofitting lightweight commercial roof decks based on its DensDeck® Roof Board product can reduce sound penetration by more than 50 percent.

According to the results of acoustical performance tests conducted in December 2009 by Architectural Testing Inc., the Georgia-Pacific Gypsum roof deck assembly with remediation components received a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of 54, versus a rating of 43 for the baseline assembly alone. This 11 decibel improvement equals a reduction in sound penetration of more than 50 percent.

Georgia-Pacific Gypsum will showcase its innovative roofing assembly, as well as the testing results, in Booth #2727 at the 2010 International Roofing Expo, February 22 to 24, in New Orleans.

The assembly's significant reduction in sound penetration is just one of its many features. Another is that the lightweight assembly is added on to the existing roof, a sustainability benefit since it eliminates the need to dispose of existing roofing materials. Also, when properly installed the sophisticated design helps prevent the accumulation of moisture between the new and old roofing assemblies, which is a common problem with retrofitted roofs.

"As airports expand and flight paths change, the need for creating a quieter in-building environment is evolving dramatically," said Reinhard Schneider, DensDeck Roof Board product manager, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. "We have spent nearly a decade developing a number of sound isolating new roof assemblies to address this problem, and we're delighted that these independent tests confirm the effectiveness of the DensDeck Roof Board -based remediation system, as well."

Components of the DensDeck Roof Board Roofing Assembly

The DensDeck Roof Board-based lightweight commercial roofing sound remediation assembly includes the following layered components, which were used in the acoustical tests:

- 1" rigid mineral fiber board
- 5/8" DensDeck Roof Board
- 45-mil TPO roofing membrane

The assembly is designed for buildings with low-slope roofs in the vicinity of airports or other high-decibel environments. These include hotels, apartments, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools and other low-rise commercial buildings.

The acoustical tests of the Georgia-Pacific remediation assembly were conducted in accordance with four industry-standard testing methodologies (ASTM E 90-09, ASTM E 413-04, ASTM E 1332-90 and ASTM E 22350-04).

 

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bay Colony Corporate Center has received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver designation from the U.S. Green Building Council for the entire four-building campus. UGL Unicco LEED Accredited Professionals provided project management and consulting services to help the property manager, Broadway Real Estate Services, move through the accreditation process.

Beyond what it says about the property’s environmental standing and management practices, the designation is significant since it is one of only a few commercial real estate campuses nationwide that has achieved LEED for Existing Building status for an entire campus. The property consists of three 4-story buildings and one 3-story building totaling 980,000 square feet situated on 58 acres.

LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance certification sets standards, and measures sustainability under several categories such as: sustainable sites, including landscape management and light pollution; water efficiency; energy and atmosphere; materials and resources, including solid waste management and sustainable purchasing; indoor environmental quality; and innovations in operations.

 

Architecture Firm Perkins+Will; The Founders of New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village--Harry Connick, Jr., Branford Marsalis, Ann Marie Wilkins, and Jim Pate; and The U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon to receive 24th Honor Award on May 11, 2010

On May 11, 2010, the National Building Museum will hold its 24th Honor Award ceremony to recognize three organizations that have advanced the quality of our built environment through their unique civic and social innovations: architecture firm Perkins+Will; New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village founders Harry Connick, Jr., Branford Marsalis, Ann Marie Wilkins, and Jim Pate; and The U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon.

Architecture and interdisciplinary design practice Perkins+Will will be celebrated for its legacy of socially-relevant design that has promoted human wellbeing over the course of the firm's 75 year-history. Perkins+Will, one of the world's largest design firms with 23 offices globally, has a remarkable portfolio of complex, high-performing institutional projects for civic, education, healthcare, government, and private-sector clients. Even though an international leader, the firm focuses on educating its professionals to design structures and built environments that harmonize locally--conserving resources and preserving local ecosystems, promoting the health of occupants, and unifying communities through design.

The founders of the New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village--Harry Connick, Jr., Branford Marsalis, Ann Marie Wilkins, and Jim Pate--will be honored for their creation of a multi-generational village to house musicians in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, thereby preserving and promoting the cultural traditions and practices that define New Orleans. The group's leadership in restoring and revitalizing the Upper Ninth Ward has been a catalyst for additional community development in the neighborhood. The founders will be celebrated for their role in helping sustain local culture and inclusion of low-income populations that support a vibrant and successful city.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon will be recognized for its commitment to educating the next generation of engineers, architects, and builders through a creative "whole building approach" with renewable energy, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible systems. Since 2001, the Solar Decathlon has increased public awareness and consumer interest in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the marketplace. The Department of Energy and its Solar Decathlon have helped spur research and development through partnerships with leading educational institutions around the world.

 

New Online Submission and Review Site Will Significantly Reduce Costs for Architects and Engineers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The State Fire Marshal’s Office’s (SFMO) process for reviewing architects’ and engineers’ drawings for compliance with construction safety codes has just gotten easier and less expensive, with the implementation of an online submission application. The new application is expected to save architects and engineers hundreds of dollars per submission. The new service can be found at www.tennesseeanytime.org/tnsfmo/.

The new electronic plans review system allows for plans, documents, and review fees to be submitted over the Internet. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s SFMO enforces fire and building construction safety codes for certain types of buildings. For these occupancies, an architect’s or engineer’s design drawings are submitted for review and approval by the State before construction begins.

“This new portal means that our plans-review office is essentially open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for document submission and fee payment, including payment by e-check,” said Commerce and Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Leslie A. Newman. “Building plans involve very large files, and having them in our office as electronic documents will make it much easier to access, store and archive these plans. As documents are reviewed and any needed re-submittals are made, the time and money savings for construction projects will be significant.”

Additional automation and time accountability regarding a project’s status will be available in the next phase of the program.

Tennessee is among the first states to implement a process to allow electronic submission of plans and will soon be in the forefront in the nation by offering services allowing owners, architects and engineers access to project information and automated notices designed to streamline the plans approval process.

 

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lockheed Martin Center for Leadership Excellence has earned the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® Silver certification. The USGBC's Green Building Rating System(TM), is an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

The center, which opened March 2009, was designed, built and now operates with environmental efficiency. Some of these features include:

- Compacting, composting and recycling systems divert more than 90 percent of the site's waste stream from landfills.
- Low-flow plumbing reduces water use by about 43 percent.
- Construction products contained 23 percent recycled materials.
- 100 percent of the site's paints, sealants and adhesives are low-emitting and contribute to better air quality.
- Reflective roofing reduces heat emittance.
- More than 5,000 energy efficient light bulbs reduce energy consumption.
- Energy savings from the CLE avoids over 318 metric tons of carbon per year.
- Green cleaning products and green linens reduce the facility's operational impact.
- Reserved parking for energy efficient cars encourages employee green behavior.

 

CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When developer Urban Offerings, Inc. of El Segundo, CA, acquired a 1956 vintage bow truss industrial building in the Culver City area of Los Angeles in 2007 to renovate it for adaptive creative office space, the company envisioned an even greater concurrent challenge: to make an existing building energy sustainable. Both goals were achieved, the company reports.

Urban Offerings and its partner, Meridian Group Ltd. of Los Angeles, have completed their renovation of the 28,000-square-foot building located at 3641 Holdrege Ave. Concurrently, Urban Offerings announces that it has received a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for core and shell renovation, the second highest sustainability designation awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Stating that the LEED Gold certification was a “team recognition,” Nucich praised lead consultant Zinner Consultants of Santa Monica, CA, general contractor Oltmans Construction Co. of Whittier, CA, and architect Lynch/Eisinger/Design (LED) of New York, NY.

“The major challenges in achieving LEED Gold were associated with accomplishing the required energy efficiency with the creation of two new 20-foot glass walls. The Douglas Fir vertical screens hang over the glass walls to provide the necessary solar shading, while the cool roof as designed by Independent Roofing Consultants provides the necessary R Values in achieving the required energy efficiency for the building,” Nucich said.

He emphasized that the “cool roof system” reflects the sun’s heat. “This also allowed us to retain the architectural integrity of the original bow truss roof system. It is a beautiful structural and architectural feature virtually impossible to re-create today cost-wise,” Nucich said.

Other elements contributing to the LEED Gold designation, according to Oltmans Construction Co., include a building material decision that reduces heat island effect by utilizing light colored concrete and shading elements, water use reduction through low-flow restroom fixtures, the absence of automatic landscape irrigation, draught tolerant plants, a contract for renewable energy to provide a minimum 70 percent of the building’s power for a period of two years, recycled or reused non-hazardous construction and demolition water, and skylights and windows to achieve natural daylight in seven percent of the building’s occupied areas.

 

Rigorous Indoor Air Quality Certifications Are First in Glass Fiber Non-Woven Industry

TOLEDO, Ohio, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) , a leading global producer of glass fiber reinforcements for composite systems and residential and commercial building materials, today announced that its glass fiber veils for carpet, ceilings and flooring are the first in the glass non-woven industry to be GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified®. The products were also certified for the more stringent GREENGUARD Children & Schools(SM) product emissions standard.

The qualifications for Owens Corning non-woven glass fiber veil used in carpeting, cushion vinyl flooring and ceilings showcase the company's continued commitment to sustainable industry leadership and stand alongside GREENGUARD Certifications of a wide variety of Owens Corning products including fiberglass insulation, extruded polystyrene foam insulation and manufactured stone veneer.

Glass fiber-based veils and specialty non-wovens are used in multiple applications in industrial applications including batteries, wind turbine blades and pavement reinforcement. In building materials, one of the first market applications was in the cushion vinyl flooring market in Europe as companies there replaced traditional cellulose felt with glass fiber non-wovens to improve dimensional stability. Glass fiber non-wovens are also used in commercial ceiling panels that provide enhanced aesthetics as well as improved acoustic performance. For mold and mildew resistance, glass-based non-wovens are used in gypsum products.

 

Anaheim, CA – February 9, 2010 – Parex USA, Inc. the parent company of leading building material brands; Parex, Teifs, LaHabra, El Rey Stucco, and Merkrete today announced the launch of new set accelerator product, Accel-Pak.

Accel-Pak is an 1 lb. admix that may be used with any Parex 121 Base Coat & Adhesive product to greatly reduce the time required for the material to set an adhesive in EPS insulation. Accel-Pak was primarily designed for winter use but can also be used in other seasons for EIFS patch & repair work.

“Winter is a difficult time for scheduling work on a job site”, said Quenton Roehricht, Brand Manager.
“Workable days can be few and far between and it is critical for the maximum amount of work to be accomplished on these days. Accel-Pak allows contractors to adhesively stick foam and apply base coat in the same day. This process would normally take two days during the winter but Accel-Pak allows contractors to accomplish this in one day!”

Accel-Pak comes as a dry admix to be added to existing base coats and adhesives. Competitors require purchasing a separate "Rapid-Set" base coat & adhesive which typically carries a shorter shelf life. Another advantage of Accel-Pak is its ability to be used in either wet or dry mix 121 series base coat & adhesives providing additional flexibility. Competitors offer their "rapid set" base coat and adhesives as dry mix products only.

"Parex stands for product innovation and service. We provide customers the opportunity to only manage an additional admixture to the products they use and carry instead of an entire new base coat and adhesive which can be an expensive proposition,” Roehricht commented. We’ve provided contractors who are more comfortable using wet mix base coats and adhesives, the benefit of a rapid set admix without being forced to use a dry mix product. These may seem small and simple advantages but they mean a great deal to contractors."

About Parex USA, Inc.

Parex USA, Inc. Parex USA, Inc., a California Corporation, is a subsidiary of the ParexGroup, a division of Materis, S.A., a French Corporation. The ParexGroup is one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals and ready-to-use mortars for the construction industry. With over 45 manufacturing sites in 18 countries the ParexGroup employs more than 2,700 industry professionals who are the corner stone of this thriving global organization. For more information regarding Parex USA, Inc. visit www.parexusa.com.

 

Building is Home to International Media at 2010 Olympic Games

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As media from around the world descend upon Vancouver, B.C. for the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games, they will experience in the Games’ broadcast media center an unparalleled model of sustainability. Designed by Seattle-based LMN Architects, in collaboration with Vancouver-based MCM and DA, the Vancouver Convention Centre West (VCC) has just been awarded LEED® Canada Platinum certification, the first convention centre project in the world to earn what is the program’s highest rating.

A prominent feature to be recognized around the world is the centre’s six-acre living roof, which is Canada’s largest and the biggest non-industrial living roof in North America. Landscaped with 400,000 native plants and grasses, the green roof acts as an insulator to mediate the exterior air temperature, as well as contributes to the building’s stormwater utilization and integrates with the waterfront landscape ecosystem.

Highlights of the building’s green features include:

* Restored marine habitat that is part of the building’s foundation
* On-site black water treatment and desalinization systems that are projected to reduce potable water use 60 to 70 percent over typical convention centers
* A heat pump system that takes advantage of the constant temperature of the adjacent seawater to produce heating and cooling
* Extensive use of local materials, including Douglas fir and Hemlock wood finishes harvested from Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast
* Energy efficient fixtures and advanced energy management systems
* Natural daylighting and ventilation

 

3D laser scanning with digital holographic display offers instant and intuitive visibility of complex data to speed decisions and help prevent costly errors

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- SPAR 2010 -- Zebra Imaging, Inc., the world's foremost provider of 3D holographic display and visualization technologies, transforms point cloud data, BIM model, LIDAR information and other 3D data into high-resolution, accurately-detailed 3D images displayed over 360-degrees without requiring special eyewear. These images help building construction and facility managers, geologists, preservationists and forensic experts communicate complexity, solve problems and make informed business decisions with true 3D display. This week, the company will be showcasing numerous holographic images at SPAR 2010 in booth #23 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center.

 

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--T.Y. Lin International (TYLI), a globally recognized full-service infrastructure consulting firm, is proud to announce that the Sanhao Bridge in Shenyang, China, is the winner of the International Road Federation (IRF) 2009 Global Road Achievement Award (GRAA) for Design. Designed by TYLI’s Chongqing office, this signature cable-stayed bridge features two unique steel arch shaped towers that resemble a butterfly. The prestigious design award recognizes “outstanding achievements in the broad design arena, including aesthetics, applications in challenging environments, cost efficiency and originality.”

The Sanhao Bridge is a new design configuration for cable-supported bridges wherein cables are used to impart additional strength to a girder bridge that, alone, would not be able to attain a given span length. Upon news of the award, TYLI Chairman of the Board, Dr. Man-Chung Tang, who conceptualized the partially cable-stayed girder bridge design acknowledged, “With the completion of the Sanhao Bridge, we have achieved yet another engineering milestone. TYLI addressed the City of Shenyang’s need for a design that would both impact people visually and also inspire a spirit of innovation—the kind of innovation that TYLI engineers have embraced for decades. We strove to encapsulate beauty and simplicity in a structure, and in doing so, raised the engineering practice to new heights.”

 

Delivers Rapid, Easy and High-productivity Indoor Mapping

HOUSTON, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) introduced today an indoor mobile mapping solution for facilities management. Using innovative technologies, the solution produces fast and accurate maps allowing users to translate their environments directly into 2D & 3D models of structured interiors. The solution enables building owners, facilities managers, engineers and construction professionals to more efficiently plan and manage building assets and properties.
The announcement was made today at SPAR 2010 Conference on 3D Imaging and Positioning.
Trimble's new solution makes indoor mapping easier and more affordable and it can be used in a variety of indoor mapping applications. The availability of indoor map data on a large scale can change the way the assets are managed. Not only is the data acquisition process much more efficient, it can be utilized by many facilities management stakeholders via Trimble software and other third-party tools.

 

CORONA, CALIFORNIA – February 8, 2010 – US Tile Announces Title 24 Compliance for All of Its Clay Tile Roofing Products.

US Tile makes it easy for contractors and builders to comply with the new 2010 California Title 24 regulations on any commercial or residential roofing project. All US Tile products, profiles and colors are now Title 24 compliant. No additional testing or certification is needed to conform to the new regulations from the California Energy Commission that went into effect January 1, 2010.

Changes to the Title 24 program in California now affect virtually every roofing project. New requirements for CRRC (Cool Roof Rating Council) Cool Roof color ratings, color fading, product weight and sustainability all factor into the new provisions. US Tile removes the need for detailed product analysis, reflectivity calculations or other product research and documentation needed for compliance. US Tile also warranties against color fading for 20 years, insuring that their products will continue to deliver the Cool Roof, sustainability and energy saving benefits over time.

US Tile is proud to produce the widest array of environmentally sustainable clay roofing products in the nation. US Tiles' domestically produced products are the only roofing tiles in the world to receive the prestigious Cradle-to-Cradle certification for all of domestically produced products. US Tile also delivers the most complete line of naturally occurring color portfolio that reaches a depth and vibrancy other products cannot match.

For detailed information on all of the changes to the 2010 Title 24 requirements, as well as information on all of the US Tile Title 24 compliant products, please visit the Title 24 page on the US Tile web site.

Please note: For additional information about US Tile clay roofing products, Cradle to Cradle Certification, Cool Roofs, LEED point opportunities, or other product or sustainability information, email roofgreen@ustile.com or contact Mike Vogel at (951) 545-7636. For information on all US Tile products, please visit our web site at www.ustile.com.

 

HOUSTON, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Integrated Electrical Services Commercial (NASDAQ:IESC) , a leading national provider of electrical and communications services, announced today that it was presented the prestigious ABC National Safety Excellence Award on Thursday, February 4, 2010 during the 20th Annual Excellence In Construction banquet at the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) National Convention in San Diego, CA. IES was among only 23 winners to receive a Merit award from ABC's membership of more than 25,000 contractor members. IES is being recognized in the Section 7 category for Specialty Contractors with more than two million man-hours worked. Harvey Hammock, vice president for safety at IES, and Robert Warwick, general manager of the East Division for IES, were on-hand to accept the award on behalf of IES.

In 2009, 2,231 ABC contractor members applied for the Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) program. 801 of those earned the prestigious STEP Platinum status, given to companies displaying the highest levels of safety performance and long-term commitment to jobsite safety. The ABC National Safety Excellence Award places only 23 ABC contractor members as the pinnacle for merit shop construction safety in the U.S.

The criteria for determining the winners was based on data submitted via STEP Platinum applications, company interviews and site visits. Award categories were based on a company's total work-hours per calendar year and placement within the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

"IES is part of a select group of ABC contractor members whose achievements in the field of construction safety are truly exceptional," said Chris Williams, director of safety at ABC. "The Excellence in Construction Awards celebration honors the most innovative and high quality construction projects and safety programs in the nation."

The award from ABC continues to add to an impressive resume being built by one of the nation's largest specialty contractors. Other safety-related awards received since 2008 include:

- ABC STEP Gold and Platinum Level Award
- Great Plains Contractor Vanguard of Safety Award of Honor
- IEC-CNA 2009 Safety Award
- Construction Users Round Table (CURT) 2009 Safety Award
- ABC Excellence in Construction Award for the Monsanto Seed Project
- AGC Contractor's Safety Excellence Award
- Clancy & Theys Construction Gold Safety Star Award
- 2009 Gold Hard Hat Award from Colorado Construction magazine

 

PEORIA, Ill., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Caterpillar Administration Building, which serves as the company's world headquarters, has been awarded LEED-EB® O+M (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance) Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Achieving the certification makes the Caterpillar facility, located in downtown Peoria, the first building in Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan area to become LEED-EB certified and the second building in the Caterpillar family to earn the recognition. The Cat Financial Center in Nashville, Tennessee, received LEED-EB certification in April of 2009. LEED is a third-party certification program and a recognized benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED-Gold certification is the second highest rating obtainable in the system.

LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas: sustainable sites, water savings, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

Specific highlights include:
- Decreased energy consumption by 40 percent through improved control systems, operating methods, and lighting automation.
- Implemented a new irrigation system for all landscaped areas resulting in a 50-percent water use reduction
- Implemented a green cleaning program with new environmentally-friendly chemicals and developed an improved pest management program utilizing the least toxic methods.
- Leveraged Caterpillar's purchasing and recycling practices to reduce the environmental impact of materials used and conducted waste stream audits to drive continuous improvement efforts.

 

GREENBELT, Md., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- What does it take to turn silver into gold? For NASA scientists, the answer is "two protons." For Manhattan Construction Company in Washington, it is creative green building solutions which have resulted in the Exploration Sciences Building project becoming the first at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to receive LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The project also earned an additional LEED credit for "Exemplary Performance" in recognition for recycling of construction materials, said Evans.

 

EL PASO, Texas, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gerald W. Cichon, Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso (HACEP), announces a National Green Design Competition for a $10+ million LEED Green Affordable Housing Project supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

HACEP will grant $25,000 awards to the top three finalists of the National Green Design Competition. Award categories will also include Finalist and Honorable Mention. Additional follow-on AE services may be awarded for Phase II, which may provide the successful AE firm with a substantial level of business.

HACEP's goal is to create a spectacular international-quality integrated affordable housing development showing the latest and highest-quality sustainable design practices that minimize the environmental impact of its operations. HACEP launched this architectural competition to design cutting-edge social housing for El Paso. HACEP encourages participating design firms to develop a new exemplary architectural design for affordable housing.

The National Green Design Competition seeks the most talented architects to deliver bold, new, and exciting designs that positively impact the way we live. HACEP is looking for architectural design firms with backgrounds in sustainable architectural innovation to implement creative ideas within technical and financial parameters and utilize original design productivity technology and planning concepts.

 

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Homebuilders recently held its prestigious annual event in Las Vegas, titled "A Night of Recognition". The exclusive affair honored the best of the best homebuilders across the country and, as usual, some of the smartest design and marketing minds were in attendance, hailing from places like New York and California. These heavy hitters from the marketing and architectural industries were there representing the big boys in homebuilding for whom they had created house plans, marketing, and more.

Amid the expected attendees at the event were three star-struck representatives from Schell Brothers, a small homebuilder in Sussex County, Delaware. One of the three, Christina Wagamon, summed it up best, "This night is bigger than life - it's like the Academy Awards for homebuilders." During the evening, Schell Brothers emerged as the beloved underdog, with the MC playing victory music as the women were called to the stage to accept their first award. In a room full of Industry Goliaths, Schell Brothers surprised all by winning not one, but two National Gold Awards: Best "On the Boards" Single Family Detached Home for The Milton model at Heritage Creek in Milton, and Best Interior Merchandising for The Mariner model at The Retreat at Love Creek in Lewes. In addition to the two coveted gold awards, Schell Brothers walked away with three National Silver Awards including Best Custom Home and two Best in American Living Awards. According to Wagamon, it's extremely rare for any company from Delaware to win a single National award, so for one small Delaware homebuilder to win seven in one year is a classic Cinderella story.

 

No-Burn, Incorporated has recently participated in testing with its No-Burn® Plus intumescent coating over spray polyurethane foam plastic insulation manufactured by BASF Polyurethane Foam Enterprises LLC to achieve the required ignition barrier rating for code compliance under applicable sections of the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC). No-Burn® Plus intumescent coating is accepted for use over BASF’s semi-rigid, open-cell polyurethane foam plastic insulation, branded ENERTITE® US, in attics and crawlspaces without a prescriptive ignition barrier per ACC-377 test results and as referenced in the recently released IAPMO ES Report No. 0172.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of the testing performed with No-Burn® Plus over this foam plastic insulation product,” stated Bill Kish, President of No-Burn, Incorporated of Wadsworth, Ohio. Mr. Kish continued, “This provides users of this product with a practical and economically attractive option for meeting ignition barrier requirements, and fits nicely with our continuing efforts to develop and market high performance coating products that have a meaningful impact on our customers and other stakeholders. We look forward to continuing to expand our presence in the spray foam industry by providing innovative products that offer tangible benefit to the customers we share with providers of SPF.”

According to the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, “Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) insulation is rigid, lightweight, flexible, wind resistant, and effective in extreme temperatures and weather conditions. SPF insulation has the highest R-value per square inch of any commercially available insulation material.”

No-Burn® Plus intumescent paint has a host of end-uses including application as a fire protection measure over wood, gypsum wallboard, and a wide variety of other paintable surfaces. Additional information may be obtained by contacting No-Burn, Inc. at 800-989-8577, email to info@noburn.com or through the Web: www.noburn.com. To learn more about BASF Polyurethane Foam Enterprises LLC, please visit www.basf-pfe.com.

No-Burn, Incorporated has been leading the way in the field of fire resistance technology since 1998. By removing the fuel a fire needs to burn, these products dramatically reduce the possibility of a fire ever starting when applied over substrates such as wood, drywall, fabric, carpet, furniture, fiber-reinforced plastic and many other materials. Equally important, No-Burn® can reduce toxic smoke by as much as 80 percent. All No-Burn® products carry a “Class A” rating and are completely non-toxic and non-carcinogenic. Several No-Burn® products also offer a dual level of protection, reducing the risk of fire and resisting the growth of toxic-black mold. To learn more, please visit our Web site: www.noburn.com, or contact us at 800-989-8577 / 330-336-1500.

 

Trimble CX 3D Scanner Captures Dense Clouds of Data Ideal for Recording As-Built Structures for Mechanical, Engineering and Plumbing Contractors

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) today introduced the Trimble® CX(TM) 3D Scanner for building construction applications. This advanced, high-accuracy sensor captures more than 50,000 position points per second - enough data to record the details of a target's shape, size and position with very high precision. It is ideal for building construction applications requiring the accurate measurement of as-built structures, in particular, by mechanical, engineering, and plumbing contractors involved in HVAC and pipe installations.

The announcement was made today at World of Concrete 2010, the concrete industry's annual international event dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries.

When preparing to install a new HVAC or pipe system, contractors can use the Trimble CX 3D Scanner to accurately record existing systems and spaces to ensure the new installation will fit correctly - even before it is designed. This capability can prevent errors and rework, increase overall efficiency, and help provide contractors with a competitive edge.

Trimble proprietary WAVEPULSE(TM) technology in the Trimble CX 3D Scanner combines the high short-range accuracy of phase-shift technology with the low-noise sensitivity and high-distance characteristics of time-of-flight technology. This ensures high-precision measurements over the full operating range to provide clean 3D data. An integrated camera collects additional image information, which improves the visualization, post-processing and communication of captured data. A rugged design with IP54 rating and protective housing for the rotating laser ensures the Trimble CX 3D Scanner delivers continuous, reliable results even in difficult building construction environments.

With the intuitive, streamlined Trimble Access(TM) software running on the Trimble Tablet(TM) Rugged PC, capturing data with the Trimble CX 3D Scanner is fast and easy to learn. Data can then be seamlessly transferred from Trimble Access to Trimble RealWorks(TM) or Trimble LASERGen(TM) office software. Trimble RealWorks provides tools to identify features captured and simplify the interpretation of data.

The Trimble CX 3D Scanner is available now from select dealers in Trimble's North America Building Construction Distribution Network.

 

 

Multiquip / EZ Grout Hog Crusher Job Site Material Recycler Saves Time and Money

World of Concrete 2010

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Multiquip, a diverse manufacturer and supplier of industrial products and solutions, will be displaying its EZ Grout Hog Crusher Job Site Material Recycler (Hog Crusher) at World of Concrete today.

Multiquip’s Hog Crusher is capable of pulverizing recyclable material in minutes, thus eliminating the need to have debris removed from construction job sites. The product is capable of recycling materials such as brick, block, stone, rock, asphalt and non-reinforced concrete. The Hog Crusher can reduce material down to two inches or smaller and can discharge up to ten tons per hour.

Featuring built-in forklift pockets, the Hog Crusher easily attaches to a skid steer loader or forklift. The machine has a one-half yard capacity, a 24 inch crushing rotor and has heavy steel plate construction. Additionally, the Hog Crusher uses replaceable carbide bits, a hardened breaker, as well as cleaner and cheek plates for easy on-site maintenance.

 

Hampshire, IL – W. R. MEADOWS is proud to announce its newest product to their line of construction-grade grouts, 588-10K.

588-10K is a hydraulic-cement-based, precision, non-shrink, load-bearing grout designed to transfer load effectively and safely, ensuring long service time of the grouted item. It is a non-corrosive, non-metallic, mineral-based precision grout, developed to have high initial and ultimate flexural and compressive strengths. It can be mixed quickly, as needed, on the jobsite. 588-10K offers exceptional workability and is easily placed by pouring or pumping. The product is designed to give non-shrink performance under various conditions for both interior and exterior applications.

588-10K is designed for precision grouting of machinery and equipment base plates, windmill turbines, generators, rolling mills, compressors, or similar types of machinery. 588-10K is also designed for grouting soleplates, bridge seats, precast columns and beams, steel column pads, precast beams, and segmental bridge construction. 588-10K can also be used for anchoring of guardrails, signposts, bridge seats, anchor bolts, guide wires, and dowels.

For more information on 588-10K, call (847) 214-2100, e-mail info@wrmeadows.com, or visit www.wrmeadows.com.

 

5th Annual Awards recognition of outstanding green building projects, professionals and companies in the state of Maryland

BALTIMORE, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U. S. Green Building Council, Maryland Chapter (USGBC Maryland) announced the recipients of the 2009 Green Building Awards. This annual awards program now in its 5th year recognizes projects, professionals and companies that exemplify innovative green and sustainability practices. Congressman John Sarbanes and Goucher President Sandy Ungar gave the opening comments to over 500 attendees of the green building community at the awards ceremony on Thursday, January 28, at the Athenaeum at Goucher College.

Acknowledged are projects and professionals who meet the USGBC Maryland mission statement to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live, work, learn and heal.

Award recipients include the Awake House, a one-story, water and energy efficient home with excellent air quality and low operating costs that serves four tenants with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Baltimore Medical System, a 30,000-square-foot building that received a LEED Platinum rating; and Health Care for the Homeless' 56,000-square-foot building. In addition, the Young Professional award went to students at Harford Technical High School, which partnered with Harford Habitat for Humanity to build a LEED Modular Home. After learning about the guidelines and parameters, they were the first high school students to construct a LEED Modular Home in Maryland.

The following recipients received awards:
- Homes: The Awake House
- Commercial Interiors: Baltimore Medical System Highlandtown Healthy Living Center
- Core and Shell: Schilling Green
- Existing Buildings: One Washingtonian Center
- Major Renovation: 217 International Circle
- New Construction: Health Care for the Homeless
- Schools and Universities: Evergreen Elementary School
- Un-built work: Woodlands Perryville
- Young Professional: HABITECH GB1: Harford Technical High School's Habitat for Humanity project
- Special Accomplishment: Greenwood Initiative
- Special Accomplishment: Stanley Sersen
- Special Accomplishment: The Athenaeum at Goucher College
- Special Accomplishment: Fairfield Inn
- Special Accomplishment in Green Development: Corporate Office Properties Trust
- Special Accomplishment in Green Construction: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
- Special Accomplishment in Green Transformation: St. John Properties, Inc.
- Member of the Year: Zolna Russell
- Elected Official of the Year: The Honorable Dan K. Morhaim
- Board Member of the Year: Amy Wortman
- Volunteer of the Year: Tracy Marquis
- Volunteer of the Year: Heather Dalton
- People's Choice: 217 International Circle
- President's Award: David Pratt

Other entries that received special recognition are as follows:

- PNC Bank: Harbor East Branch
- 1414 Key Highway Offices
- 3700 Fleet Street
- Gateway Exchange Three
- Miller's Court
- Herring Run Watershed Center
- Old Town Youth Center
- SEED School of Maryland Dormitories
- Chuck Cooper - USGBC Northern Chesapeake Branch

 

ONTARIO, Calif., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Sustainable Building Industry today has a powerful and revolutionary new tool at its disposal with the formal release of IAPMO's Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement, the most comprehensive document ever created to standardize sustainable residential and commercial plumbing and mechanical systems.

"The building codes are perhaps the biggest hindrance to the adoption of green buildings," said Dave Viola, IAPMO director of Special Services and staff liaison to the Green Technical Committee (GTC) that developed the document. "There's so little information about how to do green systems properly and safely within existing building codes, so we've rolled out a document that shows exactly how it's done."

The Green Supplement serves as a complement to any adopted plumbing and mechanical code, smoothly bridging the previously troublesome gap between existing codes and established green building programs. Where code language and green building concepts lack cohesion, the Green Supplement creates harmony by addressing such areas as:

- Use of alternate water sources (gray water, rainwater harvesting)
- Proper use of high-efficiency plumbing products
- Conservation of hot water
- Energy conservation in HVAC systems
- Training/education in green plumbing systems

Established in January 2008, the 25-member GTC is comprised of a who's who of industry leaders in all facets of the sustainable plumbing and mechanical fields, along with 60 other plumbers, contractors, engineers, inspectors and energy/water conservation experts enlisted for task groups.

 

Horizon at Playa Vista, a modern urban office development encompassing 466,000 square feet of space in the east end of Playa Vista, has been awarded Gold LEED Core & Shell (CS) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the first ground-up office building construction in Los Angeles to achieve the distinction in this category.

Horizon at Playa Vista was developed by Lincoln Property Company and ASB Real Estate Investments, and currently consists of two, five-story buildings surrounded by pedestrian pathways and open courtyard spaces. The buildings incorporate a number of modern aspects, including a progressive contemporary design by renowned architecture firm Johnson Fain and state-of-the-art workplace technology. The building is located in the burgeoning community of Playa Vista. Today, more than 6,500 people live in Playa Vista, the first mixed-use community to be built in West Los Angeles in the last 50 years.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the U.S. Green Building Council’s primary rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy-efficient and high-performing buildings. The LEED Core & Shell category is typically reserved for those projects where the developer does not control all aspects of the building’s design and construction. There is an understanding that some tenant-related systems are not determined by the building owner.

LEED Certification of Horizon at Playa Vista was based on a number of green measures taken to reduce the project’s impact on the environment and prevent global climate change. These measures include: a sustainable site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Universal Consumer Products announces the addition of Deckorators® aluminum deck railing to its spring 2010 lineup. Long known as the leader in decorative railing in-fill products, Deckorators now offers a fully integrated railing kit of its own.

The sleek, durable top profile creates an eye-catching appearance and is compatible with all Deckorators baluster styles. This innovative new railing system is available in powder-coated black or white and features a lifetime limited warranty. The rails are sold in kits to make purchasing simple. Post sleeves, stair rail bracket kits, angled brackets and matching post caps are also available. All kits can be shipped via UPS.

This new line also features two matching styles and colors of post caps to accent the railing. Deckorators aluminum post caps, available in black or white, include a pyramid and a square, solar-powered post cap. The solar post cap requires no wiring or electricity and comes with two rechargeable AA batteries. The small solar collector rests atop an attractive silhouette light made of shatter-resistant glass. Its glow is perfect for casting a relaxing ambiance on deck areas.

“As an industry leader, we continue to push the design envelope and give builders and consumers world-class options for decks and outdoor living areas. We’re confident our new railing system will be a hit as we showcase it at the 2010 LBM Expo in Boston," said Rick Preble, Director of Product Development for Universal Consumer Products.

Deckorators aluminum railing and deck and fence railing accessories are available through an established network of building material retailers in the United States and Canada. Visit www.deckorators.com for complete information.

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation national sales manager Bob Johnson was recently honored by KB Home, one of America's premier homebuilders, with its first-ever Michael Ulinski Leadership Award. Presented at the KB Home Strategic Supplier Conference, the award recognizes Johnson's leadership in the appliance industry, as well as in the building industry.

According to KB Home, the Michael Ulinski Leadership Award is considered to be the uppermost honor for its suppliers. A 25-year veteran at Masco Corporation, Ulinski was a well-respected leader in the building industry. He received the KB Home supplier leadership award October 2008 before passing away in August 2009. KB Home decided to rename its supplier leadership award in his memory, recognizing a strategic supplier who shares the same leadership qualities as Ulinski.

"Michael Ulinski will always be held in high regard in our industry and it's a great testament to Bob Johnson's leadership skills for him to receive this award," said Daniel Bridleman, vice president, national contracts and studio for KB Home. "Whether it's helping us find innovative ways to solve problems, reduce costs or better meet the needs of our homebuyers, he always puts KB Home first."

In 2008, Johnson and the KB Home team implemented a program to ensure that every new KB home features only ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances.

"This is a major honor for our team and a well deserved award for Bob's success in representing Whirlpool Corporation to KB Home," said Tom Halford, general manager, contract sales and marketing at Whirlpool Corporation.

The award also further reinforces the strong relationship Whirlpool Corporation has had with KB Home since 1993.

 

APF will be offering a Moisture Remediation Seminar (CES), titled 'Understanding Concrete Moisture Issues,' and will also be featuring their Cem-Rez HT, micro-topping product at the 'Innovations in Architectural and Decorative Concrete' panel.

GLENDALE, Ariz., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- APF is proud to announce that they are founding sponsors in the first annual Concrete Decor Show of 2010 in Phoenix, AZ from March 16-19th. The tradeshow will focus specifically on the decorative concrete market and feature some major players in decorative concrete training including their own APF professionals and experts, John Schneider, Moisture Remediation expert and Daniel Owen, Vice President of Arizona Polymer Flooring.

APF will be offering two seminars on Moisture Remediation, by John Schneider. One seminar will be targeted towards contractors called "Turning Moisture Remediation Problems Into Profit." This seminar will teach contractors how to effectively evaluate and remediate concrete floors with moisture issues and how to turn problems into a source of profit. John Schneider will share his experience in this area, where there is an increasing need for solutions. He will cover testing procedures and installation of a moisture stop system, plus how to estimate and sell these services. The course will also provide a general understanding of vapor-related problems in concrete and how to talk to property owners or architects about these topics. A certificate of completion will be provided.

The second Moisture Remediation seminar, titled "Understanding Concrete Moisture Issues," will be a CES (Continuing Education Seminar) targeted towards architects and architectural specifiers.

In addition to the Moisture Remediation seminars, APF will also feature Cem-Rez HT during the "Innovations in Architectural and Decorative Concrete" press conference panel. This new interior micro-topping product was selected because it combines the benefits of design versatility, a long working life, and a superior high durability finish. No other trowelable micro-topping product currently on the market offers all three attributes. Daniel Owen, Vice President of Arizona Polymer Flooring will be on the panel to answer questions.

For more information about DCS 2010. Please visit their website: http://www.concretedecorshow.com/.

 

Entire DensArmor Plus(R) Line Joins Company's Exterior Products in Offering Industry-Leading Coverage

ATLANTA, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia-Pacific Gypsum - the first manufacturer to offer extended Weather Exposure Limited Warranties for fiberglass mat gypsum panels - is now doubling the weather exposure limited warranty for its entire line of DensArmor Plus® interior panels from six months to 12 months.

All of the following Georgia-Pacific Gypsum fiberglass mat interior panels now offer a 12-month weather exposure limited warranty:

- DensArmor Plus® High-Performance Interior Panels
- DensArmor Plus® Abuse-Resistant Interior Panels
- DensArmor Plus® Impact-Resistant Interior Panels


These interior products join Georgia-Pacific Gypsum's exterior products - its flagship DensGlass® Sheathing and DensGlass® Shaftliner - in offering the industry-leading 12-month weather exposure limited warranty for the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Recently, the DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panels*, along with DensShield® Tile Backer, became the first gypsum panel products to pass the industry's most stringent mold resistance test. The 12-week test, conducted in accordance with the US Environmental Protection Agency's ASTM D 6329 ** protocol, is three times longer and much more rigorous than ASTM D 3273, the current industry standard.

No other gypsum products manufacturer has announced test results showing zero mold growth for 12 full weeks for any product.

The 12-month weather exposure limited warranty extension and the 12-week test results continue the long history of "firsts" achieved by Georgia-Pacific Gypsum via its Dens(TM) family of products, which were first introduced more than 20 years ago. Georgia-Pacific Gypsum was the first company to offer fiberglass mat products, the first to score a 10, the highest rating, when tested, as manufactured, under ASTM D 3273 and the first to offer an extended weather exposure limited warranty.

The DensArmor Plus Interior Panels were also the first to be GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® and GREENGUARD Children & Schools(SM) Certified as low-emitting gypsum panels, and were among the first gypsum panels to be listed by The Collaborative for High Performing Schools® (CHPS(TM)) as low-emitting materials.

For more information on the Dens line please visit www.gpgypsum.com. To see online case studies, please visit http://www.youtube.com/gpdens.

* Test results limited to DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panel and do not include DensArmor Plus Abuse-Resistant Interior Panels and DensArmor Plus Impact-Resistant Panels.

 

The new website features live chats with technical representatives, online tools, expert industry blog and resource guide for architectural specifiers and contractors.

GLENDALE, Ariz., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizona Polymer Flooring, manufacturer of resinous polymer flooring materials for concrete for over 25 years, announces the launch of their new website,. "It's been a long time coming but it's finally here. We are pleased to announce that we've added some great features to help our customers with their flooring projects," states Leane Owen, Marketing Director at APF.

You can browse through APF's systems and individual products and all the associated technical data that you need is right at your fingertips. If you have a question about one of the systems or products, you can go to the "Live Help" feature and talk in real-time to an APF technical representative. Other features, such as the System Guide, allow users to narrow down the right system for their flooring project based on the specifications of a project. From there, you can utilize the Project Estimator to estimate material needs based on a chosen flooring system and square footage.

Architects and Architectural Specifiers have a section of resource information targeted to their specific needs. Technical data such as MSDS, architectural drawings, specifications and product datasheets are easily accessible. Case studies are available to provide a better understanding of the APF flooring systems in practical application. The Green Products section offers information regarding products that are suitable for environmentally sensitive projects. In addition to this, all APF brochures and color charts are now available online and easily downloadable.

Commercial, Industrial and Residential Contractors also have a section of resources that is dedicated to technical documentation including system application instructions, a list of official APF distributors by state and information regarding seminars and training.

 

Revolutionary System Offers Two Doors in One

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Overhead Door Corporation is proud to introduce their landmark RapidSlat™ door system to architects, facility managers and business owners across the country. The door system, which combines the best of both worlds; speed and efficiency, as well as strength and durability, is an advancement of the Rolling Steel line. Typically, businesses which need both speed and security are forced to utilize two doors, a lightweight yet highly efficient fabric door and a heavier more durable rolling steel door for security purposes. Operating and maintaining two doors equates to double the costs and often times lower profits. As an organization, Overhead Door Corporation saw an opportunity to meet an unmet need in the marketplace. Our revolutionary RapidSlat™ door system offers the convenience of two doors in one and solves this problem for one low price.

Karen Cohen Senior Product Manager for Overhead Door Corporation says, “This unique product offering eliminates the need for business owners to install two doors to enjoy the combination of speed and security. RapidSlat™ satisfies the need for the speed provided by a high-performance door without sacrificing the safety and security provided by a rolling steel door. In addition to offering speed, security, and durability, RapidSlat™ doors are also safe, rugged, and easy-to-operate. Furthermore, when compared to standard rolling steel doors they can provide increased productivity and maximum energy efficiency. Finally someone has offered customers a real solution to their dilemma in choosing between speed and security. At Overhead Door we say, why choose?”

RapidSlat™ shares the same general construction of the Rolling Steel line with enhancements and upgrades including:

* Reliable springless operation eliminating the need for a counterbalance
* A variety of windload, insulation, and weather seal options to cover all applications
* Universal components for easy maintenance
* Advanced diagnostics for fast and easy trouble-shooting
* Built-in safety features including a sensing edge and photo edge for peace of mind
* A self-energizing stop lock brake to prevent uncontrolled curtain travel
* An easy to clean anti-graffiti powdercoat finish
* Two-year or 300,000 cycle limited warranty coverage on components
* Five-year limited warranty coverage on the motor

Perfectly suited for applications in high-traffic areas such as auto dealerships, hospitals, parking garages, loading docks, and delivery bays, RapidSlat™ is ideal for the harshest of environments. The RapidSlat™ door system will be available beginning January 20, 2010. For additional information please contact your local Ribbon Distributor or call (800) 929-DOOR.

 

JONESBORO, Ark., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Farr Air Pollution Control (APC), a leading producer of dust and fume collectors to clean up industrial processes, has announced that the company will now operate under the name Camfil Farr Air Pollution Control (APC).

"This name change reflects our company's expansion from a leading North American dust collection manufacturer to an international player," states company president Lee Morgan. Camfil Farr APC is a subsidiary of Camfil Farr, the world's largest air filter manufacturer. "The dust collection business unit has merged two well-known and respected names - Farr APC in North America and Camfil Farr in the rest of the world - to create a single identity that will have global recognition."

Camfil Farr APC is headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas and has ISO 9001 certified factories in Manchester, England; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Levice, Slovakia. The company also has facilities and sales offices in a rapidly growing number of countries worldwide.

For further information, contact Camfil Farr APC at (800) 479-6801 or (870) 933-8048; fax (800) 222-6891; or write to Camfil Farr APC, 3505 S. Airport Road, Jonesboro, AR 72401; e-mail filterman@farrapc.com; web www.farrapc.com.

 

Enhanced Whirlpool, Maytag and KitchenAid Brand Web Sites Help Consumers Locate Rebates for Energy-Efficient Appliance Purchases

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (Jan. 25, 2010) – Whirlpool Corporation continues its legacy of leadership in energy efficiency with the launch of an easy-to-use rebate finder tool on three of its brand Web sites – Whirlpool, Maytag and KitchenAid brands. As a manufacturer and marketer of more than 300 ENERGY STAR® qualified major appliances in the U.S. and Canada, Whirlpool Corporation created the tool to help consumers navigate and make the most of the “Cash for Appliances” rebate program.

By entering a local zip code and appliance type, the online tool instantly informs the consumer of the amount of applicable state rebates through the federal program. While rebate terms and eligible products vary greatly, many states offer generous rebates for qualified washers, dishwashers and refrigerators. Additionally, the rebate finder will provide information on rebates from a consumer’s local utility company if available.

“Cash for Appliances” is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a Department of Energy (DOE) program providing nearly $300 million to fund state-run rebate programs for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances.

“The ‘Cash for Appliances’ program is a great incentive for consumers to purchase new, energy-efficient appliances and retire their energy draining older appliances,” said Warwick Stirling, Whirlpool global director of energy and sustainability. “The rebate on the purchase of a new ENERGY STAR® qualified appliance is just the beginning of the savings. Ultimately, it’s an investment that will provide monthly savings on utility bills and benefit the environment through reduced energy and water use.”

Beyond the Rebates

Whirlpool brand leads the industry with the Resource Saver™ refrigerator, the most energy efficient side-by-side ever. It exceeds federal energy standards by 30 percent and consumes less energy annually than a 60-watt light bulb under continuous operation. According to the ENERGY STAR program, by replacing any refrigerator made before 1993 with a new ENERGY STAR® qualified model, consumers can save up to $65 per year in operating costs.

ENERGY STAR® qualified washers are leaders in energy and water savings. Replacing a traditional top-load washer made before 2000 with a new ENERGY STAR® model can save consumers up to $135 per year according to the DOE. Whirlpool Corporation offers both front- and top-load high-efficiency washers. The Whirlpool brand Duet® front-load washer (model WFW9700V) uses 74 percent less water and 80 less energy saving up to $1,000 in lifetime water and energy costs.* The Maytag® Bravos® top-load washer can save the consumer up to $900 in lifetime water and energy costs.*

Commitment to ENERGY STAR® Qualification

As a leader in developing high-performance appliances which conserve resources, Whirlpool Corporation has been an ENERGY STAR® partner since 1998 most recently earning the ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award four in years in a row (2006-2009). This award is the most prestigious by the ENERGY STAR® program and given only to select organizations that have exhibited outstanding, ongoing leadership in their industries.

Visit www.whirlpool.com, www.maytag.com or www.kitchenaid.com for more information. For detailed state-by-state information, visit the federal Web site at www.energysavers.gov and click on “state appliance rebate program.”

About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The company’s The Inside Advantage™ Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Market Insight to support building professionals.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2008, 70,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit www.insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-952-2537.

 

Monitoring temperature, CO2 and humidity from one GE unit can save building owners 20% of ventilation costs

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The new Ventostat 8000 series, from GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies, monitors temperature, carbon dioxide (CO2) and humidity via one cost effective transmitter unit. This allows building managers to easily control indoor air quality within a building management system. Through monitoring, energy loss from over ventilation can be reduced and may provide building owners a savings of up to 20% of the ventilation costs.

“The combination of humidity, temperature and CO2 monitoring is a new process that provides our customers with lower purchase and installation cost,” said Chris Ranwell, Global Product Manager at GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies.

Replacing the existing Telaire Ventostat, this new transmitter for HVAC demand control ventilation brings three technologies together into one sleek modern design. The Ventostat was recently honored with Chicago Athenaeum’s Good Design Award, recognizing designers and manufacturers for advancing new and innovative product concepts and designs.

The patented ABC Logic self-calibration logarithms provide a lifetime calibration guarantee, which eliminates long-term cost. GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies designs a wide range of sensors that help monitor indoor air quality and help maximize energy use. GE building transmitters, such as those found in the Ventostat product family, can help achieve green building objectives and reduce a building’s environmental footprint.

 

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Entech Solar, Inc. (OTC BB: ENSL.OB) (the “Company”, “Entech Solar”) is pleased to announce the launch and immediate availability of its new Entech™ Tubular Skylight, a state-of-the-art tubular skylight developed based on Entech Solar’s patented Solar Collimator™ technology. This proprietary Solar Collimator is designed to provide superior optical efficiency, increase lumen output, and improve light distribution over conventional tubular skylights, providing enhanced all-day illumination in desired areas.

The Entech Tubular Skylight is suitable for most commercial and industrial buildings that can benefit from natural daylighting, such as deep interior spaces of offices, warehouses, retail stores, manufacturing facilities, schools and hospitals. It can also contribute to a building meeting the certification requirements for the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System, a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

 

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time ever, GE Appliances & Lighting will announce finalists in its prestigious and long-running annual GE Edison Award global lighting design competition. GE will reveal the list of finalists as part of its participation in Light+Building 2010, one of the world’s leading trade fairs for architecture and technology, held April 11-16, 2010, in Frankfurt, Germany. GE’s presence at the show in Booth D20 of Hall 4.1 will showcase numerous advanced lighting technologies, including light-emitting diode (LED) systems and components.

The GE Edison Award competition—which recognizes excellence and quality in professional lighting designs that employ the significant use of GE light sources (lamps and/or LEDs)—is open to professional designers, architects, engineers and consultants from anywhere in the world. Entries are judged on functional excellence; architectural compatibility; effective use of state–of–the–art lighting products and techniques; appropriate color, form and texture revelation; energy effectiveness and cost effectiveness. Judges this year come from France and the U.S.

All qualifying entrants—the finalists named at Light+Building 2010—will be invited to an awards ceremony held Tuesday, May 11, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, the evening before the start of LightFair International. During the May 2010 ceremony, designers who have been designated as winners of Awards of Excellence, Awards of Merit, the Award for Excellence in Environmental Design and the Award for Residential Design will be recognized with personalized plaques acknowledging their lighting design achievements. The identity of the final 2009 GE Edison Award Winner (awarded in 2010) will remain confidential until announced at the awards ceremony. The winner will receive a personalized Steuben crystal trophy and continued publicity throughout the following year. A distinctive plaque will also be presented to the owner of the winning installation.

All lighting projects submitted for award consideration must have been completed between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009. For more information about the GE Edison Awards visit www.GEEdisonAward.com.

Because Light+Building is a biennial show, GE will select another venue for the following year’s finalist announcement. “We expect to make the finalist announcement a permanent lead-in to the GE Edison Award ceremony,” adds Phillips.

 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Universal Consumer Products, a subsidiary of Universal Forest Products, Inc. and maker of Latitudes composite decking and railing, announces the addition of Latitudes Intrepid™ Railing to its spring 2010 lineup.

Latitudes Intrepid Railing
Latitudes Intrepid composite railing features a robust, symmetrical railing profile with an innovative hidden fastener system. The concealed mounting hardware allows for fast, easy installation and provides a clean, seamless appearance. The pre-drilled insert rail assures proper spacing and ease of assembly. This new railing is code-compliant without the use of special inserts for added reinforcement. The Latitudes Intrepid railing system also features a 2x4 rail that can be used to mount all Latitudes ornamental baluster infills into the railing system.
Latitudes 25-Year Limited Warranty
Latitudes Decking and Railing systems, including Capricorn™ composite decking and all composite and ornamental baluster infills, now boast a new 25-year limited warranty. All Latitudes composite decking and Intrepid Railing products employ proven Strandex® technology, which promotes long-lasting beauty and minimal upkeep. Latitudes Marine composite decking, when used in residential applications, will also be covered by the new 25-year limited warranty. Latitudes Luster® Railing will retain its current 20-year limited warranty.

 

Region’s Most Prominent Green Building Event Will Focus on the Economic Benefits of Green Building Practices and Advances in Green Design

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In its ninth year, the Built Green Conference, the Pacific Northwest’s main green building event attended by thousands in the industry, will be held March 12 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Wash. The event is hosted by Built Green, an environmentally-friendly, non-profit, residential building program of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, which has certified over 14,500 homes since 1999.

Attendees will gain in-depth knowledge of the value that green building certification can add to residential properties, while highlighting the rapidly changing nature of green design as architects and builders push technology and innovation further. This year the conference’s trade floor will also be open to the public.

Educational sessions held throughout the day will provide valuable information to builders and designers who need to understand the mindset of homebuyers who are showing a preference for green-certified homes. In Seattle in 2008, Built Green Certified townhomes appreciated by 8 percent while the uncertified homes depreciated by 4 percent. Similarly, sales of Built Green certified homes in east King County rose from 9 to 23 percent since 2005.

This year’s conference will feature Professor David Orr as the keynote speaker. Mr. Orr is the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies at Oberlin College and is the author of “Design on the Edge: The Making of a High Performance Building.” Mr. Orr led the effort to design and build a $7.2 million Environmental Studies Center at Oberlin, a building described by The New York Times as one of 30 “Milestone” buildings of the 20th century. Mr. Orr brings into focus the evolving nature of green design and the increasingly important role building design plays in protecting and enhancing the natural world.

For designers, builders and the ecologically minded, Mr. Orr’s presentation will serve as an anchor for a conference that will focus on both the urgency of environmental issues associated with building, from climate change to urban sprawl, and the opportunities that smart environmental design presents as designers look to the future.

According to Aaron Adelstein, executive director of the Built Green Program of King and Snohomish Counties, “With several educational sessions addressing topics such as the market forces driving up the value of green-certified property, the state of lending, and remodeling for energy efficiency, builders will learn why applying green building practices and achieving green building certification can make the difference when it comes to a residential project’s success during these tough economic times.”

For prospective home buyers, the trade floor provides an opportunity to learn about what makes a home truly green and to talk to builders suppliers of green building products and services in order to make an informed decision about purchasing a truly green home. At the same time, homeowners who are considering a remodel will get the information they need to decrease their home’s existing environmental footprint while creating a more efficient, livable space. Consumers will have the chance to learn how a green certified home can increase their property value while providing a safer, more comfortable residence.

 

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- According to a recent online survey by Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR) , the majority of consumers (68 percent) want to live "green" but only if it is convenient to their lifestyle. The study, conducted on its behalf by Harris Interactive®, found that while finances are top of mind and consumers are still on the hunt for a good bargain, many are unwilling to compromise; searching until they find the right product at the right price.

Overall, the survey demonstrates that consumers are becoming more and more savvy about how best to spend - and save - their hard-earned money. In fact, more than half of adults (59%) said they would rather spend more money now to save energy (and money) later when it came to home appliances. With that in mind, Whirlpool Corporation continues to lead the industry when it comes to efficiency, offering more than 300 ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances, more than any other manufacturer.

Sixty-eight percent of adults said they do their best to be green to the extent that it fits into their lifestyles and their finances. Fortunately, Whirlpool Corporation offers some of the most water and energy efficient products on the market, in the kitchen and the laundry room and across all price points.

The survey also found that the majority of adults (68 percent) said they will search until they find the product they are looking for at the right price. Opinions varied by region with those from the South indicating that they will search until they find the product they are looking for at the right price (77%), while Midwesterners indicated that they will buy what is on sale (25%).

And, no surprise here, men and women had different opinions. More women (71 percent), as opposed to men (65 percent), are willing to search until they find the product they are looking for at the right price. Interestingly, 35-44 year-old men are more willing than women to sacrifice certain features and/or eco-efficiency to spend less (24% vs. 21% respectively).

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Whirlpool Corporation from November 20-24, 2009 among 2,089 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact media@whirlpool.com.

 

New SplitCool DC18 Unit is Designed for Off-Grid Solar for Commercial and Residential Locations
AHR EXPO 2010

CHESAPEAKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solar Panels Plus (SPP), designer and manufacturer of solar water heaters, solar air conditioning/heating systems and photovoltaic solar panels, has released the SplitCool DC18, the world’s first and only DC-powered, high SEER air conditioning system. The SplitCool DC18 is ideal for any commercial or residential location where cooling or heating is required and grid power is unavailable, unreliable or requires generators (with potentially complex or costly refueling logistics).

The SplitCool DC18 runs off a battery bank that is supplied power from an array of photovoltaic panels and installs without ducts, eliminating the majority of installation and materials costs. The unit can be added quickly to an existing structure and eliminates nearly 30 percent of cooling or heating losses which occur in the ductwork of forced air systems. It allows each room to be conditioned as a separate zone. The SplitCool DC18 can be used in permanent and temporary remote buildings or structures, such as construction office trailers, portable classrooms or medical facilities.

There are other advantages to the SplitCool DC18 versus a traditional window or wall unit including that the remote compressor makes it significantly quieter and does not require a large hole in exterior walls. It also allows an interior room without an exterior wall to be cooled up to 50 feet away. The unit uses four or more 12 volt standard deep cycle batteries.

The SplitCool DC18 uses a brushless, permanent magnet DC motor with a digital frequency driver that allows it to size itself dynamically based on load with a variable speed and variable refrigerant flow compressor, unlike a normal AC unit that has two speeds, stop and go. On a given day it can be an 18,000 BTU unit or a 4,000, 8,000, or 12,000 BTU unit based on need. By eliminating the on-off cycle of traditional air conditioners, the SplitCool DC18 is more efficient and it can provide more hours of cooling while using less power.

Solar Panels Plus will be demonstrating the new SplitCool DC18 air conditioning system at the AHR Expo, Monday, January 25-Wednesday, January 27, in booth #1989. To schedule a meeting with Solar Panels Plus or for more information, contact Bill Keeler or Evan Siff at 781 684-0770 or spp@schwartz-pr.com.

 

Pella installation method enhances energy with less expense, effort -

PELLA, Iowa, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Replacing windows or doors with more energy-efficient options often meant you had to also tear out and shell out more money to replace exterior siding. Even though you might have only replaced a few windows or doors, you often had to replace all of the structure's exterior siding to maintain a color match to avoid your home or business looking like a patchwork quilt.

Now you can enhance energy efficiency and retain your existing siding, plus more of your hardearned money, thanks to an innovative new method for installing Pella replacement windows and doors.

Pella Corporation Installation Engineer Tim Heitkamp said Pella's new method saves time, money and maintains the looks of the structure. "Pella's new low profile replacement installation process is low-impact to the home or business, since you don't have to cut back or replace siding as you're installing new Pella windows and doors. That way you can replace all the windows and doors or once or as many at a time as your budget allows, and the exterior of your home still matches, instead of looking like a series of patches," he said.

So what's the difference in Pella's low profile process? In traditional construction replacement methods, exterior siding or trim has to first be cut back or removed. Then installers tear out the old window with nailing fin and install a new window or door with nailing fin, which holds the new window or door in place as the unit is installed. Once that's completed, siding, J-channel, or trim has to be reapplied or replaced.

 

Laundry Leader Brings Largest Capacity to Market in ENERGY STAR(R) qualified Washer

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Historically, consumers have preferred the look and feel of top-load laundry in their homes, and recent advances have improved both capacity and efficiency. With the launch of the newest Cabrio® high efficiency (HE) top-load washer and dryer, laundry leader Whirlpool brand introduces the largest washer capacity on the market - 5.2 cu. ft. Along with the industry first Eco Monitor, the new Cabrio® washer utilizes the H2Low(TM) wash system - a low water wash system that uses less water per load, yet delivers better cleaning performance and is more gentle than a traditional top-load washing machine.

Outstanding fabric care performance doesn't mean compromising energy and water savings. The ENERGY STAR® qualified Cabrio® pair exceeds current CEE Tier III specifications and is expected to meet 2011 Tier III requirements. The CEE tier system is based on the Consortium for Energy Efficiency qualified product listings. The Cabrio® HE washers with the H2Low wash system use 75 percent less water and 65 percent less energy, saving up to more than $900 in lifetime water and energy costs.*

Additionally, both the Cabrio® HE washer and dryer include an Eco Monitor that provides consumers with an instant rating - from good to best - describing how eco-friendly their cycle choices are based on cycle selection. The washer's EcoBoost(TM) option further enhances resource efficiency by adjusting water temperatures and mechanical energy to thoroughly clean in the most efficient way. The dryer also includes an Eco Normal Cycle, which uses less energy than a conventional dryer's normal cycle when paired with a Cabrio® washer.

 

Garage organization leader shows homeowners in any life phase how to take command of their clutter and shelter their belongings

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- As lifestyles change, so should your garage. At this year's International Builders' Show (IBS), Gladiator® GarageWorks will show consumers how to customize garage organization to fit lifestyle needs whether you are a first-time homeowner, part of a growing family or an empty nester.

At IBS, the Gladiator brand booth will feature three distinct garage set-ups that represent key phases in a typical consumer's life. The first-time homeowner section will help consumers tackle the basics with hooks, shelves and cabinets for everyday storage.

For more information, please visit www.GladiatorGW.com. or visit booth C3543 at the Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 19-22, 2010.

 

New Aide Solar Panels Blend High Performance with Aesthetics on New Construction Home Located Onsite at IBS in Las Vegas, January 19-22, 2010

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aide Solar (http://www.aidesolar.com), a large-scale producer of photovoltaic modules, today announced that its new 230 watt poly-crystalline black frame solar panels have debuted as an energy-efficient feature on the NextGen “Home for the Generations” at the International Builders Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, January 19-22, 2010. The 1,800 sq. foot home spotlighting friendly products and a greater focus on energy efficiency was built onsite at IBS as part of the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s "Builders’ Challenge.”

“Black frame panels offer an alternative to the typical aluminum frames used for most silicon photovoltaic panels, and give a more elegant appearance that blends beautifully with roof lines and tiles,” said Raymond C. Wiley, director, North America Sales, Aide Solar, U.S.A. “The NextGen Home experience is the perfect way to showcase our product as an energy-efficient option for builders seeking to provide energy-saving advantages to new home buyers. We’re proud that our panels are a part of such a worthwhile endeavor.”

 

Category leaders partner to offer a lift and slide door and motorized retractable screen combination that enhances both living spaces and views with unsurpassed performance, beauty, and comfort
2010 International Builders' Show

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phantom Screens®, North America’s leading provider of retractable screen solutions, announced today that Kolbe® has selected the Phantom Motorized Executive retractable screen, professionally installed by Phantom, as the motorized screen solution for its TerraSpan™ Lift and Slide doors.

Once installed by one of Phantom’s highly-skilled distributors, the Phantom Motorized Executive retractable screen seamlessly integrates with the Kolbe TerraSpan Lift and Slide door to provide customers the benefits of insect and solar protection without compromising the expansive views or easy transition between indoor and outdoor living. When not in use, the Executive screen is stored conveniently out-of-sight until needed.

TerraSpan doors can incorporate up to 10 panels per unit with a 12-foot maximum panel height. As each panel is 2.25-inches thick, they require minimum space when open — either nesting behind one another, or recessing into a pocket opening to disappear completely from view.

TerraSpan Lift and Slide doors are available in energy-efficient glass options. A broad palette of environmentally friendly finishes protect the exterior cladding, which includes recycled aluminum. A range of sustainably harvested wood species can be chosen for the interior trim.

The Phantom Motorized Executive retractable screen is designed for larger openings and can be mounted on the inside or outside of the door. One Executive screen product will cover a maximum opening of 25-feet wide by 16-feet high.

The Motorized Executive retractable screen offers the ultimate in solar shading and insect protection with convenience and luxury — blending form, function, and comfort.

The Executive can also help clients maximize energy savings, reducing the amount of air-conditioning needed to cool the building. The system can be programmed to come down and retract with sun and wind sensors, and can be connected to building automation systems to have the screens come down at a specific time of day when extra shade or insect protection is needed.

The new Kolbe TerraSpan Lift and Slide door featuring the Phantom Motorized Executive retractable screen will be on display in the Kolbe booth (# N2645) at the International Builders` Show.

 

Kwikset’s Key Control™ Deadbolt Eliminates Need for Master Keys Providing Superior Control, Security, and Cost-Savings to Property Managers

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kwikset®, an innovation leader in the residential door hardware industry, today introduced the Key Control™ Deadbolt featuring SmartKey® re-key technology, a smart and secure alternative to master keying. Kwikset Key Control deadbolts differ from traditional pin and tumbler master key deadbolts because they contain two cylinders: one concealed, patented cylinder that is a new and proprietary keyway for added security beyond current master key options, to be used by the property manager, allowing for one key control to all units; and a second cylinder to be used by the tenant, or individual user.

Kwikset’s new Key Control Deadbolts provide significant time and cost-savings to property managers over the traditional pin and tumbler master key system. With the pin and tumbler master key system, a lost or stolen master key creates a significant security risk for potentially hundreds of tenants, and the only solutions for property managers are time consuming and expensive. In this situation, a property manager has to either hire an outside contractor who charges a fee plus a cost per lock, or use an internal maintenance employee, who earns an hourly wage to undergo the time consuming process of removing every lock from every unit, disassembling, re-keying, reassembling, and then re-installing each one. Because this must be done as quickly as possible for tenant security, property managers can also expect to incur additional fees or charges for the extended hours required.

 

Comprehensive Georgia-Pacific Wood Products Portfolio Helps Builders Earn Points toward National Green Building Certification

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia-Pacific Wood Products, a leader in the building and construction industry, announced today that it has achieved "Green Approved" certification from the NAHB Research Center for 13 of its wood and engineered lumber products.

"Green Approved" certification means that the Georgia-Pacific products comply with specific green practice criteria in the National Green Building Standard(TM). Builders can earn points toward certification to the Standard by using Georgia-Pacific "Green Approved" products in accordance with both the approved practices described in the Standard and manufacturer installation instructions.

The following Georgia-Pacific wood products have been "Green Approved" by the NAHB Research Center: Plytanium® and DryPly® plywood; Blue Ribbon® oriented strand board (OSB); DryGuard® enhanced OSB; Nautilus® wall sheathing; Thermostat® radiant barrier sheathing; Wood I Beam(TM), XJ 85®, and Broadspan® joists; GP Lam® and Broadspan® laminated veneer lumber (LVL); and Fiberstrong® and Broadspan® rim board.

Georgia-Pacific Wood Products continues to demonstrate environmental commitment and industry leadership through the NAHB "Green Approved" certification, as well as the fiber procurement and chain-of-custody certifications they achieved through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®). Georgia-Pacific Wood Products will be exhibiting at the 2010 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 19-22 (booth C3265). For additional information, visit Georgia-Pacific Wood Products via www.builditbetter.com.

 

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is presenting a smart grid-compatible clothes dryer demonstration unit during the International Builders' Show (IBS) in Las Vegas January 19-22, 2010. The Whirlpool smart dryer demonstration illustrates how smart grid-compatible dryers will operate in consumers' homes, reacting intelligently to peak-demand signals from a smart electrical grid and automatically modifying energy consumption.

The smart dryer demonstration - shown by Whirlpool Corporation product experts, and accompanied by an interactive smart appliance simulation - offers a preview of the various smart grid-compatible appliances Whirlpool Corporation has pledged to manufacture in the near future.

Whirlpool Corporation's recent commitment to produce 1 million smart appliances by the end of 2011 is a significant step toward the company's larger commitment to make all the electronic appliances it produces, throughout the world, smart grid-compatible by the end of 2015. This timeline is dependent on the development by the end of 2010 of an open, global standard and appropriate policies to reward consumers, manufacturers and utilities. Helping to accelerate the work the company is doing, Whirlpool Corporation was recently awarded a $19.33 million federal matching grant by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Smart Grid Investment Grant program.

"We believe that the smart grid and smart appliances are the next big opportunity in energy savings," said Marc Bitzer, president, Whirlpool Corporation North America. "We are continuing to make significant strides in the development of smart grid-enabled appliances."

Smart appliances, connected to a smart electrical grid, will be able to send and receive signals to and from the utility and automatically modify energy consumption, helping consumers to save money on their home electric bills and reduce carbon emissions. "Smart grid technology provides a significant opportunity to make renewable energy sources such as wind and solar more usable," said Warwick Stirling, global director of energy and sustainability for Whirlpool Corporation. "These sources of energy are inherently more variable, but fit well with smart-grid technology which can more easily take advantage of this energy when it is available."

By connecting household appliances, homes and communities to a smart grid, smart appliances can easily and conveniently shift a portion of household energy use to "off peak" hours, drastically reducing peak energy consumption without compromising core product performance and while keeping control in the hands of consumers. In markets where utilities offer variable or time-of-use pricing, a typical consumer could save up to $40 per year, per appliance, while also benefiting the environment.

 

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia-Pacific Wood Products, a leader in the building and construction industry, announced today it has achieved certifications to the independent Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) chain-of-custody standard across its engineered lumber facilities and the SFI fiber sourcing certification for its engineered lumber, structural panels and softwood lumber products.

With more than 170 million acres certified across North America, the non-profit SFI sustainable forestry certification program is one of the largest in the world, with a standard based on principles and measures that promote sound forest management including measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk and forests with exceptional conservation value.

Through SFI chain-of-custody certification, the Georgia-Pacific engineered lumber facilities all have a tracking system in place to identify the amount of wood fiber originating from forests certified to SFI. Additionally, Georgia-Pacific engineered lumber, structural panels and softwood lumber product mills are all SFI fiber sourcing certified, which means that the raw material in the supply chain comes from legal and responsible sources.

 

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to sustainability, CertainTeed is "all in." At the 2010 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas, the company (Booth C2026) offers a sneak peek of seven new products that incorporate meaningful sustainable attributes with mainstream appeal. The two new products headlining the show include EnerGen(TM), a photovoltaic roofing panel for residential applications, and Sustainable Insulation(TM), a new fiberglass insulation product meeting the strictest California Indoor Air Quality Requirements that incorporates recycled materials, a bio-based organic binder, and a low impact manufacturing process.

A breakthrough in the roofing industry, the EnerGen system features integrated UNI-SOLAR® thin-film photovoltaic laminates that seamlessly integrate with traditional asphalt roofing shingles and provide utility savings for homeowners. The lightweight and flexible design requires no rooftop penetrations making the system easier for conventional roofing contractors to install while maintaining roof deck integrity. EnerGen offers consumers a seamless solution to their needs by providing roofing protection and aesthetic appeal while creating clean, renewable energy. At the show, EnerGen will be displayed alongside CertainTeed's Landmark Solaris(TM) solar reflective roofing shingles - a demonstration of how solar reflective and photovoltaic technologies work in tandem to create a high performance, visually appealing roof.

In the continued spirit of environmental responsibility, CertainTeed also introduces Sustainable Insulation. The offering includes fiberglass insulation with a new proprietary, organic binder that is comprised of rapidly renewable bio-based materials and contains no phenol formaldehyde, harsh acrylics or dyes. In conjunction with the new binder technology, the use of readily available renewable resources to manufacture the insulation adds to the product's sustainable appeal. In addition to sand -- an abundant natural resource -- CertainTeed fiberglass insulation consists of a recycled glass content of 35 percent. In the manufacturing process, CertainTeed has reduced its energy usage over the years, utilizes closed-loop water systems, and embraces a zero-waste commitment.

In addition to EnerGen and Sustainable Insulation, CertainTeed is showcasing five other new products at IBS.

 

CORONA, CALIFORNIA – January 15, 2010 – US Tile Announces the Addition of All-Weather, Lightweight ClayMax Clay Roofing Tile to its National Portfolio.

ClayMax combines the superior features and benefits only US Tile can offer, with modern low profile double-barrel tile aesthetics. ClayMax is the only Lightweight, All-Weather clay tile in the US, weighing 590 pounds per square, making ClayMax ideal for reroof projects. ClayMax is also well suited for use on commercial, home owners associations and institutional projects where weight, durability, and cost are key considerations.

ClayMax is designed and engineered for all weather climates include freeze-thaw conditions and snow loads. In addition, ClayMax is one of the most sustainable products on the market today. US Tile manufactures the only tile products in the world to receive the prestigious Cradle to Cradle certification for sustainability, and their products are available in Energy Star and CRRC Cool Roof rated colors. ClayMax is backed by the same limited lifetime warranty with fade and labor coverage all authentic US Tile Clay Roofing Products carry.

Visit www.ustile.com for more information on All-Weather ClayMax and the complete line of authentic, sustainable US Tile clay roofing products.

 

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Wood Flooring Association has announced that it is introducing a new Environmental Craftsmanship Award to recognize professionally installed wood floors that exhibit creative and responsible environmental stewardship in their methods of installation, raw material sourcing, and/or contributions to human well being in the indoor built environment. The contest is open to any professional wood flooring company and there is no entry fee.

Wood floors entered into the contest will be evaluated based on a number of environmental criteria. General environmental attributes include using reclaimed or recycled materials, renovating existing floors, and maximizing the yield from the raw materials used. Other criteria include U.S. Lacey Act documentation for imported wood species, which verifies that the wood used is logged legally, and United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) documentation for green building certification, which verifies environmentally responsible building practices. The contest also recognizes the NWFA's Responsible Procurement Program, which promotes environmentally and socially responsible forest management, as well as other environmental certification programs including GREENGUARD, the Sustainable Forest Initiative, Tree Farm, and the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification.

Judging will be conducted by the environmental design community, with the winner being announced during the NWFA's 2010 Convention in Washington, DC. The deadline for entries is February 19, 2010. For more information, or an entry form, visit www.nwfa.org, and click on the Convention & Expo link.

 

Eco-Friendly Wood-Alternative Lumber Offers Aesthetic Attributes of Wood While Solving the Problems of Degradation, Weathering and Perpetual Maintenance
2010 International Builders' Show

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LifeTime Lumber® (www.lifetimelumber.com), a low-maintenance, eco-friendly and fire-resistant deck, dock and fence material launches next week at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) 2010, January 19-22 in Las Vegas. LifeTime Lumber is a unique, wood-alternative lumber made from inert material recovered from the electric power generation industry. Ideal for building decks, docks and fences, LifeTime Lumber offers the aesthetic attributes of wood, while solving the problems of maintenance, degradation, and weathering.

“LifeTime Lumber is a highly versatile material with working properties similar to those of wood, and can be sawed, as well as screwed and nailed together with regular wood working tools”

What is LifeTime Lumber

Containing no wood, plastic or PVC, LifeTime Lumber is something completely new for the building industry – thermoset polymers combined with recycled mineral filler. A breakthrough in materials science, LifeTime Lumber is made from a patented mixture of fly ash, a non-hazardous inert material recovered from the electric power generation industry, and polyurethane.

The resulting wood-alternative lumber for decking, docks and fences contains no wood unlike many of the wood plastic composites lumbers, and therefore it will not rot, be affected by termites, support mold and mildew, absorb water or significantly expand or contract. Because of these features LifeTime Lumber is a win-win for builders and homeowners looking for the unique properties of fire and mold-resistance as well as a material that is impervious to termites and dry rot, all combined in an easy-to-use, color-fast, green building material product.

At IBS 2010 visit LifeTime Lumber at their demonstration deck on the "Highlander" home at IBS Show Village. Or learn more about them at their Show Village sponsorship page, http://pbshowvillage.com/sponsors/life-time.php.

 

Smart Control System Reduces Energy Consumption up to 10%

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it has developed a new multi-elevator smart-control technology that can reduce energy consumption by up to 10% compared to current elevator systems, enabling building owners to cut energy costs without sacrificing passenger convenience. Mitsubishi Electric will incorporate the technology in its elevator systems starting this April, beginning with limited models and then gradually extending to other models in the company’s lineup.

In line with increasing concerns about global warming, the operators of tall buildings and large facilities have shown strong interest in elevator systems that can help reduce energy consumption. Currently, however, most multi-elevator control systems require a trade-off between passenger convenience and energy saving, because they focus mainly on the reduction of passenger waiting time, which can lead to increased energy consumption.

With Mitsubishi Electric’s new smart control technology, however, when someone pushes an elevator button, the system selects the elevator that best balances operational efficiency and energy consumption. Selection is based on each elevator’s potential energy consumption according to its current location and passenger load.

The system also predicts congestion levels throughout the day to maximize operational efficiency and minimize energy consumption. For example, it prioritizes operational efficiency during peak usage in morning and evening rush hours and at lunchtime, but then prioritizes energy efficiency during non-peak hours. In the latter case, the average wait time in a common office building is no more than 1 to 1.6 seconds longer than the current average wait of 20 seconds, so passenger convenience is hardly affected.

Energy-efficiency parameters can be selected manually, and elevators also can be set to proceed non-stop to the lobby floor to accommodate large crowds during special events.

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- In addition to the latest appliances from Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Maytag, Whirlpool, Amana and Gladiator brands during the 2010 International Builders' Show®(IBS), Whirlpool Corporation is offering builders an overview on how the company is working better together with builders to help them build their businesses. Attendees of the show can tour The Inside Advantage(TM) section of the booth, an exhibit dedicated to new ways Whirlpool Corporation is investing in the building community.

"The past couple of years in the building industry have been challenging, to say the least," said Tracy Frye, senior contract marketing manager at Whirlpool Corporation. "We've positioned ourselves to meet the challenges of today's marketplace, refocusing our people and processes around our trade customers.

We've also invested in a complete continuum of support, resources and services to make it easier and more beneficial to do business with us."

The exhibit begins with a hands-on demonstration of The Inside Advantage(TM), which is designed to meet the needs of Whirlpool Corporation's trade customers and other building and design professionals. More than a program, The Inside Advantage(TM) is defined by four pillars, which are demonstrated throughout the exhibit:

- Powerful Brands - learn more about items of interest within each specific established brand;
- Innovative Products - view unique products that entice homeowners and make it easy to specify, use and install Whirlpool Corporation appliances;
- Market Insight - examples of how Whirlpool Corporation keeps its eye on housing trends and develops innovations and products to anticipate market demand, including products that meet universal design, open floor plan, sustainable, multi-cultural and generational customers and other needs;
- Targeted Services - special services that enable building professionals to best serve their customers, including the Quality Express Delivery Service and Finishing Touches(TM) Program, to name a few. As part of the exhibit, attendees can also learn more about the Green Touch(TM) Program, which makes it easier to design, build and market sustainable homes. The program provides builders with a variety of practical solutions to help make a sustainable difference, such as sustainable products, design tools and marketing assistance.

"Our Green Touch(TM) Program is a perfect example of how we're helping builders meet today's new challenges," said Frye. "We consult with our builder customers to provide them with appliance packages that meet the requirements of today's sustainable homes, while also fitting homebuyers' lifestyle needs, including kitchens, laundry rooms, HVAC products and beyond. Additionally, we provide our builder customers with access to an exclusive portal, which is our ready resource for the latest information pertaining to sustainability. "The Whirlpool Corporation exhibit can be found during IBS at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth #C3543, January 19-22, 2010.

 

Novel System to ‘Spray’ Solar Cells onto New Energy’s SolarWindow™ Replaces Slow, Expensive Methods with High-Speed, Cost-Saving Process; Previous Breakthrough Replaces ‘Visibility-Blocking’ Metal with See-Thru, Environmentally-Friendly Compounds.

BURTONSVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: NENE), developer of MotionPower™ technologies for generating sustainable electricity from the kinetic energy of moving vehicles and SolarWindow™ technologies capable of generating electricity on see-thru glass windows, today announced that researchers have developed a novel, patent-pending process for ‘spraying’ solar cells and their related components onto glass – a technical achievement recently presented in AZoNano’s (peer-reviewed, Journal of Nanotechnology Online; Dec. 20, 2009), “Nanotechnology Thought Leaders” series.

“The ability to spray solar coatings directly onto glass follows on the heels of our recent breakthrough which replaced visibility-blocking metal with environmentally-friendly see-thru compounds, and marks an important advance in the development of our see-thru glass windows capable of generating electricity,” announced Mr. Meetesh V. Patel, President and CEO of New Energy Technologies, Inc.

Once scaled-up for use in commercial-scale production, researchers anticipate the ability to spray solar coatings directly onto New Energy’s first-of-its-kind see-thru SolarWindow™, currently under development, could provide significant commercial production advantages over today’s thin-films. Conventional solar films are typically manufactured using expensive and slow manufacturing methods which rely on high-temperature and finicky ‘vacuum deposition’ processes for depositing solar materials onto substrates; the resultant products are simply too thick to allow for transparency, an important consideration in the development of a commercially viable solar-powered glass window.

Last week, New Energy announced that researchers successfully overcame one of the biggest transparency-related obstacles faced by scientists developing New Energy’s SolarWindow™ technology --- the presence of metal, an opaque material which blocks visibility and prevents light from passing through glass. Eliminating metal has proved especially challenging since the metal component acts as the negative ‘polar contact’ – an important function in collecting the electricity generated from solar cells on the surface of the glass.

Last week’s breakthrough replaces this ‘visibility-blocking’ metal with environmentally-friendly and more transparent compounds. These compounds now function as the negative polar contact and collect electricity from New Energy’s SolarWindow™.

The production of solar-generated electricity on glass is made possible by the world’s tiniest working solar cells, which along with their related components, have now been successfully sprayed on to glass surfaces by researchers currently developing the Company’s SolarWindow™.

These ultra-small solar cells measure less than 1/4 the size of a grain of rice, are fabricated using environmentally-friendly materials, and successfully produce electricity, as demonstrated in a published peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy of the American Institute of Physics.

Unique performance properties of New Energy’s ultra-small solar cells enable development of an ultra-thin film, only 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair, or 1/10th of a micrometer. In contrast, conventional thin films are exponentially thicker, measuring several micrometers thick and inhibiting transparency. In photovoltaic applications such as see-thru windows, where transparency is a primary concern, today’s thin film solar cells simply cannot be utilized to produce a transparent solar window for application in homes, offices, and commercial buildings.

 

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PlasmaTech, Inc. (Pink Sheets:PMAH), a wireless technology innovator providing solutions to the $120 billion global security market, announced it has released its first consumer keyless door lock for the retail marketplace.

The easy-to-install 2400CL (Consumer Lock) fits most existing doors, allowing users keyless secured access to their home or office. With the simple touch of a wireless key fob, the 2400CL automatically unlocks a motorized door hardware allowing access. The 2400CL kit comes complete with all hardware required, including a class one door lock available in silver, brass and gold, 3 key fobs, and easy-to-follow instructions. The 2400CL will have a suggested retail price of $399 for brushed aluminum, with brass and gold available at an additional charge. Consumers will be able to purchase additional fobs for $19.99, and the 2400CL will accommodate up to 10 fobs in total.

The company has already received initial orders for its 2400CL and expects to be able to ship in quantity in approximately 90 days.

View the 2400CL in action at http://www.plasmatechwireless.com/products.html.

 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Sustainable Minds, a greener product design software and information company, today announced a partnership with the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA), the leading organization representing product, interaction, experience and service design, to advance the adoption and integration of ecodesign and sustainability practices in product design. The partnership will bring together software and information to educate, inspire, and ensure that product development organizations have the knowledge, tools, and value systems in place to support greener product design practices.

"It's the optimal partnership to catalyze meaningful change," stated Terry Swack, CEO and co-founder of Sustainable Minds. "Our mission is to bring environmental sustainability to mainstream product development and manufacturing in an accessible, empowering, and credible way. Designers have the opportunity and responsibility to change organizations and culture through the products we value and use. Our partnership with IDSA allows us to deliver our ecodesign and life cycle assessment software directly to this community, enabling them to develop new knowledge, skills, and competencies to integrate environmental sustainability into their standard product design processes. We are excited about our partnership with IDSA, and will be offering training and discounted subscriptions to all types of IDSA members -- professionals, educators and students -- to help make this happen."

"At IDSA, our goal is to help prepare our members for the challenges that lie ahead, especially in the area of sustainability and ecodesign," stated Clive Roux, executive director of IDSA. "We are excited to now have a more effective tool in place to help designers plan for sustainability and environmental impact assessment. Together, with Sustainable Minds, we can work to advance the understanding and practice of whole systems and life cycle thinking in product design processes. We look forward to working with Sustainable Minds to help us deliver greener product design education to our membership."

 

Industry Experts Agree: Kwikset’s SmartCode with Home Connect is one of the Best Products of 2009
2010 International CES

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kwikset®, an innovation leader in the residential door hardware industry, today proudly announced and celebrated multiple prestigious award wins for the revolutionary SmartCode™ with Home Connect™ at CES 2010 in Las Vegas. Introduced to market in Oct. 2009, the SmartCode with Home Connect has won the following industry awards and recognitions in the last three months alone:

- CE Pro BEST Award – BEST Integrated Security System/Module/Device
- Electronic House TOPS Award – Access Control: Videophones, Door Locks and Gates
- Custom Retailer Excite! Award
- Handy Innovation Award – Honorable Mention
- The Last Gadget Standing Semifinalist – Online voting still in progress at http://lastgadgetstanding.com/ballot-box/

“We knew when we were developing the SmartCode with Home Connect that it would revolutionize the way we think about door hardware,” said Dave Albert, vice president of Residential Access Solutions, Security Hardware Division, Black & Decker. “We’re extremely proud and humbled to see it so quickly being honored as the best product available in its category by the leading industry experts and integrators.”

Homeowners using SmartCode with Home Connect, whether the deadbolt, or the yet-to-be released lever product – currently being previewed to the public for the first time at CES – can use a Web-enabled cell phone, the Internet, or home automation/security touch panel to check their door lock status, automatically arm and disarm their security system, and receive text notification when someone has entered. This is the only remotely accessible lock on the market that has true, one touch locking for added convenience. Homeowners can select to have their doors automatically lock after 30 seconds for the ultimate in convenience and peace of mind, without fear of being locked out. Finally, both products have the ability to speak wirelessly with other home electronics, such as lighting, the thermostat and music/entertainment system(s).

“The motorized deadbolt makes remote locking and unlocking possible on the SmartCode Deadbolt with Home Connect,” continued Albert. “It’s also what differentiates it from other so-called ‘remote’ controlled locks that still require a person to physically stand on the porch in order to lock or unlock the door. In our opinion, it can’t really be called ‘remote access’ if you still need physical interaction with the deadbolt.”

 

Powered by Marvell Wi-Fi Technologies and Processors and chumby Software, New Green Wireless Home Energy Management and Control Products Provide Consumers with Solutions to Save Energy

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- CES -- Golden Power Manufacturing through its affiliated company Radio Thermostat Company of America (RTCA), today announced it has jointly developed a new home automation platform with Marvell (NASDAQ:MRVL) and chumby industries to power a series of new energy efficient solutions for the emerging smart home market at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The home automation platform, based on the RTCA Smart Thermostat, will power a new Irrigation Timer and Load Shed Devices that will also be unveiled at the show. To increase the smart home's flexibility the RTCA Smart Thermostat line can also link with chumbys and chumby-powered devices that also use the Marvell Platform. These new efficient home solutions, with Smart Grid features and remote control access to personal information and resources, enable management of electricity in the home reliably and securely to save consumers valuable energy and money throughout the year.

Powered by Marvell® ultra low power Wi-Fi technologies, processors and networking technologies, the new affordable RTCA energy efficient solutions include a Wi-Fi thermostat, Wi-Fi sprinkler system, and wireless lighting control.

Marvell's highly scalable, intelligent processors enable development of devices to connect consumers with access to live digital content and information - anywhere, anytime and any size.

RTCA's home automation platform is designed for home owners, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and professional installers. The wide-ranging home automation platform features multiple radios including Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, RDS, and Flexnet allowing it to communicate with the wide variety of connected devices in homes such as pool pumps, irrigation systems, intelligent connected displays, and other connected smart appliances.

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation recently announced that Sue Reed, senior account manager Florida Contract Sales, and Mark Peterson, senior account manager Southern States Contract Sales, have earned Certified Green Professional (CGP) designations from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The CGP distinction recognizes Reed and Peterson as building industry professionals with knowledge of the best strategies for incorporating green building principles into home building.

As an almost 24-year member of the Whirlpool Corporation team, Reed plays an integral role in a number of building groups. Her recent accomplishment positions Reed to speak on various environmentally friendly building elements, including waste management, materials, construction and sustainable practices. In addition to her recent CGP certification, Reed has received a Green Advantage Certification.

Peterson, a 23-year member of Whirlpool Corporation's team, is well versed on building sustainably without driving up the cost of construction. As a CGP-certified professional, he helps promote the importance of increased indoor air quality and energy and resource efficiency.

"Whirlpool Corporation congratulates Reed and Peterson on their recent accomplishments," said Tracy Frye, senior contract marketing manager at Whirlpool Corporation. "The CGP certification is not an easy task and we commend them for their dedication to better serving our company, its trade customers and the building industry. With these credentials, we can further educate our customers about sustainable building practices, while reducing the building industry's carbon footprint."

The CGP curriculum incorporates training by leading building industry practitioners on a range of topics, including strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective methods of construction, and how green homes provide homeowners with lower maintenance and good indoor air quality. Reed is required to maintain the designation by completing 12 hours of continuing education every three years, a portion of which pertains to green building activities.

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (Jan. 7, 2010) – Whirlpool Corporation recently announced that Sue Reed, senior account manager Florida Contract Sales, and Mark Peterson, senior account manager Southern States Contract Sales, have earned Certified Green Professional (CGP) designations from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The CGP distinction recognizes Reed and Peterson as building industry professionals with knowledge of the best strategies for incorporating green building principles into home building.

As an almost 24-year member of the Whirlpool Corporation team, Reed plays an integral role in a number of building groups. Her recent accomplishment positions Reed to speak on various environmentally friendly building elements, including waste management, materials, construction and sustainable practices. In addition to her recent CGP certification, Reed has received a Green Advantage Certification.

Peterson, a 23-year member of Whirlpool Corporation’s team, is well versed on building sustainably without driving up the cost of construction. As a CGP-certified professional, he helps promote the importance of increased indoor air quality and energy and resource efficiency.

“Whirlpool Corporation congratulates Reed and Peterson on their recent accomplishments,” said Tracy Frye, senior contract marketing manager at Whirlpool Corporation. “The CGP certification is not an easy task and we commend them for their dedication to better serving our company, its trade customers and the building industry. With these credentials, we can further educate our customers about sustainable building practices, while reducing the building industry’s carbon footprint.”

The CGP curriculum incorporates training by leading building industry practitioners on a range of topics, including strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective methods of construction, and how green homes provide homeowners with lower maintenance and good indoor air quality. Reed is required to maintain the designation by completing 12 hours of continuing education every three years, a portion of which pertains to green building activities.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The company’s The Inside Advantage(TM) Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Market Insight to support building professionals.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2008, 70,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-952-2537.

 

POMPANO BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cyclone Power Technologies Inc. (Pink Sheets: CYPW) has released new video demonstrating the economic and environment benefits of utilizing its heat-regenerative, external combustion engines to power waste energy recovery applications.

Cyclone’s Waste Heat Engine (WHE) is designed to power a grid-tied or stand-alone waste energy recovery system capable of generating between 1kW and 1MW of electricity. The patented piston-based engine captures 600F to 2000F of excess wasted heat from sources such as engine exhaust, commercial ovens, industrial furnaces and landfill flares. The Company is currently completing extensive testing of the WHE and expects to place smaller units into production later this year.

“We believe that our WHE systems can fill an enormous gap in the waste energy recovery industry – namely small and medium sized businesses with low to medium quality excess wasted heat,” stated Cyclone’s CEO, Harry Schoell. “We believe that our WHE units are the only truly viable options for facilities as small as restaurants, to medium-sized industrial furnaces, foundries and gas flares.” According to industry studies, such facilities comprise 20% or more of the nation’s total waste heat resources.

The Company’s WHE systems produce electricity from heat (thermal energy) that is otherwise lost into the atmosphere through tail pipes, smoke stacks, exhaust flues and flares. According to the US Clean Heat and Power Association, combined heat and power (CHP) and waste heat recovery processes like these currently:

* Save business owners over $5 billion/year in energy costs;
* Reduce emissions of NOx by 400,000 tons/year and SO2 by 900,000 tons/year; and
* Prevent the release of 35 million tons of CO2 equivalent into the atmosphere.

Cyclone believes that the installation of its WHE systems can also drive investment and create jobs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if the U.S. were to increase its use of CHP and waste heat recovery systems to generate 20% of its electricity by 2030, it would spur $234 billion in private investment and create 1 million jobs.

 

Products Will Extend Autodesk’s Visualization Solutions for Civil Engineering and Architecture Projects

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) announced that it has completed the acquisition of Dynamite VSP and Dynamite SIM visualization software products and related assets. The products were purchased from 3AM Solutions, a UK-based privately owned technology company that develops visualization software for civil infrastructure. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Dynamite VSP and Dynamite SIM technology will help Autodesk automate the process of creating visualizations for projects made with AutoCAD Civil 3D software. Dynamite VSP offers simple and efficient ways to bring AutoCAD Civil 3D software data into Autodesk 3ds Max Design software.

“We believe that every design has a story to tell. This acquisition will greatly simplify the process of visualizing complex AutoCAD Civil 3D projects with 3ds Max Design,” explained Jay Bhatt, Autodesk senior vice president, Architecture, Engineering and Construction. “It will help civil engineers tell their story in the most compelling way possible — validating their designs in context and showcasing projects for public consultation and approval.”

“With Autodesk’s research and development investment capabilities, this acquisition is expected to benefit our existing users as our technology is taken to the next level,” said Bruce Harfield, director of 3AM Solutions. “We look forward to working with Autodesk to further integrate the technology into the company’s existing software and advance Autodesk’s visualization offerings for civil engineers.”

“This acquisition will help empower users to more rapidly produce high-quality visualizations of civil engineering projects — even those without detailed knowledge of 3ds Max Design,” added Bhatt.

Product Integration
Autodesk intends to integrate core technology from the Dynamite VSP and Dynamite SIM products into 3ds Max Design and other existing Autodesk architecture, civil engineering and visual communication applications.

 

MIDDLEFIELD, OHIO —10 December 2009— First Lady Frances Strickland and Chris Korleski, director of the Ohio EPA, today presented the Ohio Award for Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Stewardship to six organizations including Masco Retail Cabinet Group, the manufacturer of KraftMaid Cabinetry.

Receiving the award for KraftMaid Cabinetry was Chris Winans, Vice President of Operations at Masco Retail Cabinet Group. “We’re honored and grateful to be recognized for our efforts in environmental responsibility and sustainability,” he said.

“From our start as a small cabinetry shop and through every aspect of our business, taking personal responsibility for the environment is central to our culture. This award validates our sustainable practices to our customers and neighbors.”

All KraftMaid Cabinetry plants operate under an environmental management system certified to ISO-14001:2004. The company also:

• has earned certification under the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) administered by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer’s Association (KCMA) for manufacturers who meet a stringent set of environmental criteria
• meets or exceed the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) cabinetry requirements for inclusion in the Environments for Living® Certified Green program
• is a downstream licensed facility of the Composite Panel Association (CPA) Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) program, procuring at least 95% EPP Certified particle board and using MDF which contains 100% recovered or recycled wood fibers
• continually monitors environmental impact through a strong focus on the three R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle
• supports local communities and neighborhoods around the country through product donation and involvement with various charities and institutions including Habitat for Humanity and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Also this year, KraftMaid Cabinetry was ranked highest overall among cabinet manufacturers in satisfying customers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Cabinet Satisfaction StudySM.

Winners of the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Stewardship were selected based on a sound track record of environmental compliance and a commitment to go above and beyond regulations to improve environmental performance; a mature environmental management system (EMS) or integration of the EMS principles into core business functions; aggressive environmental performance goals, and a process for communicating with the local community about program activities and progress on performance goals.
For more than 40 years, KraftMaid Cabinetry has been one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of semi-custom cabinetry. Today, KraftMaid continues to lead the industry in innovation and design with an extensive product selection featuring more than 100 trend-on door styles and over 45 furniture-quality finishes. In 1990, KraftMaid was purchased by Masco Corporation of Taylor, Michigan, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of brand-name consumer products for the home and family. KraftMaid® is the anchor brand of the Masco Retail Cabinet Group.

 

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clear-Lite Holdings, Inc. (“ClearLite”) (OTCBB: CLRH), a leading innovator of eco-friendly lighting and the appreciably safer ArmorLite™ CFL, today announced the launch of its new and improved corporate website, www.clearlite.com, designed to be more streamlined and user-friendly.

The new corporate website includes new videos and additional information on ClearLite's complete line of lighting products, including the latest details on its green-tech innovation, ArmorLite: A Safer CFL™, which is available on Amazon.com and for commercial customers at Creative Lighting LLC., please email inquiries to sales@creativelightingllc.com. The website also provides a comprehensive investor relations platform to streamline communication with shareholders and the investment community.
“We believe that our new website provides users an efficient means of accessing our information; enabling us to better inform them about our innovative earth-friendly product lines," said President and CEO Thomas Irvine of ClearLite. "The new site is part of a larger effort to offer our customers, vendors and shareholders the most up-to-date information on our Company, the industry and our products as well as express the importance of making the planet, our family, home, and business a safer and better place using A Safer CFL."

ClearLite constantly embraces innovation; its cutting-edge products help reduce energy use, provide a more natural light and now A Safer CFL. Unlike the commonly found spiral design CFLs, the patent-pending ArmorLite looks like an incandescent bulb. It is in fact a compact fluorescent light bulb hidden inside a glass-shaped safety-coated cover; it is similar in design to the incandescent light bulb that seems to be preferred by most consumers. ClearLite offers a wide range of green lighting solutions for both retail and commercial clients. It has focused on earth-friendly, energy-saving “natural” lighting and now A Safer CFL, the patent-pending ArmorLite SAFETY ECO CFL.

 

New technology simplifies key control, enabling locks and deadbolts to be rekeyed in two easy steps with no extra tools and without being removed from the door

2010 International Builders' Show, Booth C3142, Central Hall

CARMEL, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jobsites will now be more secure and home builders will be able to quickly change keys at any time during construction with the new line of SecureKey™ bump- and pick-resistant residential door locks Schlage is introducing at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, January 19-22.

Unlike traditional pin-and-tumbler locks, which must be removed from the door and disassembled for rekeying, SecureKey locks and deadbolts employ a new high-security design that enables them to be rekeyed in seconds—without removal from the door and without compromising security. Security is actually enhanced through the use of a pick-resistant Grade 1* cylinder and a special locking sidebar that protects against lock bumping. The SecureKey design provides well over 100,000 possible key combinations, making it 10 times more secure from key duplication than other rekeyable systems on the market.

Rekeying: A Simple Two-Step Process

Rekeying Schlage SecureKey deadbolts and locks is a simple two-step procedure that does not require any extra tools. Simply insert the blue Reset Key included with every SecureKey lock, turn it to the 11:00 position and remove the key. Then insert a new blue Reset Key that matches the new keys for the lock, turn it back to the 12:00 position and you’re done. The lock is now rekeyed to the new key.

A plus sign on the face of the lock cylinder makes it easy to identify SecureKey products, which can be keyed to other Schlage C keyway 5-pin products, making it easy to manage keys with staff and sub-contractors. Other SecureKey benefits include:

* The lock cannot be forced into rekey mode with a generic tool or foreign object because the unique blue Reset Key must be inserted to rekey the lock.
* The lock is secure even when the lock is in its rekey position, which is not the case with other rekeyable locks on the market.
* Once the lock is in its rekey position, builders can give any set of keys to the homeowner, making it easy to manage keys for each home.

SecureKey locks cost the same as Schlage’s conventional locks and will be available in all styles of residential deadbolts and door locks, including handlesets. Demonstrations will be ongoing during IBS at Schlage’s booth (C3142) in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

 

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Architectural Building Components, the premier manufacturer of innovative metal roofing solutions like the 238T roof system and Archzilla™ jobsite manufacturing truck used in low-/steep-slope and complex roofing applications, today announced the launch of their new Web site (www.archmetalroof.com) aimed at providing updated product information and enhancing customer relationships.

The new site boasts an expanded and constantly-updated product gallery with new information, photos and informational videos. It also hosts enhanced search functionality geared to help visitors quickly locate metal roofing and siding information.

"This new Web site allows us the opportunity to increase our customer reach and enhance our communication with them,” said Charlie Smith, president of Architectural Building Components. “We’re always striving to stay on the cutting edge of industry leadership and that means providing prospects and customers with a great educational source for metal roofing and siding solutions.”

The Web site now also includes specification information for architects and general contractors to easily identify standing-seam panel roof products, allowing them to expedite roofing needs for their projects more quickly.

Architectural Building Components plans to continue Web site enhancements for improved information flow to customers and to better serve industry demand for metal roof and siding expertise.

 

ALLENTOWN, Pa., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- fiberAmerica, an innovative manufacturer of consistent, high quality and environmentally-friendly cellulose fiber insulation products, today announced the launch of its 'Green Seal' cellulose fiber insulation product line. This environmentally-friendly family of insulation products provides homeowners with a cost-effective, healthier and more energy-efficient option than fiberglass products.

"With proper insulation, homeowners can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs, which will be critical as utility rates are expected to increase dramatically in 2010 across the country. Green Seal can help homeowners save money, while also keeping the impact to the environment at a minimum," said David A. Johnson, president for fiberAmerica. "The fact that our initial group of customers is already placing repeat orders is validation that Green Seal is meeting the market needs for a high-quality, environmentally-friendly insulation product."

Tested and certified by R&D Services as well as in fiberAmerica's on-site laboratory, the Green Seal product line uses high quality recycled paper and environmentally-friendly fire-retardant materials in its manufacturing process. Green Seal's excellent insulating properties help reduce energy consumption and provide superior acoustical insulation assets compared to fiberglass insulation. Additionally, cellulose insulation is safe and non-toxic to installers and building inhabitants - promoting a healthier environment.

fiberAmerica will be announcing additional products in the near future, all manufactured in its new technically-advanced production facility conveniently located for installers throughout the eastern United States.

 

CINCINNATI, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As an industry leader in industrial and commercial mezzanine flooring for warehouses, Cornerstone Specialty Wood Products, LLC is committed to high-performance floors.

"Proper installation is a big part of a solid mezzanine flooring, and so are budgets today. That is why we have introduced a new collated screw system for our ResinDek mezzanine flooring," said Greg Doppler, President of Cornerstone Specialty Wood Products. "If we can make an installation go easier and cost less while keeping ResinDek floors performing and looking good, then we are focused upon our customers' needs," continued Greg Doppler.

The new installation method includes industrial collated floor color matched screws specifically designed for ResinDek, and a stand-up screw gun with consistent screw depth control settings. This new installation method is projected to save up to 40% in installation costs when used with ResinDek mezzanine flooring panels.

 

DUBLIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NEW HOME GREEN MATERIALS AND LEARNING CENTER, the first sizable superstore chain of green building materials with a wholesale distribution, will launch its highly anticipated “Social Marketplace” website feature on February 1, 2010.

The new platform, developed exclusively by NEW HOME, is the first real digital hub to offer free green building advertising, classifieds, social linkage and networking, a vast library of educational documents, videos, and professional certification opportunities for contractors all over the US. In addition the site will include streaming webinars, instructional videos, teleconferencing and portals to key regulatory agencies.

“It is the first online platform directly linking green manufacturers, education providers and regulatory agencies with consumers, contractors and professionals. Consumers can put a project out for bid, professionals can advertise services on our classified ad network, get a project team together and live chat with other professionals plus find out what’s the latest on government rebates, incentives and regulations,” explained Rich Rifkin, NEW HOME CEO and Founder.

“Already in production for five months, we are populating initial content for the new website features through January and launch the platform to the public February 1, 2010. By late March our products will be made available via the web – about 200,000 green building materials meta-rated and easy to source,” Rifkin added.

Set to launch on February 1, the free services will include:
* Manufacturer Product Training
* Classifieds for Consumers and Professionals
* Professional Certification (LEED AP, GPR, etc)
* Blogs, News, RSS Feeds
* User Uploaded Documents and Videos
* Post and Watch Live Streaming Seminars From Around the World
* Webinars (Attend or create your own)
* Building Permit and Application (Chat online with local building officials)
* Laws, Ordinances, Regulations and Incentives
* Social Networking Opportunities

 

Competitively Priced LED Series Features High Luminous Intensity and High Reliability Performance

SAN JOSE, Calif. & SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avago Technologies (Nasdaq: AVGO), a leading supplier of analog interface components for communications, industrial and consumer applications, today announced a new series of 5mm green and blue high brightness, high performance Through-hole LEDs for use in Electronic Sign and Signal applications. Avago’s competitively priced HLMP-Cxxx Through-hole round LED lamp series provide high reliability performance and high luminous intensity in electronic signs to help improve the contrast ratio and readability in sunlight. These new LEDs are also ideal for use in Traffic Signs, Variable Message Signs, and Monocolor Signs.

Each of the HLMP-Cxxx series LEDs are made with an advanced optical grade epoxy offering superior high temperature and high moisture resistance. Moreover, the package epoxy has high Ultra-violet resistivity which can reduce the effects of long term exposure to direct sunlight.

Features
* High luminous intensity
* Well defined spatial radiation pattern
* Available in green and blue colors
* Pb-Free and RoHS compliant

 

Researchers replace ‘visibility-blocking’ metal with transparent, environmentally-friendly compounds which collect electricity generated on the Company’s SolarWindow™, currently under development.

BURTONSVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: NENE), currently developing MotionPower™ technologies for generating electricity from the kinetic energy of moving vehicles and SolarWindow™ technologies capable of generating electricity on glass windows, today announced that researchers have overcome a significant scientific hurdle in creating the first-of-its-kind see-thru solar glass by replacing a visibility-blocking solid metal component with environmentally-friendly, non-metallic, transparent compounds.

To-date, one of the biggest obstacles faced by researchers developing New Energy’s SolarWindow™ technology has been the presence of metal, an opaque material which blocks all visibility and prevents light from passing through glass. Eliminating metal has proved especially challenging since the metal component acts as the negative ‘polar contact’ – an important function in collecting the electricity generated from solar cells on the surface of the glass.

Today’s breakthrough replaces this visibility-blocking metal with environmentally-friendly and more transparent compounds. These compounds now function as the negative polar contact and collect electricity from New Energy’s SolarWindow™.

The production of solar-generated electricity on glass is made possible by the world’s tiniest working solar cells, which have been successfully applied on to glass surfaces by researchers currently developing the Company’s transparent SolarWindow™ technology.

These ultra-small solar cells measure less than ¼ the size of a grain of rice, are fabricated using environmentally-friendly materials, and successfully produce electricity, as demonstrated in a published peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy of the American Institute of Physics.

 

New Name Helps to Reflect the Corporations Global Strength

Anaheim, CA – December 29, 2009 – ParexLahabra, Inc. the parent company of leading building material brands; Parex, LaHabra, El Rey Stucco, Teifs and Merkrete today announced it would change its name to Parex USA, Inc. effective January 1, 2010.

"ParexLahabra is a leader in each of the three product families we focus on,” said Rodrigo Lacerda, President and CEO of Parex USA, Inc. “The name change to Parex USA reflects our global strength as a subsidiary of the ParexGroup, one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals and ready-to-use mortars for the construction industry. We are confident that customers will see that they can rely on the stability of a large corporation while enjoying the service and relationship of a local company they can trust. This is the heart and soul of Parex USA!"

With over 175 years of combined industry experience, Parex USA boasts a rich history built on hard work, knowledge, commitment and loyalty.

Today, Parex USA is one of North America's most respected suppliers of building materials. Their dynamic offering of leading brands have been created to support the building industry with exceptional product development and the highest standard of service in the industry, Parex USA is committed to exceeding customer expectations and the demands of an ever changing industry.
Parex USA's global network provides unlimited access to innovation and industry trends around the world. They are driven by three distinct business groups:

• EIFS
• Stucco Solutions
• Tile & Stone Installation Systems

As Parex USA moves into the future their focus will be on state-of-the-art technology, innovation and unsurpassed customer service.

About Parex USA, Inc.
Parex USA, Inc. is a subsidiary of the ParexGroup one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals and ready-to-use mortars for the construction industry. With over 45 manufacturing sites in 18 countries the ParexGroup employs more than 2,700 industry professionals who are the corner stone of this thriving global organization. The brands of Parex USA are Parex, Teifs, LaHabra, El Rey Stucco and Merkrete. For more information regarding Parex USA, Inc. visit www.parexusa.com.

 

Flexibility in Beam Spreads, Color Temperatures and Fixtures Now Available for Energy-Saving Units

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--enLux™ Lighting’s low-energy using, cool, R30 Series LED (light emitting diode) PAR lamp is now available with a gimbal ring, mini-swivel or gooseneck track lighting fixture. Either option can be readily used indoor or outdoor to illuminate areas requiring long-term lighting without the excessive heat and high energy cost of other lighting products. Fast and easy to install, the R30 track lighting units do not require an additional transformer unit or power supply.

According to the company, the R30 PAR LED light can save more than 85 percent in energy use compared to incandescent lighting. It exceeds industry lighting performance standards while using just 14 watts of power, and has a 50,000 hour life.

“We introduced the new concept of integrating the enLux R30 with the off-the-shelf track fixture to provide the lighting designer with a premium product that frees-up creativity,” stated DJ Chou, director of engineering for enLux Lighting. “The units are sleek and stylish, plus the R30 LED lamp is available to provide a 40, 80 or 160 degree beam spread, and color temperatures in a warm 2700°K, neutral 3500°K or a cool 4500°K, and with either a black or white fin.”

Custom color temperature (CCT) and fin colors are available. The enLux R30 Series lamp is compatible with any dimmer on the market today.

enLux R30 LED PAR lamp was the world’s first LED drop-in replacement for incandescent and halogen flood lights in 2004 and was Popular Science® magazine’s ‘Best Of What’s New’ Grand Award winner in the Home Tech Category for that year. The R30 Series is UL listed, CE certified and Energy Star compliant.

enLux LED products are environmentally friendly and ‘green’, 100 percent recyclable and do not contain any toxic gases or hazardous materials, meeting compliance with California Title 22 Hazardous Waste Requirements, unlike incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs.

 

SANTA FE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SunEdison, North America’s largest solar energy services provider, a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE: WFR), and Xcel Energy’s regional operating company, Southwestern Public Service Company, today announced a deal for five photovoltaic solar installations in New Mexico that will total 50 megawatts (MW) in generation capacity.

The five 10MW sites, to be located in Lea and Eddy counties in southeastern New Mexico, will comprise a utility-scale, ground-mount system that will be fully operational by the end of 2011. In total, the installations will generate enough power for more than 10,000 homes in its first full year of operation.

This total project will enable Xcel Energy to continue meeting New Mexico’s renewable portfolio standard, which requires that regulated electric utilities meet 15 percent of their electricity needs by 2015, and 20 percent by 2020, through renewable energy sources.

The five installations will be built, financed and maintained by SunEdison, under a 20-year solar power services agreement (SPSA) with Xcel Energy, which will buy the solar power generated by the plant.

“We are thrilled to begin harvesting New Mexico’s rich solar resources, and we are equally proud to add this project to our growing base of wind energy, as we diversify our renewable energy portfolio,” said Riley Hill, president and CEO of Southwestern Public Service Company, an Xcel Energy company. “We are also pleased to be working with SunEdison, a leader in solar development with the experience and financial strength to ensure a smooth project completion.”

This project eclipses the 8.22MW (DC) solar power system SunEdison activated for Xcel Energy in Alamosa, Colorado in December 2007. At 50MW, the Xcel Energy project will be one of the largest in North America.

Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson said the project reflects New Mexico’s sustained commitment to solar energy leadership. “Excellent natural resources, competitive incentives and pro business policies have positioned New Mexico at the forefront of the clean energy economy, and our commitment continues to generate economic development and well-paying jobs throughout the state,” Governor Richardson said.

New Mexico State Senator, Carroll Leavell commented, “I am most appreciative of SunEdison and Xcel Energy for working together for a renewable energy source that will serve southeastern New Mexico and West Texas. This will be of benefit not only as an additional source of energy but also as economic development for Lea and Eddy Counties.”

Lisa Hardison, interim president of the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County, said, “Thanks to Xcel Energy, our vision to brand and market Lea County as the EnergyPlex is becoming more and more a reality,” Hardison said. “Xcel Energy’s infrastructure and commitment to the Renewable Portfolio Standard – energy development, overall – are critical to our efforts. With SunEdison in the EnergyPlex now, we have the nation’s most significant energy players across the petroleum, nuclear and renewables industries developing their projects right here.”

 

Green building is a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity

BALTIMORE, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Maryland announced its 2010 Advocacy Agenda in advance of the 427th session of the Maryland General Assembly, which begins on January 13, 2010.

USGBC is a diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

The need for green building has been created by the staggering impact that buildings have on the environment. Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39 percent of CO2 emissions, 40 percent of energy consumption, and 13 percent of water consumption, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity.

Through the following six initiatives of the 2010 Advocacy Agenda, USGBC Maryland welcomes the opportunity to educate our policy making public officials and to help establish Maryland as a frontrunner in green building and sustainable practices.

GRAYWATER RECYCLING SYSTEMS. Water reuse strategies, including the use of rain water, are a key component of water conservation. Such measures are necessitated by the lack of potable water in some areas and overloaded sewerage treatment plants in other locales. Enact legislation prohibiting local governments from banning the use of Graywater by local codes.

ENERGY LABELS. Buildings use 74% of all electricity in the U.S. The Maryland government can raise awareness of the need to reduce energy use by requiring that all government (state and local) buildings measure and publicly post their respective Energy Star rating.

GREEN ROOFS. New government buildings in Maryland are currently required to be green and achieve a minimum of LEED Silver certified rating. Require those buildings, and any roof replacement on existing buildings, to have no less than 50% green roof coverage (a vegetated roof or appropriate reflective white roof). Such measures can be incorporated in a cost effective manner.

EXPAND GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM. To reduce building operating costs, expand the existing State green building law to require that all construction on State owned or leased land achieve a minimum of LEED Silver or equivalent certification. Require that all capital projects funded with state money (in any amount) meet the same requirement. Expansion of the existing Act beyond wholly state-owned and funded buildings will reduce building operating costs and help achieve the State's energy and carbon emission reduction goals.

STATE RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDIT. By 2022, 20% of Maryland power must be from renewable sources. Require that 20% of those Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) purchased by utilities in Maryland and 25% of solar RECs be derived from sources within Maryland. This will stimulate the production of renewable energy in Maryland and create green jobs.

HEALTH CARE - GREEN BUILDING. Expand the existing State green building laws to require that construction of hospitals funded with state money, whether in part or in whole, achieve a minimum of LEED Silver or equivalent certification. Require that the State's policy for the Certificate of Need include specific requirements according to the LEED standards, as appropriate.

Rex Wright, chair of USGBC Maryland, said, "Maryland has been a leader in green building, but there is more than we can do and should do."

He went on to report, "This Agenda is the product of months of work by representatives of more than 600 member businesses and organizations. We believe this Agenda can provide sustainable goals for the 2010 General Assembly session."

Details on each of these initiatives and the complete USGBC Maryland Advocacy Agenda 2010 can be found at www.usgbcmaryland.org.

 

High-Bond, Conformable Adhesive Acrylic Foam Tapes

SHANGHAI, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The first four products in a new range of high-performance acrylic foam tapes are bringing a new dimension to the Avery Dennison Specialty Tape Advantage Solutions portfolio. Avery Dennison XHA 6600 series tapes offer a number of benefits for tasks where high ultimate adhesion and high temperature performance, coupled with conformability, are the key requirements. They are designed to meet the needs of critical fastening and bonding applications in industries that include transportation, building and construction, electronics, glazing, signage, domestic appliances, and furniture. The physical nature of the XHA 6600 tapes - an acrylic foam core into which the adhesive is mixed - delivers a versatile professional solution.

The benefits of adhesive acrylic foam

The still-tacky core of UV-cured closed-cell acrylic foam has a high density, making die-cutting and conversion easy. Its compound nature gives it high density, which in turn provides enhanced holding power and tensile strength. The conformable foam provides cushioning and impact resistance, even over irregular surfaces. Perhaps most importantly, XHA 6600 tapes offer the high temperature resistance required of many fastening applications today - up to 200 degree Celsius; and they are also moisture, solvent, and UV resistant, and UL approved.

 

CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pentadyne Power Corporation, (www.pentadyne.com) the world leader in flywheel energy storage systems, announced the GTX flywheel has been selected as one of BuildingGreen’s Top-10 products of the year by the editors of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec®. This eighth annual award recognizes the most innovative and exciting green building products added to the GreenSpec® Directory during the past year or covered in Environmental Building News.

“Our selections of the Top-10 Green Building Products represent a wide range of product types in many different application areas,” noted GreenSpec BuildingGreen founder and executive editor Alex Wilson. This year’s list is particularly diverse, ranging from a recycled-content concrete block, to a flywheel energy storage system for data centers, a mobile solar generator for job-site power, and an advanced modular classroom for schools. “Many of the Top-10 products this year have multiple environmental attributes,” said Wilson.

“Pentadyne is honored to have our carbon flywheel energy storage system chosen as one of BuildingGreen’s Top-10 Products. This recognition showcases our flywheel’s green and energy efficient benefits. Just one flywheel eliminates 32,000 lbs of toxic lead and sulfuric acid from a facility, while allowing users to significantly increase back-up power reliability and save money,” stated Jeff Colton, Pentadyne’s Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

The GTX flywheel provides ride-through power and voltage stabilization for large-scale uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems in facilities such as data centers, hospitals, and casinos. It is designed to provide high power output and energy storage in a compact, self-contained package and offers 25 percent more energy storage than previous models, allowing users to reduce the number of flywheels required. Pentadyne flywheel systems are reliable and environmentally sound alternatives to lead acid batteries which emit greenhouse gasses and dump lead and sulfuric acid into the environment.

BuildingGreen’s Top-10 product selections, as in previous years, are drawn primarily from new additions to the company’s GreenSpec Product Directory. About 200 products have been added to the GreenSpec database during the past year. “New products are being introduced all the time, making it a challenge for our staff to keep up,” said Wilson. The GreenSpec database includes more than 2,100 product listings, representing several times as many actual products.

A big driver in the development of green products continues to be the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Rating System (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which awards points for the use of certain product types or for the energy or water savings that certain green products can achieve. “Designers of LEED buildings are looking for green products, and manufacturers are responding,” said Wilson. In the online version of GreenSpec, users can find products organized by LEED credits.

GreenSpec is the leading national directory of green building products. Products are selected based on criteria developed over the past 17 years. Manufacturers do not pay to be listed in GreenSpec, and neither GreenSpec nor Environmental Building News carry advertising; both are supported by users of the information. “Our policy of not accepting money from product manufacturers allows us to be objective in our review of products,” said Wilson. The GreenSpec product database is also available online as part of BuildingGreen.com.

 

Silestone helps Vancouver's Olympic Village aim for a cleaner, greener Olympics

HOUSTON, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Cosentino, maker of Silestone Natural Quartz, is proud to have been selected as the sole countertop supplier for the 2010 Olympic Village in Vancouver, B.C. This project developed by Millennium Water, will not only serve as a "home away from home" for officials and competing athletes, but it will also be one of the first LEED Gold neighborhoods in Canada.

The Olympic Village development is the largest North American quartz commercial project in 2009. The design encompassed fabrication and installation of over 71,000 square feet of countertop surface. Silestone countertops and vanities were installed in 859 apartment kitchens and baths. Trademark Silestone colors in Capri Limestone, White Maple and Ivory Coast helped create beauty and efficiency while setting the precedent for clean and natural living. Silestone is the only countertop with GREENGUARD indoor air quality certification and built-in Microban protection providing a cleaner and safer surface.

FAMA Industries, a Surrey, B.C., solid surface manufacturer, successfully completed the development. FAMA Industries worked with Commercial Surfaces Group and Stone Systems, both of St. Paul, Minnesota, to complete this sustainable project against the deadline of the Olympic Games. "When approached by the Millennium Group on their surfacing requirements for the Olympic Village, our decision to use Silestone was very simple. With the sheer size of the project, the accelerated schedule, and the rigid deadlines, we were confident that only Silestone could deliver; and they certainly did," remarked Mehran Aghtai, president for FAMA Project Supplies

"Cosentino is honored to reflect the green vision for the Olympic Village through Silestone. We strive to be a part of projects that leave a positive impact on our environment," commented Lorenzo Marquez, marketing vice president for Cosentino North America.

Cosentino is committed to the continuous improvement and development of eco-friendly processes through innovation and technology. As the market for green products grows exponentially, the growth of the company is directly linked to its green practices that respect, protect and rebuild the environment - from the early stages of mining and sourcing raw materials, to product manufacturing, distribution, fabrication and installation.

 

DALLAS, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Systemates, Inc. released its latest version of their Construction Management Software, Projectmates V10.0, that comes with a fully loaded financial module and an effective project progression tracker tool -- Earned Value Management. With a cache of offerings concentrated in the financial module, this new version is set to "wow" users, especially those with a soft spot for financial reporting. Projectmates makeover includes enhanced navigational tools, redesigned dashboards in portfolio management and a better-ordered and tabbed budget that facilitates an enhanced user experience and better visibility over budget. Like its predecessors, V10.0 is a product of company initiative for continuous improvement and valuable customer feedback, and provides many upgrades for customers to enjoy in 2010.

Customers have already begun to rave about the layout, ease-of-use and monitoring capabilities of the software. "Our customers play a vital role in our growth and we incorporate a lot of their ideas and needs when we develop our new releases," says Hemant Bhave, Vice President of Systemates, adding that the new Earned Value Analysis tool in V10.0 helps project managers avert problems ahead of time, rather than letting the problem snowball into an unmanageable issue. With large government contracts now requiring the use of Earned Value Management to compare expected against actual at given checkpoints, Systemates takes lead in offering this important tool to its users in Projectmates V10.0.

 

(Corona, Calif.) - DECRA Roofing Systems, Inc., the leading manufacturer of stone coated steel roofing, announced today that the company recently fulfilled a significant milestone in their commitment to the environment by earning ISO 14001:2004 certification at the Corona California facility.

This accomplishment demonstrates DECRA’s commitment to the environment and assurance to make continuous improvements to both its products and manufacturing process. DECRA began to establish objectives toward this certification by publishing “DECRA’s Environmental Commitment” and implementing policies in support of this commitment statement in early 2008.

The International Organization for Standards (ISO) is the largest developer and publisher of international standards in the world. The ISO 9000 standards give organizations an opportunity to increase value to their activities and to improve their performance continually, by focusing on their major processes and on continual improvement.

In addition to its ISO 14001:2004 certification, DECRA Roofing Systems is also a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and an ENERGY STAR® partner. DECRA was recently recognized at the Greenbuild show by the USGBC as a “Green Exhibitor Award Winner Advocate Level.” This is the second year DECRA has elected to participate in the Green Exhibitor Awards. DECRA Roofing Systems have been providing ageless beauty, superior performance and lasting durability for over 50 years. DECRA profiles are backed by a 50-year limited warranty, a 120 mph wind warranty, are Class 4 impact resistant, and steel is a non-combustible, Class A rated material.

For more information on DECRA Roofing Systems, call 877-GO-DECRA or visit www.decra.com.

 

For No Charge, Manufacturers Can Post Their Green Products in GreenWizard’s Free Public Database, so AEC Buyers Can Spec, Purchase, and Document the Greenest Alternatives

CHARLESTON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GreenWizard, LLC – a web-based “expert system” for architects, engineers, and contractors to spec, purchase, and document LEED-point-eligible green building products – today announced a new green-product database initiative.

GreenWizard has opened its online green-product database so that building product manufacturers (BPMs) can post, describe, and offer documentation for LEED-point-eligible products. Today, for no charge, BPMs can access a web-based database tool to post green product listings in GreenWizard’s free public database.

By accessing this growing database, buyers (especially the AEC community) can spec, document, and purchase (through eRFP & ePurchase) the greenest alternative products. Already, the architects, engineers, and contractors responsible for more than $250,000,000 in green building are eager to access GreenWizard to search for and analyze LEED-point-eligible products.

BPMs can access the GreenWizard interactive database tool at www.GreenWizard.com, or arrange to send appropriately formatted files to GreenWizard’s staff.

No other green product database exists with these capabilities.

“In good and bad economies, building product manufacturers are eager to capture business, and through GreenWizard they can access a highly sophisticated green customer base,” said Jerry Lepore, President and COO of GreenWizard. “If manufacturers simply post their products’ green attributes, supporting documentation, and LEED point eligibility, GreenWizard will give them entre’ into a world of knowledgeable buyers, who are eager to spec green alternative products.”

 

LEED-certified buildings and products qualifying for LEED points are the hot topics in today’s environmentally-conscious climate.

Duradek is very pleased to be a GREEN leader in our industry and can qualify for LEED points for Heat Island Effect on Roofs as well as points for Regional Materials.

We already know that, despite the ongoing controversy surrounding PVC, the cradle to grave definition of ‘Green’ shows PVC products (and Duradek) in a much more favorable light than the alternative products.

- Duradek is lightweight, so less structural requirements are necessary to support it and less energy is consumed in transportation as compared to EPDM and concrete pavers.
- Duradek is a one-step application which compares favorably to the multiple application and re-application requirements of a liquid applied system, saving many job trips which in turn consumes much less energy.
- Duradek has a long life span, which means less on-going restoration requirement of the structure and less materials going into the landfill.
- Duradek has no chemicals that will leach into the ground at the end of life, unlike pressure treated wood.

To read more about Duradek being GREEN, please go to www.duradek.com/duradekisgreen.html?
Or call 1-866-591-5594 for more details.

 

Vermont Danby Marble is Highly Durable and Environmentally Friendly

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pental Granite & Marble, the Northwest’s largest importer and distributor of natural stone and tile, has announced the addition of the Danby Marble line from Vermont Quarries Corp. to its collection of products. Vermont Danby white marble are a Greenguard certified product and is the first line to have all marble grades certified under this program. Greenguard certified products must meet stringent indoor air quality standards and are screened for more than 10,000 chemicals.

“We are very excited to expand our product offerings with the introduction of this unique line of marble,” said Peter Pental, president of Pental Granite & Marble. “These materials are not only striking and durable, but also qualify for green building and may help projects attain LEED points. They are ideally suited to stand up to conditions in kitchens and commercial settings.”

Due to a very low absorption rate of just 0.07 percent, which is about half the rate of most granites, Vermont Danby is highly resistant to damage and can be used both indoors and out. The marble, which is available in ten distinct colors and patterns, was recently selected by Martha Stewart for her residence and has been featured on The Food Network's “All Star Kitchen Makeover.” Pental Granite & Marble is the exclusive distributor in the Northwest to carry the Vermont Danby collection.

“This line of marble offers a luxurious look with varied veining,” said Pental. “It is one of those rare durable products that is highly sought after as well as environmentally-savvy.”

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation today announced that the company will be the exclusive supplier of energy- and water-efficient appliances to one of the country's largest home builders, Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE:BZH) .

Headquartered in Atlanta, Beazer Homes has ongoing operations in 16 states across the country, building high-performance homes designed to appeal to homebuyers at various price points across a wide-range of demographic segments.

As part of the agreement, Beazer homes will now include in all of its homes ENERGY STAR® qualified Whirlpool brand dishwashers, which incorporate advanced technologies that use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models. In addition, homebuyers can select from a wide-range of other Whirlpool Corporation kitchen appliance brands, such as Whirlpool or KitchenAid.

The Inside Advantage(TM) is designed to meet the needs of Whirlpool Corporation's trade customers and other building and design professionals. More than a program, The Inside Advantage(TM) allows the customer to leverage the strength of powerful brands that consumers recognize, innovative products, market insight and targeted services, all from one company.

As part of Beazer Homes' SMARTDESIGN® initiative, the builder includes up to 10 eco-friendly features in every home it builds, including CFL bulbs, programmable thermostats and ENERGY STAR dishwashers. Other standard features include water-saving faucets and showerheads, as well as MERV-8 air filters and low-VOC paints and carpet, which contributes to healthier indoor air quality.

 

Anaheim, CA – December 15, 2009 – ParexLahabra, the parent company of leading building material brands; Parex, LaHabra , El Rey Stucco, Teifs, and MerKrete Systems, today announced the launch of the new Parex.com website.

The new website features expanded content, incorporates colors and graphics and completely new navigational tools. The redesigned site aims to provide users with a clean uncluttered environment allowing users quicker access to the key information they are after.

"We went to our primary users for feedback on our current site. Based on this feedback we were able to develop a site that not only met the needs of our users but also exceeded their expectations" said Quenton Roehricht, Parex Brand Manager.

The launch is the result of over 6 months of work with partner BuildingOnline, the Building Industry leader in website design, and key members of the ParexLahabra team.

"The new Parex.com was designed and programmed by BuildingOnline, with the latest Web 2.0 technologies to provide fast and accurate information for today's EIFS and Stucco pros,” said Alan Wickstrom, President/CEO of BuildingOnline. “From the dynamic Product Selector, and customizable Submittal Package programs, to the Automatic LEED letter generator, our goal was to provide for clean design and an easy-to-use navigation/search functions to make finding and using this information readily accessible to all pros 24/7."

"As a leading EIFS provider, we realize that users need to access the information they seek quickly,” said Mr. Roehricht. “This is especially true for audiences that are new to EIFS as an exterior cladding. With this new website we have been able to accomplish this and more."

ParexLahabra Inc. is the US based parent company of leading building material brands; Parex, LaHabra, El Rey Stucco, Teifs, and MerKrete Systems. The product lines of ParexLahabra Inc. are designed for the construction of commercial, institutional and residential buildings. The 2002, ISO 9001-2000 certification of Parex helped to substantiate ParexLahabra as a leader in the building materials industry with over 80 years of combined experience. For more information regarding ParexLahabra visit www.parexlahabra.com.

 

5 MW Plant Honored by Power Engineering for Commercializing Breakthrough Solar Thermal Technology

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Power Engineering announced the selection of eSolar’s Sierra SunTower facility, a state-of-the-art solar thermal power plant, as the winner of "Best Renewable and Sustainable Project" at the 2009 Projects of the Year Awards. Each year, Power Engineering magazine editors recognize the world's best projects in four major categories: gas-fired, coal-fired, nuclear and renewable. The award comes less than four months after eSolar’s Sierra SunTower was launched and distinguishes the facility as an exceptional power generation project to meet growing global demand. eSolar celebrates this recognition along with its recent selection as a Technology Pioneer 2010 by the World Economic Forum.

“eSolar has created a new blueprint for concentrated solar thermal, one that overcomes the barriers of cost that have long stood in the way of the technology’s tremendous potential to deliver renewable energy on a global-scale,” said Bill Gross, CEO of eSolar. “Concentrated solar power is gaining a reputation for reliable utility-scale energy generation, and eSolar is pleased to be distinguished as the industry leader.”

eSolar unveiled Sierra SunTower, a 5 MW commercial-scale solar power plant, in August 2009. Located in Lancaster, California, Sierra SunTower is the only power tower facility currently operating in North America. Since completion, its thermal receivers have consistently produced super-heated steam with an average operating temperature of 800°F at a pressure of 900 psi. The facility delivers clean, renewable energy to the grid through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Southern California Edison.

As eSolar’s first commercial project, Sierra SunTower showcases technological innovations that address the key obstacles facing utility-scale solar installations. eSolar dramatically reduces costs by using less steel and more software. By leveraging advanced algorithms for precise sun tracking, eSolar utilizes small, pre-fabricated plant components to drive down costs. Projects can be developed on small parcels of land close to existing transmission lines, thereby overcoming environmental concerns.

The first of several solar plants planned for the Antelope Valley, Sierra SunTower delivered a boost to the local economy by creating nearly 300 jobs at the peak of construction; in operation, the site employs more than 20 permanent staff.

“The Sierra SunTower project from eSolar exemplifies the kind of creative thinking and innovation that Power Engineering magazine’s editors hope to foster through our annual Projects of the Year awards program,” said David Wagman, chief editor of Power Engineering magazine. “The eSolar team is to be congratulated for this outstanding project, which was our hands-down choice as the best renewable energy project of the year.”

Winners were announced at the Projects of the Year Awards gala banquet held on December 7 as part of the POWER-GEN International Conference in Las Vegas.

 

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the leading product safety testing organization, and ICC Evaluation Service, Inc® (ICC-ES®), the United States' leader in evaluating building products for compliance with code, today announced a partnership that will provide the building materials industry with a Dual Evaluation and Certification Program for building products. Together, the highly regarded UL Mark and the trusted ICC-ES Mark will demonstrate to tens of thousands of regulators, building officials, architects and insurers that the building products and systems they inspect, design and insure are compliant with appropriate codes and product safety standards.

The Dual Evaluation and Certification Program simplifies the testing and evaluation process for manufacturers. They now have an easier way of conducting business. Through one point of contact for both UL and ICC-ES, manufacturers can conduct testing to UL safety standards, show code compliance via an ICC-ES Evaluation Report and get simultaneous postings of compliant products in UL's Online Certifications Directory and Code Correlation Database along with ICC-ES's online directory of evaluation reports and e-Codes Premium.

In addition to streamlining testing processes, UL has enhanced the usability of its product certification information. UL's Code Correlation Database (www.ul.com/regulators/codelink) connects product certifications directly with specific applicable model installation code sections to help code authorities and other industry professionals find ICC-ES code-compliant products. The ease of viewing code sections and manufacturer listings in one location makes it the only database of its kind in the industry.

 

PLANO, Texas, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PepsiCo's Frito-Lay Casa Grande, Ariz., facility today became the nation's first food manufacturing site to be awarded LEED® Existing Building (EB) Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

"Constructing a building from the ground up allows you to be more thoughtful about the sustainable choices you make, but it's extremely challenging to retrofit a 25-year-old building to make it more environmentally friendly," said Jason Gray, technical manager, Frito-Lay Casa Grande. "However, we think the investment to have our facility meet LEED EB Gold standards is an important part for our sustainability strategy and another step in our journey."

"In today's economic climate, organizations are reframing the definition of smart economic growth to include renovating and retrofitting existing structures to make them more energy efficient. Transforming this existing stock toward economic and environmental viability is imperative," said USGBC President, CEO and Founding Chairman Rick Fedrizzi. "PepsiCo's Frito-Lay manufacturing facility in Arizona should be celebrated for achieving LEED gold certification and demonstrating immense leadership in the green movement."

To achieve LEED EB Certification, the company's Casa Grande sustainability strategy included implementing a number of green design and construction features, water reduction technologies and practices, as well as improved waste management.

 

Green Life Smart Life showcase home proves homeowners can integrate robust technology solutions with green living

NARRAGANSETT, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Control4, the leader in affordable IP-based home control and entertainment systems, is proud to announce its contribution the Green Life Smart Life project’s LEED for Homes Gold rating from the US Green Building Council.

Control4 provided the overall home control, energy management and entertainment solution for the Green Life Smart Life project. In the home, the Control4® O/S consolidated major subsystems such as lighting and HVAC into a single whole home automation platform. Providing everything from improved functionality and integrated third-party applications to personalized climate settings and remote management capabilities, the Control4® system’s contribution to the home’s efficiency helped lower the HERS rating to 58, a 42% improvement over the average American home.

The Control4® solution uses a ZigBee enabled device to bridge data from the utility meter to the Control4® home automation system. This is one of the first non-trial residential installations of a Control4® energy management system in the country. The system monitors and aggregates data from all electricity loads in the house with real-time analysis of usage and cost.

The Control4 system includes appliance modules that are programmed to manage load shedding of high-energy devices. The system individually manages and monitors the family charging station, the entertainment system rack, the lighting control system, and the televisions in the home.

Control4 also provides interface for the whole home audio and distributed video system, and integrates Windows® Media Center running a quad CableCARD setup for TV, digital content, pictures and more. The home features the first residential system integration of Windows 7 with Windows Media Center on the Control4® platform.

 

Rigorous Indoor Air Quality Certification Augments USFloors' Sustainability Credentials

ATLANTA, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is proud to announce that USFloors, Inc. has achieved the first-ever GREENGUARD Certification for a complete line of bamboo flooring. Though bamboo flooring has long been considered a sustainable choice because it is a rapidly renewable material, it now helps create healthier indoor environments by meeting the stringent chemical emissions standards of the GREENGUARD Certification Program(SM).

Indoor air quality can have a significant impact on the health of building occupants and is therefore recognized as critical to the creation of healthy, high-performance interior environments by numerous sustainable building programs such as, the United States Green Building Council's LEED(R) program and the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) National Green Building Program. Both of these programs, and many others, identify the specification of GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified products as a strategy to improve indoor air quality and fulfill requirements for low-emitting materials.

USFloors is a leading manufacturer of bamboo, cork and other hardwood flooring products for both residential and contract commercial environments. The company markets its contract products under the USF Contract brand.

The GREENGUARD Children & Schools Program is one of the most stringent and rigorous indoor air quality certification programs in the world. Products certified to this standard have been screened for more than 10,000 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and undergo periodic verification processes to remain certified. The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, an independent, third-party organization dedicated to improving indoor air, oversees the certification program and develops the standards that guide it.

 

Collaboration to empower girls to help create healthier schools and communities

NEW YORK, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two leading nonprofit organizations have joined forces to help girls take action to improve the environment and their communities by promoting green schools. Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) will team with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to leverage local Girl Scouts Forever Green projects as part of USGBC's National Green Schools Campaign. Girls will team with USGBC volunteers throughout its extensive chapter network to develop and use their leadership skills to significantly impact the environment by working in schools and throughout their communities to save energy, conserve water, increase green space, improve air quality and reduce waste.

The announcement of the GSUSA/USGBC partnership coincides with the mass market release of the Girl Scouts' new series, It's Your Planet - Love It! The environmentally-themed books help girls tackle issues of conservation, pollution, and renewable and reusable resources and challenge them to take the lead in protecting the planet. The series, developed for girls in grades K-12, uses lessons and exercises that focus on leadership development.

Green schools cost less to operate, freeing up resources to truly improve students' education. Across the country, school districts large and small are realizing the benefits of green schools. Students, parents, teachers and community members are making the difference, by letting decision makers know they want their schools built, operated, and maintained green. The Green Schools Campaign provides a natural way for Girl Scouts to apply their environmental lessons in their own educational community.

USGBC is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC launched the National Green Schools Campaign in 2007, with the ambitious goal to provide a green school for every child in America within a generation. Through this campaign, USGBC supports federal, state and local initiatives that advance the green schools movement.

"Through our partnership with the Girl Scouts of the USA, we have the potential to reach and inspire millions of girls - America's future leaders - to impact the way school buildings are designed, built and operated, enabling a healthier and environmentally responsibly built environment for future students and teachers," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, USGBC.

Tens of thousands of Girl Scouts throughout the country are engaged in environmentally friendly projects in their communities as part of the Forever Green initiative. Forever Green projects are part of a range of activities leading up the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts in 2012.

 

Using Wind Expertise and Proven Technology, GE Makes Solar More Reliable

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Technology used in GE’s (NYSE:GE) wind turbines, known for proven performance and reliability, is now bringing similar benefits to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Building on a platform of power electronics, monitoring and controls that enhance wind energy grid integration, GE has developed a 600 kW solar inverter, which includes grid-friendly features to deliver performance in large-scale solar installations similar to conventional power plants.

Based on the proven design of the power converters that GE manufactures for its fleet of 12,000+ 1.5-megawatt wind turbines, the new solar inverter is suited for use in the multi-megawatt solar projects that are becoming an increasing percentage of new installations. “We believe that there will be significant growth in large-scale projects as the United States and the world strive to meet renewable energy targets,” said Victor Abate, vice president-renewables for GE Power & Water. “The challenge will be integrating these larger solar projects—which are also powered by a variable fuel source—in a reliable way.”

Because the energy output of a solar power plant is directly related to the availability of the sun, anticipating the load that the solar power plant will provide can present a challenge for the utility grid, causing the plant to trip off-line. In order to ensure that solar power plants stay online, providing cleaner, more reliable energy, the variability needs to be managed so that it is more predictable—even during disturbances such as intermittent cloud cover.

GE’s wind converters include control functions that enhance integration—a requirement to meet grid codes. SunIQ*, GE’s suite of solar plant monitoring and controls, can manage voltage in a similar way. “As variable energy such as wind and solar continues to come online, there will be ongoing challenges with integrating into the grid,” said Abate. “Solar integration will need to be managed in order to ensure that it operates as a ‘good citizen’ on today’s grid.”

According to New Energy Finance, demand for solar energy has grown about 30% per year for the past 15 years, while hydrocarbon energy demand typically grows less than 2% a year. As wind and solar power plants increase in size and number to meet these demands, they are beginning to have a greater impact on the grid, displacing more traditional sources of power generation.

While some software changes were needed to modify GE’s wind converter technology for solar applications, the hardware has remained nearly the same, enabling GE to leverage its expertise in the manufacture of its extremely reliable wind converters. Engineering and design were completed at GE’s controls center of excellence in Salem, Va. The company already makes 4,000 wind converters annually and has increased production at the Salem facility to include solar. In addition to experience, GE offers the global resources necessary to effectively maintain high levels of performance in large-scale installations, including a global services organization, 24/7 remote monitoring and diagnostics centers and parts support.

For more information about GE’s solar inverter, go to www.ge-energy.com/solarinverter.

 

ATLANTA, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Air Quality Sciences, a world expert in indoor air quality (IAQ), has seen the rise of sustainable building programs and how vast and differed they can be. The popularity and prevalence of green building is not expected to slow any time soon. Results from a 2008 McGraw-Hill Construction (MHC) and World Green Building Council survey of international construction firms project that nearly all survey respondents (94 percent) will be building green on at least 16 percent of their projects (by 2013). The results go on to say that more than half of respondents (53 percent) will be building green on more than 60 percent of projects.

A new white paper titled "Building Rating Systems (Certification Programs): A Comparison of Key Programs," takes a look at how key green building programs adopted by various countries differ from one another, explains what guidelines they have for indoor air quality and includes helpful summaries of each program. The white paper discusses the following green building programs and certifications:

-- The BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) - launched in the UK
-- The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) - United States
-- Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental Efficiency(CASBEE) - Japan
-- Germany Sustainable Building Certificate (DGNB) - Germany
-- Green Building Evaluation Standard (also called the Three Star System)- China
-- Green Globes System - Canada
-- Green Star - Australia
-- Hong Kong Building Environmental Assessment Method (HK-BEAM) - Hong Kong
-- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) - United States
-- National Green Building Standard - United States


While each program impacts building practices differently, they all include standards for controlling IAQ. This is an important program attribute since poor IAQ can lead to occupant health problems including allergies; skin and eye irritation; difficulty breathing and persistent cough; reoccurring headaches; and asthma. Poor IAQ is linked to indoor pollutants including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that linger in the air.

Creating an effective IAQ Management Plan, targeted to a building's specific needs, including achieving LEED or other programs' environmental quality prerequisites and credits, requires expert help. Air Quality Sciences is dedicated to partnering with building owners, designers and facility managers in creating and maintaining healthy indoor environments. Protecting the health of building occupants is a key objective. AQS works with clients throughout the lifecycle of a building, from its initial design and construction through its long-term occupancy, operation and maintenance.

"By compiling a review of leading sustainable building programs' top line information into one report, we hope to assist builders, contractors and designers in better understanding sustainable building practices," shared Tony Worthan, President and Chief Operating Officer of Air Quality Sciences.

The full report "Green Building Rating Systems (Certification Programs): A Comparison" is available free of charge from the Aerias-AQS Indoor Air Quality Resource Center at www.aerias.org under

"Premium Content," then "White Papers."

To learn more about this white paper and services offered, contact Air Quality Sciences at 770-933-0638. To learn more about what factors impact indoor air quality and the importance of a healthy indoor environment, visit Air Quality Science's knowledge and resource center dedicated to indoor air quality (www.aerias.org). For a list of products that are certified as low-emitting of potentially dangerous chemicals and may help earn LEED points, visit the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute's site at www.greenguard.org.

 

NASA's New Aerogel Technology, the Highest R-value Ever Developed, Now Set to Change the World

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA named Thermablok aerogel insulating material to its Top 49 list of products in the newly released 2009 edition of Spinoff, NASA's annual premier publication featuring companies that have successfully adapted NASA technologies to everyday products and made them available to average consumers.

In NASA's 2009 Spinoff list, Thermablok joins an esteemed group of companies and technologies that have directly benefitted as a result of the space program. The list includes products in the fields health, transportation, energy consumption and creation, computer chips, and environmental technologies.

Taking the newly discovered aerogel insulation technology developed by NASA - the highest insulating material in existence - Thermablok, based in Tampa Florida, developed a highly efficient product that may soon become a standard in the building industry. Aerogel, also referred to as "frozen smoke" has been difficult to adapt to most uses because of its fragility.

The patented Thermablok material overcomes this by using a unique fiber to suspend a proprietary formula of aerogel which allows it to be bent or compressed while still retaining its amazing insulation properties.

The process requires saturating the fiber with liquefied aerogel, then extracting the liquid using liquid nitrogen.

Lahnie Johnson is president and founder of Thermablok and its sister company, Acoustiblok, Inc. Johnson stated that just one, 1/4-inch x 1 1/2-inch strip of Thermablok added to just one edge of each stud before hanging drywall breaks the conductive "thermal bridging" which occurs through the stud, and can increase the overall wall R-factor by more than 40 percent (US Department of Energy/JM Laboratories.)

Consisting of more than 95-percent air, Thermablok is virtually weightless, making it easy and inexpensive to ship and install. Made in the USA, Thermablok is 100-percent recyclable, will not age, and being hydrophobic it will not combine with or be affected by water. An excellent green product for today's environmentally friendly new construction and retrofits requiring no structural or permit changes. Anyone can install it.

The honor could not be more fitting for Thermablok, as NASA is dedicating this year's Spinoff issue to the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Thermablok uses the same aerogel technology that NASA applies to its space shuttles, astronaut's space suits, and other space technology, including more missions. Spinoff also summarizes the ways in which Apollo continues to provide tangible benefits to the lives of people in the U.S. and around the world.

Since 1976, Spinoff has featured between 40 and 50 of these commercial products annually. These products are just the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to the thousands of products to which NASA's research and development has contributed. Spinoff maintains a searchable database of every technology published since its inception. "This database is truly inspirational for people of all ages," Johnson said.

For more than 40 years, the NASA Innovative Partnerships Program has promoted the transfer of NASA technology to the private sector in an effort to benefit worldwide competition as well as the nation's economy.

Johnson, an inventor, entrepreneur, and former aerospace associate, is an enthusiastic proponent of NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program.

"The results of the space program have contributed immensely to products and technology we all take for granted in our daily lives," he said.

For more information regarding Thermablok, visit our website at www.thermablok.com, e-mail us at sales@acoustiblok.com, or call us at 813-980-1400.

 

Canadian Solar Industries Association Honors First Light Solar Energy Park in Stone Mills, Ontario

TORONTO, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SunEdison, a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic materials (NYSE:WFR) along with project partner, SkyPower, have been awarded the “Solar PV Project of the Year for Ground Mount” by CanSIA, the leading solar association in Canada. The award was presented for the 9.1-megawatt (MW) First Light Solar Energy Park in Stone Mills, Ontario, the largest solar energy park built to date in Canada. Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, Honourable George Smitherman presented the award.

In presenting the award Minister Smitherman said, “The First Light Solar Energy Park’s grand opening made solar dreams real for a lot of people in the industry – not just in Ontario – but across the country. For being the spark that is without question the very first big bright light of solar in Canada – but certainly not the last, we offer our congratulations.”

The system, covering 90 acres of land, approximately the size of 50 Canadian football fields, began transmitting energy to Hydro One Networks, the largest electricity transmission and distribution company in Ontario, on September 30. SunEdison and SkyPower expect First Light to generate more than 10 million kilowatt hours (kWhs), enough electricity to power approximately 1,000 homes in its first year of operation, the equivalent of taking almost 1,800 cars off the road and removing 8,000 metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere.

Commenting on the award, SunEdison President and Executive VP of MEMC Carlos Domenech said, “We are honored that we have been recognized along with our partner, SkyPower, with such a prestigious award from CanSIA. It is a reflection of SunEdison’s commitment to Canada, and underscores the opportunities for renewable energy made possible in Ontario. SunEdison looks forward to continued development of rooftop and ground mount solar systems throughout the Province, and throughout Canada."

During construction of First Light, SunEdison and SkyPower worked closely with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources to successfully preserve habitat for the endangered Eastern Loggerhead Shrike. First Light was built on bedrock that would have had limited use for other development, meeting the priority for protecting agricultural lands.

 

Article Describes ArmorLite’s Technology that Addresses the Concerns Surrounding Mercury in CFL Bulbs

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clear-Lite Holdings, Inc. (“ClearLite”) (OTCBB: CLRH), a leading innovator of eco-friendly lighting and the appreciably safer ArmorLite™ CFL, reported today Tim Hornyak, the writer of Crave, the CNET Gadget Blog, has featured ClearLite’s ArmorLite SAFETY ECO CFL because its SX-4000 silicon skin is designed to help capture the broken glass and mercury, when the bulb inside shatters, providing an adding level of safety between you and the toxins inside.

The article, headlined, “CFL bulb with safety skin keeps mercury inside,” also described the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines for dealing with the dangers of mercury contamination from broken standard CFLs.

“Current EPA guidelines call for evacuating people and pets from the area where a bulb has shattered,” the article noted. “They also call for the room to be aired out for 15 minutes and the air conditioning to be shut off.”

“We value the recognition that our ArmorLite CFL has received in the CNET Gadget Blog, Crave,” said President and CEO Thomas Irvine of ClearLite. "The Blog features all the newest and coolest gadgets and products hitting the marketplace and we see our SAFETY ECO CFL as being the next generation, cutting-edge product to have."

To read the full article on CNET’s website, please visit: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10384726-1.html.

ClearLite constantly embraces innovation; its cutting-edge products help reduce energy use, provide a more natural light and now A Safer CFL. Unlike the commonly found spiral design CFLs, the patent-pending ArmorLite looks like an incandescent bulb. It is in fact a compact fluorescent light bulb hidden inside a glass-shaped safety-coated cover; it is similar in design to the incandescent light bulb that seems to be preferred by most consumers. ClearLite offers a wide range of green lighting solutions for both retail and commercial clients. It has focused on earth-friendly, energy-saving “natural” lighting and now A Safer CFL, the patent-pending ArmorLite SAFETY ECO CFL.

 

 

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the leading product safety testing organization, and ICC Evaluation Service, Inc® (ICC-ES®), the United States' leader in evaluating building products for compliance with code, today announced a partnership that will provide the building materials industry with a Dual Evaluation and Certification Program for building products. Together, the highly regarded UL Mark and the trusted ICC-ES Mark will demonstrate to tens of thousands of regulators, building officials, architects and insurers that the building products and systems they inspect, design and insure are compliant with appropriate codes and product safety standards.

The Dual Evaluation and Certification Program simplifies the testing and evaluation process for manufacturers. They now have an easier way of conducting business. Through one point of contact for both UL and ICC-ES, manufacturers can conduct testing to UL safety standards, show code compliance via an ICC-ES Evaluation Report and get simultaneous postings of compliant products in UL's Online Certifications Directory and Code Correlation Database along with ICC-ES's online directory of evaluation reports and e-Codes Premium.

"This partnership between UL and ICC-ES brings two industry leaders together to create a one-stop-shop for building materials testing and evaluation needs in the built environment," says Chris Hasbrook, vice president and general manager, UL Global Building Materials and Life Safety & Security Industries. "The Dual Evaluation and Certification Program will provide manufacturers faster turnaround times and speed to market, while giving their customers two more reasons to trust the quality, safety and efficiency of their products."

In addition to streamlining testing processes, UL has enhanced the usability of its product certification information. UL's Code Correlation Database (www.ul.com/regulators/codelink) connects product certifications directly with specific applicable model installation code sections to help code authorities and other industry professionals find ICC-ES code-compliant products. The ease of viewing code sections and manufacturer listings in one location makes it the only database of its kind in the industry.

"ICC's 55,000 members now have access to the Dual Evaluation and Certification Program that will help them in their code-compliance decisions while saving time and money," said Mark Johnson, president, ICC-ES. "This is just one of the many benefits of working with a trusted partner in safety like UL, and we continue to look for new opportunities to expand this partnership to better serve our customers and members."

In October, UL and ICC-ES announced their first dual listing partnership. To provide code officials and construction professionals with a reliable means to verify that Plumbing/Mechanical/Fuel Gas (PMG) products comply with applicable codes and standards, they established a Dual PMG Listing Program.

ICC, the parent company of ICC-ES, publishes the International Codes, which include the International Building (IBC), Fire (IFC) and Residential (IRC) Codes. The IBC has been adopted in 50 states plus Washington DC, the IRC in 48 states and the IFC in 42 states at either the state or local level. Between them, ICC and ICC-ES have on staff a full range of building materials product experts and professional engineers with product evaluation experience.

UL has more than 100 years of building materials expertise and is the North American leader in fire safety testing, certification and research. The company is dedicated to working with architects, regulatory authorities, manufacturers, insurers, building owners, retailers and other partners in the building materials community to improve safety both at work and at home. For more information about UL's expertise in Building Materials and Life Safety & Security, visit the industries section on www.ul.com

 

New standards follow initiatives to define sustainable building materials

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- UL Environment, Inc. (ULE), a global leader in environmental evaluation and certification programs, announces a collaborative effort to develop sustainability standards for thermal insulation and roof covering materials. These standards will establish environmental requirements for products and associated parts based on life cycle assessment of raw materials, production, distribution, use and disposal.

"UL Environment's standards will supplement the energy efficiency benefits of roofing and insulation by addressing and incorporating multiple aspects of sustainability," said Steve Wenc, President, ULE. "Our sustainability standards will establish guidelines for the development of more environmentally-friendly roofing and insulation products and help builders and consumers identify sustainable options for these key building components."

ULE's new sustainability standards will be developed through a balanced, collaborative process and draw on input from UL Environment Standard Technical Panels (STPs) comprised of stakeholders such as manufacturers, product installers, distributors, users, consumer interest groups, government entities and testing organizations. These standards will set minimum environmental requirements and create a progressive and tiered approach allowing sustainability leaders to highlight their achievements.

ULE's standards will complement existing credible and applicable single-attribute sustainability guidelines for roofing and thermal insulation. ULE's standards development effort for roofing and thermal insulation continues the organization's standards work around sustainable building materials, and follows the announcement of ULE standards initiatives defining sustainable doors, mineral and fiber board, ceiling systems, stone, ceramic, clay and glass, windows, building and glazing materials and associated hardware.

ULE expects initial drafts of its sustainability standards to be completed in 2010. For more information, visit www.ulenvironment.com.

 

We are taking this chance to Announce our Green Campaign. Avanti Green is a movement certifying all of our products within the LEED Rating System. Avanti is continually at the forefront of the Interior Glass Industry. We are striving to apply the same innovative philosophy to this new Environmentally Conscious Campaign!

We are an Environmentally Conscious Manufacturer and Installer of a World Class Portfolio of Glass Products. Our Green Policy, tends to both Green Building and Manufacturing. We strive to make contributions to Sustainability within the Construction, Building, and Design Environments. In order to execute sustainability within these environments we implement green building strategies, efficient manufacturing aspects, recycled materials, and installation practices. Avanti is continuously at the forefront of the industry, and we strive to maintain innovation through all facets of our business. Avanti, exceeds the industry sustainability standards.

 

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Conshohocken-based Quaker Chemical Corporation, a leading global provider of process chemicals and coatings, has launched a new website: www.rapidshield.com. This new site -- developed to showcase Quaker's high-performance, UV-curable floor coating system called RAPIDSHIELD(TM) -- offers industry-specific information and solutions via user-friendly navigation, making it easy for visitors to find exactly what they need. Visitors can access expanded content and technical information on the site, such as material safety data sheets and case studies, to receive technical assistance at the click of a button. To reach a more global audience, the website has literature available in multiple languages.

The RAPIDSHIELD(TM) UV floor coating system is ideal for arenas, supermarkets, cafeterias, corridors, cold rooms, classrooms, offices, stairwells, stadiums, indoor parking garages, maintenance buildings, kitchen restaurants, leisure facilities, music and drama studios, laboratories, reception areas, retail stores, manufacturing plants, distribution centers and other areas that cannot tolerate long shutdowns or interrupted production, or have environmental concerns about conventional concrete floor coatings. Visit the new www.rapidshield.com to see all that this instant cure, UV coating has to offer.

 

BALTIMORE, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The US Green Building Council, Maryland Chapter (USGBC Maryland) is pleased to announce a call for nominations for the 5th Annual Awards Celebration, which will be presented at the Athenaeum at Goucher College on Thursday, January 28, 2010.

The USGBC Maryland Annual Awards honor green building projects, professionals and companies in the state of Maryland. Award categories include: Green Commercial Interior; Green Core & Shell; Green Existing Buildings Operation and Maintenance; Green New Construction / Major Renovation; Green New Construction; Green Home; Member of the Year; Member Firm of the Year; Young Professional Project; and Special Accomplishment.

Now in its 5th year, the awards have quickly become the standard by which accomplishment in the green building industry in Maryland is recognized. According to Awards Committee Chair, Prescott Gaylord, LEED AP, "The green building awards are going to showcase the best and brightest green building projects in Maryland." Gaylord, USGBC Maryland Board Member and President of Baltimore Green Construction also notes that, "Maryland has some of the top green designers and builders in the world. These awards will showcase projects that are the future of design and construction -- they are what all buildings should strive to be."

The deadline for nominations is Friday, December 11, 2009. For full details and a nomination form please visit www.usgbcmaryland.com or email awardsnominations@usgbcmaryland.org.

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (Dec. 2, 2009) – Whirlpool Corporation was recently recognized with the “Vendor of the Year” award from the Bath & Kitchen Buying Group (BKBG) at its annual Fall Conference in Dallas, Texas.

“This award recognizes Whirlpool Corporation for a job well done,” said Eddie Schukar, vice president of vendor relations. “The company brings a level of quality and professionalism that we are proud to be associated with at BKBG. All brands under the Whirlpool Corporation umbrella are meaningful to our group and are well received by our member showroom designers.”

The annual award is judged on a number of criteria, including quality and value of the product, quality of customer service, quality of representation in the field, overall perception of the relationship between the vendor and the group, as well as the relationship between the vendor and the individual showrooms it supports.

“We gladly accept this award as a tangible sign of our dedication to BKBG and their quality designer showrooms,” said Scott Ramsay, national sales manager, contract indirect sales for Whirlpool Corporation. “We look forward to a continued successful relationship with BKBG.”

About BKBG

Founded in 1995, BKBG, the industry’s only member-owned buying group, has helped more than 500 dealer showrooms profit through group volume purchasing, the production and distribution of quality marketing materials, information sharing through networking at national and regional activities and the delivery of education.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The company’s The Inside Advantage(TM) Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Market Insight to support building professionals.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2008, 70,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-952-2537.

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Increasing interest in an advanced sludge drying system known as the THERMO-SYSTEM® Active Solar Sludge Dryer recently evolved into a multi-country journey for a noted group of engineering leaders and industry experts. Under the leadership of Parkson specialists, the group was able to tour both the largest THERMO-SYSTEM installation in the world as well as the THERMO-SYSTEM engineering center in Germany.

The purpose of the trip was to learn more about the THERMO-SYSTEM technology and see it in operation at various sized installations. The first stop on the journey was Palma de Mallorca, on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, which is just off the coast of Spain. Palma, due to its high level of tourism, has a population equivalency of approximately 500,000 residents and is home to the world’s largest solar sludge dryer which happens to be a THERMO-SYSTEM Active Solar Sludge Dryer.

In Palma, the group experienced the full capabilities of the THERMO-SYSTEM, including the innovative use of a unique and fully automatic robotic machine known as the Electric Mole®. The Electric Mole greatly optimizes the efficiency of the solar drying process by completely mixing and aerating the sludge inside the drying chamber at different intervals depending on the dry solids concentration of the sludge. The system is able to achieve over 80% dry solids and the elimination of virtually all pathogens using solar energy from the sun to provide nearly all the energy needed for drying.

From Palma, the group traveled to Stuttgart, Germany for in depth technical training on the operation and wide ranging capabilities of the system. From an operations perspective, the group was trained on how the control system utilizes a complex and proprietary software program to automatically control all aspects of drying and therefore requires very little operator input or attention. The group also used the time to learn about the wide range of capabilities of the system by reviewing case studies on many of the 100+ installations throughout Europe.

Included in the group were engineers from some of North America’s top consulting engineering firms as well as representatives from the petroleum and cement industries. Some of these engineers and industry leaders are already specifying the THERMO-SYSTEM technology, while others were interested in expanding their understanding of the technology’s possibilities. The representatives from the water and wastewater community were impressed with the high level of sustainability that this technology can bring to their projects. The cement industry representatives are evaluating the potential to economically turn wastewater sludge into a fuel for their cement kilns.

THERMO-SYSTEM technology has been used in water and wastewater treatment plants ranging in size from 0.2 MGD to 40 MGD. The system’s sustainable; CO2-neutral drying process is highly automated and requires minimal operator attention and control. The end product is odorless, biologically stable and virtually pathogen free which maximizes disposal options.

“In our focus on the process needs of the world’s water and wastewater treatment facilities, we consider it our duty to expose industry leaders to the technologies that we at Parkson can provide to increase sustainability, reduce energy costs and improve the world’s environment in general,” explained Mike Miller, Vice President of the North American Municipal Business Unit of Parkson Corporation. “That is why we have brought the THERMO-SYSTEM technology to America and why we have taken many of America’s engineering leaders and industry experts half-way around the world to explore the possibilities of making major improvements in sludge drying.”

About Parkson Corporation:

With 25,000 global installations, 50 years of experience, and a collective 1,600 years of employee water experience, Parkson Corporation is a leading provider of advanced solutions in water recycling and treatment and is committed to providing clean water for the world. Parkson treats over 7 trillion gallons of water per day. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, with offices in Chicago, Montreal, Dubai, Pune and partners in Latin America and China, Parkson is an Axel Johnson Inc. company. To learn more, visit www.parkson.com.

 

Autodesk Seek Web Service Now Integrated with Autodesk Web Applications to Help Building Product Manufacturers Connect with Designers and Consumers


LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), a leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, announced that it is expanding the Autodesk Seek web service to include additional targeted marketing channels for building product manufacturers (BPMs) that will help them reach and engage commercial and residential design professionals as well as homeowners. Autodesk is connecting Autodesk Seek to two Autodesk technology previews, Project Dragonfly, a home design application, and Project Showroom, an interactive web service that enables users to mix and match products in lifelike room settings.

“Through technology and economic shifts, the building industry is in the midst of a rapid evolution that is requiring changes from building product manufactures to reach their customers,” said Jeff Wright, senior director, Autodesk Content Network. “Overall marketing budgets are down, yet designers are demanding richer information packaged for their specific needs from manufacturers. Having recognized this need, Autodesk is expanding the Seek web service to offer building product marketers a scalable, high-impact channel to connect with their target customers and measure their engagement.”

Autodesk Seek is a web service that provides building designers with branded and generic building product models and associated design content via a web browser or directly from AutoCAD and Revit-based software applications. Designers can use Seek to quickly search and embed building products – including 3D models, 2D drawings and performance data – in their projects, which can greatly facilitate the building information modeling (BIM) process. First launched in 2008, Autodesk Seek has grown to encompass more than 36,000 products from nearly 1,200 manufacturers.

 

SINGAPORE, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The rising environmental consciousness of consumers in Asia Pacific has placed the Green Buildings market on the threshold of significant growth. In markets where awareness of the long-term benefits of Green Buildings is markedly low, governments' and Green Building councils' regulations, incentives, and certification systems are proving invaluable.

This awareness issue, compounded by the high upfront costs of the buildings and early market development stage in some countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, makes it imperative for builders to depend on regulatory support and Green Building Certification programs.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.buildingtechnologies.frost.com/), Green Buildings - A Strategic Analysis of the Asia Pacific Markets, finds that the market accounts for less than 6 percent of the total building markets in 2009 and estimates this to reach 17 percent by 2015. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the potential of Green Buildings markets across various sectors such as commercial, residential and education.

The councils are playing a pivotal role in increasing the awareness and knowledge about the advantages of Green Buildings among various stakeholders. Already, market stakeholders in Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong are well educated about the merits of Green Buildings. New government initiatives such as the Neutral Carbon Emission 2030 strategies will further promote the market.

These marketing efforts are not a recent development. Green Buildings have been promoted since 2000 but the market has still not realized its potential and this offers substantial scope for growth. Nearly 14 percent of the new buildings in developed countries such as Australia and Singapore are Green, and the rest of the countries in the region are expected to follow suit. In fact, close to 30 percent of the new buildings in the Asia Pacific are expected to be Green by 2015.

Builders will also be hoping to benefit from corporate social responsibility as well as Green Building recognitions, as Green brands have better marketability. Although builders win considerable orders from government and non-government projects, most of their business is expected to come from premium customers. Interestingly, the next wave of growth will be seen in buildings that target middle-class consumers.

If you are interested in more information about this study, please, then send an e-mail to Donna Jeremiah, Corporate Communications, at djeremiah@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country.

 

Austinites launch eco-friendly solution for countertops

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Austin's Custom Tops is Austin's eco-friendly solution to countertops. Austin natives and co-owners, Eric Riley and Shaun Hrncir, founded their company, amidst a waning economy, in an effort to help homeowners and builders reduce costs, while reducing their impact on the environment. With only a small number of other companies offering green products in Texas, Austin's Custom Tops have proven to be a pioneer in the industry with their new product, ECO(TM) by Cosentino.

ECO(TM) by Cosentino countertop is a sturdy and tenacious surface made of 75 percent recycled content consisting of post-industrial or post-consumer materials and is adhered by an environmentally friendly resin which comes in part from corn oil. This non-porous countertop comes with a warranty unlike other "green" countertops. One of the biggest positive feedbacks that we are getting from our customers is that they can gain points toward LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building which will save them money. There are other eco-friendly surfacing materials in the market today, but no other reutilizes materials that have reached the end of their life cycle, thus saving on the creation and consumption of natural resources.

Spurred by their love of nature and the outdoors, Riley and Hrncir have been active in the environmental community, participating in groups such as the Sierra Club and the American Consumer Council. In an effort to preserve their beliefs when opening their business, Riley said they researched many variations of eco-friendly countertop options. "We wanted one that not only had a high percentage of recycled material, but also one that lived up to our standards for quality."

Austin's Custom Tops is a full service countertop company specializing in residential and commercial installation, with a portfolio ranging from a downtown loft to Army Barracks. ECO(TM) by Cosentino is composed of 75% post-industrial and post-consumer recycled raw material, including: mirrors salvaged from houses, building and factories; glass from windows and bottles; porcelain from china, tiles, sinks, toilets and decorative elements; industrial furnace residuals from factories in the form of crystallized ashes; stone scrap from mountains, quarries, manufacturing, and fabrication; and is bonded together with an eco-friendly resin made in part by corn oil.

 

Chain-of-Custody Certificates from Forest Stewardship Council Can Help RedBuilt Customers Earn LEED Green Building Certification

BOISE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--RedBuilt™ today announced the Forest Stewardship Council has awarded chain-of-custody certificates for engineered wood products the company manufactures at its plants in Chino, Calif., and Stayton, Ore. RedBuilt FSC-certified products now include their open-web truss line (Red-L™, Red-W™, Red-S™, Red-M™, and Red-H™), as well as Red-I™ joists, RedLam™ Laminated Veneer Lumber and sourced glulam beams. In addition to these certifications, RedBuilt expects to extend their chain-of-custody to their Delaware, Ohio plant in January. FSC’s accredited third-party certifiers evaluate forest management activities and track forest products.

The company has a strong history of efficient wood fiber utilization and responsible fiber-sourcing practices, and is proud to add RedBuilt FSC-certified products as an option to the construction industry.

According to Jeff Jack, RedBuilt’s Manufacturing Technical Director, FSC certified products can help the company’s customers earn LEED green building certification. “This certification removes any barriers to specifying and purchasing RedBuilt products when you’re seeking green certification, whether that be LEED or other,” Jack says.

LEED, an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a rating system the U.S. Green Building Council employs for evaluating a structure’s resource efficiency. It is becoming a requirement for many public works projects, and a growing number of architects, developers, engineers, specifiers, and others are adopting the organization’s sustainable building and development practices.

Jack says incorporating FSC-certified building materials like RedBuilt’s engineered wood products and open-web trusses can earn points toward LEED certification. RedBuilt products can contribute to the following LEED points: MR4.1-2, MR5.1-2, MR7, and EQ4.4, and they support seven different categories of the Green Globes building rating system.

In addition, Jack points out RedBuilt products contain no urea formaldehyde. He also says the steel RedBuilt employs as web material in its open-web trusses and joist hangers include recycled content.

RedBuilt — formerly the Commercial division of Trus Joist® — has been recognized as a world leader in developing wood-based structural solutions since 1960. Acquired in August by Atlas Holdings LLC in partnership with a group of former leaders of Trus Joist Corp., RedBuilt offers the industry’s most innovative engineered wood products and building systems for commercial, industrial, and multifamily applications. RedBuilt’s offerings include composite wood-and-steel open-web trusses, engineered wood I-joists, engineered lumber like LVL, and complementary components, product engineering, and onsite technical support, as well as a range of concrete-forming and scaffold-plank solutions.

 

World Design Capital 2012 Helsinki embeds design in life

HELSINKI, Finland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Helsinki will be the World Design Capital of 2012. The designation was announced by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) at the Icsid World Design Congress 2009 in Singapore on November 25, 2009.

“This is a magnificent achievement and an important recognition for Helsinki, the collaborating cities of Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen and Lahti, and all the participating organizations and individuals. We have received a unique opportunity and will be taking every advantage of it,” says Helsinki Mayor Jussi Pajunen, accepting the World Design Capital 2012 designation at the Icsid World Design Congress.

Altogether 46 cities from 27 countries applied for the designation. An international jury first shortlisted Helsinki and Eindhoven of the Netherlands before awarding the designation to Helsinki.

The title of Helsinki’s bid for the designation was Open Helsinki – Embedding Design in Life. The concept expressed by the title will form the basis of Helsinki’s ambitious program for the design year 2012.

“We will invite all citizens, enterprises and organizations, as well as visiting design professionals and enthusiasts, to participate in the preparations and the events of 2012,” Mayor Pajunen says. “This is a major challenge for us to use design in Helsinki and in the other participating cities to develop our cities from the social, economic and cultural perspectives, according to the World Design Capital project’s vision.”

Pointing out that design should be seen from a broad perspective, he says, “Our goal is to build a better city and to improve our quality of life.”

Helsinki will be the third World Design Capital, following Turin (Torino, 2008) and Seoul (2010). The biennial designation is given to one city at a time.

 

STOCKHOLM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

Skanska (STO:SKAB) is establishing a new global unit charged with supporting the Group’s worldwide operations in the rapid dispersal and commercialization of technology, solutions and business models for green construction.

The venture is an extension of Skanska’s intensive work in recent years to map and develop various global solutions, methods and pilot projects to create buildings that are energy-efficient and have low environmental impact.

The new unit for green business will be called Skanska Green Business and will be headed from Stockholm but will have employees throughout Skanska’s operations in Europe and the United States. Cecilia Fasth will head the new unit as GBO at Skanska and will report to Skanska’s President and CEO Johan Karlström.

“Increasing the pace of, spreading and commercializing green construction globally is currently the highest priority at Skanska. The company realizes that green construction is becoming a mature product. The technology and competence required to construct energy-efficient and environmentally correct projects on a large scale is now available and it also makes for economically viable business. Accordingly, now is the time to act,” says Johan Karlström, President and CEO of Skanska.

Buildings currently account for 40 percent of global carbon emissions during their lifetime, which is more than, for example, the automotive industry where there now is a rapid progression toward more fuel-efficient cars. Skanska wants to lead a corresponding development in the construction sector.

Skanska Green Business will work to enhance the green offering for Skanska’s customers. This may include solutions and agreements regarding continuous upgrades to ensure that a property remains as energy efficient as possible, even years after it was constructed or renovated.

Cecilia Fasth has worked at Skanska since 1996 and held a number of positions in commercial property development. She has been President of Skanska Fastigheter Gothenburg since 2006.

 

SAN FRANCISCO, November 24/PRNewswire/ -- Sivan Design, a leading provider of civil engineering software solutions, today announces version 2.0 release of its powerful 3D simulation software Civil Simulate, supporting Civil 3D 2010 and Windows 7 (32/64 Bit).

Civil Simulate is an interactive 3D visualization and simulation tool for AutoCAD(R) Civil 3D(R) and CivilCAD offering a unique approach to overcoming the challenge of turning civil engineering design into highly sophisticated 3D simulation.

From loading orthophoto raster images onto the simulation to interactive drive-through simulation from the driver's point-of-view, Civil Simulate does it all with ease and an accuracy of +/- 0.8 inch to the CAD drawing.

The current release incorporates two new innovative features including automatic creation of intersections and bridges and enhanced support for large scale projects. The software user interface incorporates the same Ribbon style from Civil 3D 2010 and is simple and intuitive - as expected from Sivan Design's products.

Sivan Design's CEO, Shlomi Sivan, said: "It is a great pleasure for us to introduce the current release of Civil Simulate, which represents the future in civil engineering design processes by offering on-the-spot evaluation in a realistic 3D environment of any change made to the design, even while still in preliminary stages."

Visitors of the annual Autodesk University (AU) 2009 user conference and exhibition in Las Vegas (Dec. 1-3, 2009) are invited to visit Sivan Design's booth #310 for ongoing live demonstrations of Civil Simulate's capabilities.

 

HUDSON, Colo., Nov. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Magnum D'Or Resources, Inc. (OTC:MDOR) (BULLETIN BOARD: MDOR) , releases the Fox Business Network initial airing dates for the Environmental Clean Technology TV Series. This segment includes footage of Magnum's Magog (Quebec) Facility, Magnum's Hudson, Colorado Facility as well as exclusive footage of Ex-White House Chairman of climate change, Roger Ballentine with Magnum's CEO, Joseph Glusic.

Magnum's 20min+ Environmental Clean Technology TV Series will also air on CNBC, Hong Kong's Asia TV, Canada's DirecTV Dish and Other Leading Networks. The series will also be included in the curriculum of 90+ prestigious educational universities. Magnum will soon announce these additional networks airing dates & times as soon as they are confirmed.

Joseph Glusic, CEO of Magnum stated, "Our media campaign is just beginning and we are nearing completion of our other TV segment being produced by 'Our Planet'. This segment should follow on the heels of the '21st Century' Environmental Clean Technology Series airings and compliment the print articles that should be circulating soon."

Magnum Series: The following Air Time's and Date's listed below for Fox Business Network are on Saturday December 12, 2009:

Rank State Station Time 1 NEW YORK NY FOX BUSINESS NETWORK 5:00pm ET 2 LOS ANGELES CA FOX BUSINESS NETWORK 2:00pm PT 3 CHICAGO IL FOX BUSINESS NETWORK 4:00PM CT 4 PHILADELPHIA PA FOX BUSINESS NETWORK 5:00pm ET 5 SAN FRANCISCO-

OAK-SAN JOSE CA FOX BUSINESS NETWORK 2:00pm PT 6 BOSTON (MANCHESTER) MA FOX BUSINESS NETWORK 5:00pm ET 7 DALLAS-FT. WORTH TX FOX BUSINESS NETWORK 4:00PM CT 8 WASHINGTON, DC.

 

Bike Hook Recognized For Its Initiative, Creativity, Invention, Re-Invention and Eco-Innovation

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Gladiator® GarageWorks, the leader in garage organization, has received a 2009 Innovation Award from HANDY Magazine for its Gladiator Claw(TM) Advanced Bike Storage device. The device allows consumers to hang their bicycle on the wall or ceiling by either tire with one horizontal motion. It eliminates the painstaking effort of lifting the entire bicycle's weight onto a cumbersome J-hook.

Now in its ninth year, HANDY Magazine's Innovation Award program is known for honoring products that showcase initiative, creativity, invention, reinvention and eco-innovation. Award winners were selected by the editorial staff of the publication and its readership, the majority of whom are members of the Handyman Club of America.

"The Gladiator Claw(TM) Advanced Bike Storage device exemplifies the type of innovative products that our editorial staff and readers appreciate because it can really make a difference for homeowners," said Larry Okrend, editor in chief and executive director of HANDY Magazine.

The Gladiator Claw(TM) Advanced Bike Storage device helps homeowners by freeing up valuable floor space in the garage and by keeping the bicycle out of the way so it is less likely to incur damage. The device's closed loop design enables users to quickly hang or release a bicycle with one intuitive motion. Users push up on the central plunger to close the arms around the rear tire, and push up again to open the arms. Its push-lock mechanism features soft-touch grips to protect bike rims.

The Gladiator Claw(TM) Advanced Bike Storage device, as well as the other 2009 Innovation Award recipients, will be featured in the December 2009/January 2010 issue.

 

On Monday, November 30, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Congressman Steny Hoyer, representatives of American Community Properties Trust (ACPT) and other partners will announce the creation of a "Green City" in St. Charles County, Maryland. Located only 22 miles from the White House, it will be an international model of how to design and build an economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable community. In addition, thousands of existing homes will be retrofitted to take advantage of current and future green technologies and services. When complete, the community will include nearly 25,000 homes and nine million square feet of industrial, commercial and retail space.

The news conference giving details about the transformation of St. Charles, Maryland into a Green City will take place at noon on Nov. 30 at 10440 O'Donnell Place in St. Charles, Maryland, 20603. The office building is the future corporate home of ACPT, and is located just off of Smallwood Drive West, next to Boston's Restaurant.

Contacts:
Tim Ayers, +1-202-422-5048, tim@keenanpr.com
Heathere Evans-Keenan, +1-703 875-8969, heathere@keenanpr.com

 

SOUDERTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Is your home plagued by one of the peskiest of pests – the stinkbug? If so, local pest control provider Moyer Indoor|Outdoor® can help. The days are getting cooler and the brunt of winter is just around the corner. This is the time when adult stinkbugs (technically known as the brown marmorated stinkbug) search refuge in homes to find a cozy place to overwinter. And as temperatures drop, these slow-moving bugs seek warmer temperatures, often moving down from attics and into our living areas.

Fortunately, Moyer Indoor|Outdoor® has discovered an innovative method of capturing stinkbugs in attics before they begin creeping downstairs on walls, around windows, tucked among folds in curtains or sitting on bed pillows. Within the past two years, Moyer has leased and installed over 50 UV light traps that measure 30” long and 12” high in homeowners’ attics and crawl spaces. Flying insects like stinkbugs actively search out UV rays and are drawn to the light, mistaking it for the sun’s rays. Once drawn, the pests stick to the light and are trapped.

Bob Williamson, Moyer’s general manager, advises, “It’s critical to start treatments early in the season. We offer an exterior treatment that can be applied to repel stinkbugs from entering your house before cold weather hits, and our UV light traps help catch any that are able to find a way into your home.”

Another tip is to winterize your home as best as possible. Seal cracks around windows and doors, and caulk around areas where pipes come into the home. Since it’s impossible to completely seal up a house, these preventative measures may not be effective enough. This is when a UV light trap is often your best defense against stinkbugs.

 

NEW YORK, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chelsea Improvement Company, created by Biederman Redevelopment Ventures, has received has received a Silver Prize at The Spark 2009 Design & Architecture Awards for its Southwest Chelsea Streetscape Collection.

The Southwest Chelsea Streetscape Collection award submission represented the overall redevelopment of the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan, including improvements in signage, lamps, flowerbeds, tree plantings, lighting, signage and liter receptacles. Ignacio Ciocchini, Director of Design for Chelsea Improvement Company, conceived the Streetscape Collection.

Biederman Redevelopment Ventures (BRV), which founded the Chelsea Improvement Company in 2007 to oversee the redevelopment of that district, works with New York and cities around the country to consult and bring improvements to their parks and downtown areas.

"We're thrilled and delighted that Spark has presented us this award," said Dan Biederman, President of Biederman Redevelopment Ventures Corp. and the Chelsea Improvement Company. "The Southwest Chelsea Streetscape Collection shows how a rundown city district can be transformed into a beautiful area where people move to work and live."

The Spark 2009 Design & Architecture Awards are an exciting new competition created to promote great design and designers and encourage people to explore their creativity. Sponsors include: Hewlett-Packard, Autodesk, Guangzhou Design Week, Global Design Network, Hong Kong Designers Association and the British Design Innovation Organization.

More than 370 contenders applied to Spark, the unique awards and qualification process that seeks out the best in dazzling design. The judges selected 93 winning designs in one of four categories -- bronze, silver, gold or the ultimate Spark!

Winners of the 2009 Spark Design and Architecture Awards are showcased at the Autodesk Gallery at One Market in San Francisco.

 

TORONTO, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Restoration Environmental Contractors-REC Demolition announced their 20th anniversary of being GREEN. Established in 1989, the company has completed over 9,000 environmental restoration and demolition projects throughout Canada specializing in demolition, asbestos removal, lead abatement and industrial plant cleaning, plant decommissioning & closures, site remediation, disaster recovery and emergency response in the industrial, commercial, governmental and institutional sectors.

Restoration Environmental REC Demolition has safely completed the asbestos removal, remediation and demolition of the seven storey Historic Guild Inn project in Toronto, by using their Caterpillar Demolition Excavator fleet with the addition of a new CAT 330D UHD - Ultra High Reach Demolition Excavator and new CAT shear. REC has completed two "GREEN LEED" projects. REC exceeded 94.7%, LEED certification at the Regent Park, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation TCHC and Toronto Revitalization environmental remediation and demolition project, and achieved over 75% LEED certification at the Queen's University, Jock Harty Demolition PCL Constructors project in Kingston, Ontario.

Restoration Environmental prides themselves on their outstanding safety record, their commitment to environmental stewardship, the high level of productivity of their skilled unionized workforce and by enforcing the Three R's - Reduce, Re-use and Recycle, the company's "Green Philosophy" and market strategy.

Restoration Environmental's senior project management and site supervisory team has accumulated more than one million hours of on-site contracting experience, whether they are small or large projects, from emergency service response calls, or maintenance calls, or multi-million dollar demolition, disaster recovery, and environmental remediation projects.

REC believes the process should be simple, while at the same time creating options for their clients that offer sound environmental solutions in plant decommissioning, site decontamination, soil remediation and demolition.

The company's commitment to meet the needs of their clients with experienced, highly skilled unionized workers, well-planned project planning and an assurance to quality means that Restoration Environmental can help with a disaster recovery emergency response readiness plan, plant decommissioning or closure, an asbestos removal, an environmental remediation, demolition or historic restoration project.

Restoration Environmental Contractors - REC Demolition - REC Disaster Recovery services include:
- Environmental Abatement and Soil Remediation Contractors
- Demolition; Deconstruction, Asset Recovery, Equipment Dismantling
- Hazardous Materials Removal; asbestos removal, Mold, PCBs, Lead.
- Plant Closures: Industrial Plant Decommissioning, Soil & Site
Remediation
- Removal and Interior Plant Cleaning of Heavy Metals
- Disaster Recovery; Planning Cost saving Service Contracts
- Fire, Sewage Backup, Flood, Water, Wind Damage Restoration
- Emergency Response: bonded secure, CPIC Police Cleared Staff.


Restoration Environmental REC Demolition REC Disaster Recovery is a turnkey, full-service, emergency response contractor and specialty contractor, a recognized leader in the environmental, demolition, restoration and construction industry. Their exceptional reputation, aggressive health & safety program and quality client services make them one of Canada's leading specialty contractors.

For more information on all REC's services, please visit our Websites: www.recdemolition.com, www.environmentalhazards.com, www.recdisaster.com or www.soilremediation.com.

 

LONGMONT, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Construction Innovation Forum, an international organization that recognizes construction innovation, presented Flatiron with the prestigious NOVA Award for a new pile driving launching gantry method that reduces the environmental impacts of bridge construction.

Flatiron successfully used the method at the Washington Bypass project in North Carolina to construct a 3-mile-long precast concrete bridge over protected wetlands and the Tar River. The patented process consists of two self-contained gantries capable of performing all the tasks associated with the bridge construction, including precast pile driving, girder erection, and bent cap construction. It is the world’s first application of the pile driving operation from an erection gantry. The method not only saves time and cost, it also eliminates the need for large cranes and temporary access trestles, significantly reducing environmental disturbances to the fragile wetlands below.

“I am honored to receive this award and am thankful that Flatiron supports new ideas that ultimately improve the quality of construction,” said Flatiron’s senior vice president of engineering, Elie Homsi, who developed the technique and helped see it through to successful employment in the field. He accepted the award during a banquet on November 17 that was held in conjunction with the National Conference of the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) in Orlando, Fla.

The Construction Innovation Forum (CIF) is an international, non-profit organization formed in 1987 to recognize and encourage innovation that improves the quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness of construction.

The Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) exists to create a competitive advantage for construction users. CURT accomplishes this by providing aggressive leadership on those business issues that promote excellence in the creation of capital assets.

Flatiron, with a construction volume of $1.04 billion in 2008, is one of the leading providers of transportation construction and civil engineering in North America. Its core competencies include major bridge, highway, and rail projects. Flatiron also operates as a contractor in public-private partnership projects. Founded in 1947, the firm is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF, one of the world's leading international construction service providers. Further information is available at www.flatironcorp.com.

HOCHTIEF is one of the leading international providers of construction-related services. With more than 64,000 employees and a sales volume of EUR 18,70 Mrd. Euro billion in FY 2008, the company is represented in all the world‘s major markets. The Group's service offering in the fields of development, construction, services, concessions and operation covers the entire life cycle of infrastructure projects, real estate and facilities. In the USA, the biggest construction market in the world, HOCHTIEF is the No. 1 general builder via its subsidiary Turner and, with Group company Flatiron, ranks among the most important players in the field of transportation infrastructure construction. With its subsidiary Leighton (HOCHTIEF share around 55 percent), the group is market leader in Australia. Because of its engagement for sustainability, HOCHTIEF has been listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes since 2006. Further information is available at www.hochtief.com/press.

 

STODDARD, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When Kimberly and Joe Hageman decided to build a state-of-the-art LEED®-H certified green home on the Rhode Island coast, they researched both cutting-edge new technologies and various companies that had long been known for supplying green products.

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors of Stoddard, New Hampshire, and its 100% FSC Certified Antique Reclaimed Flooring quickly became part of the mix. Working closely with the owners, Carlisle found just the right old barn, which had been slated for demolition, carefully dismantled it and a created gorgeous wide plank milled barnwood from the re-milled timbers. It covers almost half of the home’s 4,400 square feet and qualified for full LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) H points.

“Carlisle became one of our favorite partners,” says Kimberly. “They really care about getting everything right and have a long history of green environmental practices.”

Carlisle President Don Carlisle adds, “All our floors are custom crafted one board at a time, utilizing either newly sawn wood harvested from sustainably managed forests or true antique timbers from structures that would otherwise be demolished. We’re the number one supplier of FSC Certified Antique Reclaimed Wood in North America, and opting to use this precious commodity reduces the overall embodied energy of a floor and puts less stress on our natural resources. Plus, you get a wonderful look and feel that resonates like no other floor.”

The home, which took well over a year to complete, isn’t merely a living residence. It is a showcase home offering a hands-on demonstration site where builders, architects, designers, schools, members of the media and the general public are invited to tour and learn about all the latest innovations in eco-friendly sustainable living.

Foremost among the home’s features is an energy control system that uses various sensors to constantly monitor energy usage and maximize efficiencies. A geothermal system will provide all the home’s heating and cooling, via a 1,000-foot well. Small wonder that the home has already received strong endorsements from the green press and trade publications that cater to the construction and design industries.

An open house for the public will be held Saturday, December 12 that will feature tours and demonstrations. For details, contact Ashley Daigneault at Ashley@castercomm.com.

 

HAMPSHIRE, IL– Construction products industry leader W. R. MEADOWS, INC. today announced the formation of a new subsidiary, Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc., to resume the manufacturing of Celotex® branded fiberboard products. The company made the announcement following its purchase of Knight-Celotex which filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in June of 2009.

According to W. R. MEADOWS’ management, Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc. is already preparing for the re-opening of the Celotex® plant in Danville, VA. Actual manufacturing operations are expected to begin in December. In addition, the re-opening of a second Celotex® plant in Lisbon Falls, ME is slated to coincide with growing market demand.

According to chairman, H.G. Meadows, "W. R. MEADOWS, INC. is pleased to be in a position to launch Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc. and re-open the Celotex® plant in Danville at a time when many businesses are struggling. As an 80-plus-year-old family-owned and operated company, we are equally pleased to welcome back many former plant employees. We know the quality and experience of the workforce will be an important contributing factor to Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc.’s overall success.”

Meadows is also quick to say that decades-old synergies between W. R. MEADOWS and Celotex® helped cement this new relationship. Both companies have long been associated with quality, consistency and innovation in building products: Celotex® was originally established in 1920, while W. R. MEADOWS, INC. was founded in 1926 and began doing business with Celotex® around 1930.

“The formation of Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc. is an extension of W. R. MEADOWS’ commitment to providing architects, engineers and contractors with the best quality products possible,” said Meadows. “Under the Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc. banner, Celotex® products such as Structodek® roofing insulation board, SoundStop® fiberboard panels, SturdyBrace® structural wall sheathing and VersaKor® all-purpose fiberboard will continue to offer building professionals the same uncompromising performance they have depended on in the past.”

ABOUT W. R. MEADOWS, INC.: Founded by W. R. "Bob" Meadows in 1926 in Elgin, Illinois, W. R. MEADOWS is a family-owned and operated company that has built a coveted reputation for product quality, company integrity and customer service among building professionals in both private and public construction markets. W. R. MEADOWS has multiple branch locations throughout North America and its products are available worldwide.

 

DUBLIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a move that strengthens New Home Green Materials and Learning Center’s market position, the California start-up has become a distributor for US-based PV Powered, an acknowledged innovation leader for grid-tied PV inverters in the residential, commercial and utility markets.

PV Powered residential inverters deliver maximum energy harvest with the highest reliability and industry-leading efficiency from PV systems. The simple modular design provides a scalable platform with fewer components, higher system uptime and field-proven dependability.

PV Powered has earned a reputation for superior support and offers online monitoring, providing secure, easy access to system performance and inverter status over the internet. This allows the system owner or installer to verify that maximum energy is being delivered, to review past performance data and provide service and support.

“PV Powered manufactures very high efficiency inverters. Plus they have built their reputation on products engineered to long outlast their warranty and their competition,” said Jason Hamilton, head of New Home’s Renewable Energy Division. “Like New Home, PV Powered is helping to move forward the new green collar economy. We are happy to have them as a partner.”

New Home will leverage its soon-to-launch platform of San Francisco Bay Area green home improvement superstores to make renewable energy systems and other green home innovations mainstream. New Home is emerging as a leading distributor of photovoltaic materials distribution with a unique partner approach for small to medium sized installers and contractors. With over 40 categories of green materials, New Home is the first one-stop shop for installers.

“Inverters have historically been a significant source of system downtime. PV Powered is committed to building the most reliable inverters in the industry. That’s why we chose PV Powered as one of New Home’s family of solar products,” added Hamilton.

For information on New Home's line of products, including PV Powered, call 925-828-8080 or email Jason Hamilton at jhamilton@newhomeinc.com.

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (Nov. 19, 2009) – Whirlpool Corporation has jumped on board of an exciting, new initiative for sustainable homebuilding, which aims to make eco-conscious, energy-efficient homes more affordable for the average homebuyer. The American Sustainability Initiative — or AmeriSus, for short — will launch in January with a goal of placing 12,000 affordable sustainable homes throughout 15 states over the next two years. And, each of these homes will feature energy-efficient Whirlpool brand appliances.

“We selected Whirlpool(R) brand appliances for our sustainable home designs because we know Whirlpool Corporation is very committed to producing high-quality, energy-efficient products.” said Charlie Kamps, managing director of AmeriSus. “They have an excellent reputation and years of global experience — more reasons we are happy to have them as a part of our team in this venture.”

Based in Philadelphia, AmeriSus is a consortium of design and development professionals focused on providing creative designs and materials for energy-efficient homes that are within the price range of the average American homebuyer. The idea is to reduce environmental impact, while offering homeowners more reasonable home prices and the lower utility bills of an energy-efficient home.

“We established AmeriSus two years ago to demonstrate that affordability, efficiency and sustainability are not mutually exclusive,” Kamps said. “For many households, the cost of home ownership has become a financial burden.”

AmeriSus has expanded on the “kit home” concept, popularized by Sears, Roebuck and Co. in the first half of the 20th Century, allowing such pre-construction activities as design, engineering, procurement and logistics to be optimized for builders. Everything from nuts and bolts to appliances and finishes are included as part of one complete building package available through AmeriSus’ proprietary Ready Build System(TM). An ever-growing line of architectural layouts is available to builders and homebuyers via the AmeriSus Web site, where selections and upgrades in such areas as appliances, flooring, fixtures and energy systems can be made. AmeriSus selected products, materials and services from more than 30 “Best-In-Class” companies across the globe, such as Whirlpool Corporation, IKEA, and FedEx, which epitomize sustainability in their products and daily operations.

“We are thrilled to partner with AmeriSus in this exciting new sustainable building venture. Whirlpool is a strong proponent of sustainable building, and this is a wonderful opportunity to make sustainably built homes available to a wider variety of people,” said Mitchell Isert, North Atlantic contract division director at Whirlpool Corporation.

When the selection process is complete, AmeriSus ships all of the design plans, building materials and finishes to the home site, saving several steps for builders. For more information on AmeriSus, go to amerisus.com.

About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The company’s The Inside Advantage(TM) Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Market Insight to support building professionals.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2008, 70,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-253-3977.

 

Super-insulating SeriousWindows Are Recognized for Innovation and Sustainability

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Serious Materials, a leading energy-saving building materials company in the U.S., received the 2009 Green Product Award, as part of Building Products Fall issue, for its super-insulating, high R-value SeriousWindows. Serious Materials’ SeriousWindows are the only windows out of 16 products to be honored with this award. According to the editors, the 2009 Green Product Awards represent those product introductions that excelled in three areas: sustainability, value to the contractor, and innovation.

Building Products Magazine is the premier information source for builders and remodelers searching for what's new in building materials and products. The 16 winners were judged on their green and sustainable attributes, including, but not limited to, energy efficiency, resource efficiency, and/or health and comfort. Each product also was evaluated on its innovation and overall value to residential construction professionals’ use of green building practices. The Green Product Awards were open to all categories of residential building products, materials, and technologies introduced between January 2008 and April 2009. The award winners represent the best new products that contribute to green-built homes and that bring the most value to builders, remodelers, or architects, or their clients.

“It’s a great honor to be the only windows manufacturer given this award and to have our super-insulating windows highlighted as one of just a handful of green products chosen by Building Products Magazine’s editors,” said Kevin Surace, CEO of Serious Materials. “They really understand how crucial windows are to the energy efficiency of homes. By installing SeriousWindows, you can not only cut up to 40 percent off your energy bills, but you benefit from greater visibility, daylight, and more comfort all year round.”

Super-insulating SeriousWindows offer full frame, high R-value of up to R-11. This performance is up to four times higher than major brands and current Energy Star requirements and can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 40% depending on climate zone. Available in a full line of fiberglass and vinyl frames, SeriousWindows offer UV protection of 99 percent, superior condensation control, year-round thermal efficiency and comfort, and maximize architectural freedom with complete range of styles, color and hardware options.

SeriousWindows are available in a full range of commercial and residential styles, including single-hung, double-hung, picture, gliders, casement, gliding doors, swing doors, and storefront systems. SeriousWindows may be ordered through authorized dealers across the U.S. or customers may call (800) 797-8159 for more information or go to www.SeriousWindows.com.

 

Environmentally-Friendly Surface Sets New Standard for Green Building Practices

NEW YORK, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- ECO(TM) by Cosentino, (www.ecobycosentino.com), a revolutionary new line of sustainable countertop and surfacing material composed of 75% recycled material, is proud to announce its sweeping win in multiple industry awards in innovation and sustainability. Selected by a distinguished panel of judges, editors, industry leaders, and consumers, ECO(TM) by Cosentino has won the 2009 Building Products Green Product Awards, Multi-Housing News Green Initiative Awards, Interiors & Sources Readers Choice Awards. Additionally, ECO(TM) by Cosentino was awarded the Innovative Product of the Year at the 2009 Stone Expo in Las Vegas and was won the Best Construction Product at 2009 Construmat, the leading international construction fair in Barcelona, Spain.

"We are thrilled by the industry's overwhelmingly positive response and are proud to deliver a categorically innovative and beautiful product," said Lorenzo Marquez, Vice President of Marketing of Cosentino North America. "These industry awards and recognition are an important indication that ECO(TM) by Cosentino is helping to fill a void in the market by providing a sustainable surfacing material that does not sacrifice design or performance."

Continuing to set an unprecedented standard for the green building and sustainable design industries, ECO(TM) by Cosentino was selected as a winner of the Green Product Awards by Building Products magazine. The winning products were selected based on their sustainable attributes including energy efficiency, resource efficiency, innovation, and their overall value to residential contractors employing green practices.

As the winners of Multi-Housing News' Green Initiative Awards, ECO(TM) by Cosentino was recognized as an environmentally-friendly countertop product. The award also recognizes the company's corporate green initiatives and commitment to the environment. Additionally, ECO(TM) by Cosentino was selected as the Readers' Choice for Surfacing Materials in an online survey performed by Interiors & Sources magazine. With thousands of unique votes cast, ECO(TM) by Cosentino was the favorite choice for consumer's who looked for a beautiful sustainable product that is durable, and has high stain, scratch and scorch performance.

ECO(TM) by Cosentino is composed of 75% post-industrial and post-consumer recycled raw material, including: mirrors salvaged from houses, building and factories; glass from windows and bottles; granulated glass from consumer recycling practices; porcelain from china, tiles, sinks, toilets and decorative elements; and industrial furnace residuals from factories in the form of crystallized ashes. By utilizing these recycled materials, Cosentino is "upcycling" products that have reached the end of their lifecycle - meaning that they cannot be incorporated in to any other industrial product and would otherwise collect in landfill sites.

Since its launch, ECO has achieved several industry certifications including Cradle-to-Cradle, GREENGUARD Children's & Schools, and NSF 51 Certification. Architects and building teams will gain points toward LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for a building project that utilizes ECO(TM) by Cosentino surfacing.

ECO(TM) by Cosentino is available at all Lowe's stores nationwide as well as specialty kitchen and bath distributors and showrooms across the country. ECO(TM) by Cosentino offers consumers a 10-year warranty. For more information, visit www.ecobycosentino.com.

 

First FSC-certified Laminate Flooring Manufacturer in North America

TEMPLE, Texas, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Wilsonart Flooring is the first laminate flooring manufacturer to earn Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain of custody certification, ensuring that products marked with the recognizable FSC "checkmark and tree" ecologo were sourced from responsibly managed forests. Through the use of materials from well-managed forests and recycled sources, Wilsonart offers High Pressure Laminate (HPL) Flooring manufactured in the USA that provides a responsible solution for green building projects.

Wilsonart enlisted Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) for certification services based on the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody standard (certification number SCS-COC-002415). FSC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests. "Achieving this standard for our HPL flooring is a major achievement, given its inherent thickness and the greater complexity of layers necessary to achieve our flooring's standards for durability, performance and longevity, while also meeting FSC chain of custody requirements," said Joe Branch, Manager of Technology of Wilsonart Flooring. "We are proud to be the HPL manufacturer that establishes this industry benchmark."

Wilsonart's high pressure laminate business lies mostly in the commercial sector and Wilsonart understands the importance of working with customers to achieve their necessary LEED qualification requirements. "This certification can contribute to our customers' LEED Certified projects under MR Credit 7: Certified Wood and MR 4: Recycled Content" said Rajesh Ramamurthy, Wilsonart's Director of Sustainability.

All Wilsonart Flooring is rated for commercial use and is suitable for corporate, healthcare, hospitality, retail, education and multi-family housing segments. "FSC certification allows Wilsonart® Flooring to compete with other FSC products such as wood/veneer and solid wood species. The enhanced performance characteristics of the HPL surface: durability, design flexibility and longevity are icing on the cake," said Ramamurthy. For more information on Wilsonart's FSC solutions, contact your local Wilsonart representative.

WILSONART FLOORING AT GREENBUILD EXPO 09 - FSC School

Wilsonart Flooring was part of the "FSC School" at this year's Greenbuild Expo (Nov. 11 - 13) in Phoenix, Ariz. The purpose of the exhibit was to inspire architects, interior designers, developers and other design/construction professionals and demonstrate the importance of wood products that originate in forests where management practices are environmentally sound, socially respectful and economically viable. Given the strong growth in specifications for FSC-certified wood products especially within the education sector, Wilsonart Flooring's third-party certification provides a solution for customers at a time when the demand is growing for these products.

Wilsonart certification is posted on www.fsc.org and www.scscertified.com. For more information, call the Wilsonart Customer Service Hotline at 800-433-3222. Customers can also visit http://sustain.wilsonart.com/.

Wilsonart International was founded in 1956 and has since grown to become the leading producer of High Pressure Decorative Laminate in North America. The company has achieved success through a combination of outstanding service, high-quality products and a focus on continuously redefining the laminate surface through improved performance and aesthetics. Wilsonart Flooring was introduced in 1995 and has continuously earned top honors for quality by floor covering retailers. All Wilsonart Flooring products are manufactured in the USA in Temple, Texas.

Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing and standards development for more than 25 years. In addition to certification for the Forest Stewardship Council's Forest Management and Chain of Custody programs, SCS programs recognize accomplishments in agricultural production, food processing and handling, fisheries, flowers and plants, energy, green building, consumer and business products, and corporate social responsibility. www.SCScertified.com/forestry.

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (Nov. 18, 2009) – Whirlpool Corporation, the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, today announced the release of the company’s first global, comprehensive sustainability report. The report provides an overview of the company’s efforts to make a sustainable difference in the world.

The company also produces an annual report and, for the first time, is making a detailed Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) report publicly available, in addition to other required regulatory filings. These reports reflect the company’s commitment to openly communicating with its stakeholders about its economic, social and environmental performance.

Whirlpool Corporation is an industry leader in developing high-performance appliances that help conserve the earth's resources and allow homeowners to use resources more efficiently. The company continually strives to understand and manage the environmental effects of its business, not only by creating new and innovative products that consume less energy and water, but also by improving processes and using materials that minimize the impact on the planet.

Whirlpool Corporation has a long-term commitment to environmental protection and natural resource efficiency, which began 40 years ago with the creation of a corporate office for environmental control. In 2003, Whirlpool became the world's first appliance manufacturer to announce a global greenhouse gas reduction target. Recently, the company announced that by 2015, it will make all the electronically controlled appliances it produces – everywhere in the world – capable of receiving and responding to signals from smart grids.

Whirlpool Corporation has received global recognition for its social and environmental performance. The company was recently named one of the “Greenest Big Companies in America” by Newsweek magazine and is included in the FTSE4Good and the KLD Domini 400 Social and Global Sustainability Indexes. Whirlpool also was named one of FORTUNE’s “Most Admired Companies,” one of the “100 Best Corporate Citizens” by Chief Responsibility Officer magazine, one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere magazine and one of the “Top 50 Most Respected U.S. Companies” by the Reputation Institute.

Detailed information about the company’s financial performance is available in its 2008 annual report and its 10-K filing on the corporate Web site at http://investors.whirlpoolcorp..com. More information on Whirlpool Corporation’s sustainability performance can be found in the Whirlpool Sustainability Report and companion GRI Matrix, available at www.whirlpoolcorp.com/responsibility.

About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The company’s The Inside Advantage(TM) Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Market Insight to support building professionals.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2008, 70,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit www.insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-253-3977.

 

DUBLIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Home Green Materials and Learning Center is proud to announce its new collaborative relationship with ET Solar Group Corp ("ET Solar"), one of the top providers of photovoltaic systems in the world today.

New Home, a soon-to-launch California-based chain of green home improvement superstores, is emerging as a leader in photovoltaic materials distribution with a unique partner approach for small to medium sized installers and contractors. With 39 categories of green materials, it offers one-stop shopping for installers.

"I'm excited about the new relationship between New Home and ET Solar," said New Home CEO and founder Rich Rifkin. "From what I've seen, ET is a solid company with a high quality product which our customers demand as a defense against some of the well-known lower performing products on the market."

ET Solar is a Nanjing-based vertical integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic ("PV") products (ingot, wafer, modules and tracking systems) and solar power solutions provider. ET Solar's projects range across the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. ET's high-power solar panels of 275 to 280 watts makes them a more economically viable choice for commercial installation because they are more cost-effective; requiring less labor and supplies. Their black frame modules can meet aesthetic requirements for residential and smaller commercial applications.

"New Home offers a very unique business model at the right moment in time. This exciting new retail concept will really give consumers a chance to do their share to help reduce their climate impact. We are very happy to be part of this effort as a supplier," said ET Vice President Linhui Sui PhD.

New Home is pleased to offer ET's excellent panels and tracking systems as one of our inaugural product lines in the launch of our renewable energy division.

 

Story posted: November 10, 2009 - 2:24 pm EDT

New York—McGraw-Hill Cos. said Monday that Norbert Young, who was president of McGraw-Hill Construction, has left the company.

In a statement, the company said, “Glenn Goldberg, president of McGraw-Hill Information & Media, has direct operating responsibility for McGraw-Hill Construction and will be assisted in day-to-day operations by Robert Stuono, senior vice president and general manager of McGraw-Hill Construction.”

When asked if Young’s departure was prompted by a lawsuit filed by competitor Reed Construction Data in October that alleged McGraw-Hill Construction had engaged in corporate espionage, a company spokesperson declined to comment beyond asserting: “We take the allegations seriously. We’re continuing to conduct an investigation, and we plan to vigorously defend ourselves against the lawsuit."

 

MIDLAND, Mich., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Dow Chemical Company's (NYSE:DOW) DOW(TM) POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle, the revolutionary flexible photovoltaic solar cell packaged in the form of a roofing shingle that can be easily integrated with standard asphalt shingle materials, has been named one of "The 50 Best Inventions of 2009" by TIME magazine.

"The introduction of the DOW(TM) POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle exemplifies Dow's commitment to delivering innovative solutions to the world's most critical challenges," said Jane Palmieri, Managing Director of Dow Solar Solutions. "This groundbreaking technology will make affordable renewable energy a reality now and for future generations. Dow is proud to be recognized by TIME magazine - a strong testimonial to the power of our chemistry and science to deliver sustainable solutions."

The DOW(TM) POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle integrates low-cost, thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells into a proprietary roofing shingle design, which represents a multi-functional solar energy generating roofing product. The innovative product design reduces installation costs because conventional roofing shingles and solar generating shingles are installed simultaneously by roofing contractors - no specialized skills or knowledge of solar array installations are required.

Additionally, Dow and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) recently announced the signing of a multi-year research collaboration that is strategic to both organizations' interests in solar energy. The arrangement is aimed at developing the next generation of ultra low cost, high efficiency photovoltaic materials and will accelerate the speed to market for these next generation materials. Based on earth abundant elements, these new PV materials should further reduce the cost of Dow's building integrated photovoltaic line, including the DOW(TM) POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle.

"Products like the DOW(TM) POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle demonstrate what the innovation engine of the new Dow can do," said David Parrillo, Senior R&D Director for Dow Solar Solutions. "Dow's innovation pipeline is robust and will allow us to continue to develop new building related photovoltaic materials and solutions. The collaboration with Caltech is projected to keep affordability and accessibility at the forefront of Dow's solar photovoltaic product lines and is another example of how Dow's leadership and innovation will further unlock the power of the sun for the masses."

The DOW(TM) POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle systems are expected to be available in limited quantities by mid-2010 and projected to be more widely available in 2011, putting the power of solar electricity generation directly and conveniently in the hands of homeowners.

To learn more about the DOW(TM) POWERHOUSE(TM) Solar Shingle visit www.dowsolar.com

 

PHOENIX, Nov. 16 /PRnewswire/ -- The new integrated air-source HP-50 Heat Pump Water Heater from Rheem Water Heating was recently named one of BuildingGreen's Top-10 Products for 2009. Presented during the Greenbuild Expo in Phoenix on November 12, the award recognizes products listed over the past year in BuildingGreen's product directory, GreenSpec®, or covered in Environmental Building News magazine.

This past September, Rheem became the first industry manufacturer to announce delivery of a fully integrated, high-efficiency heat pump water heater to both the plumbing wholesale and utility channels. The new HP-50 Heat Pump Water Heater, which meets the qualifications for an ENERGY STAR® listing, offers an Energy Factor (EF) of 2.0, or more than twice the energy efficiency of a standard electric storage water heater.

"The average annual operating cost will be between $225 and $280, or roughly half that of even the most efficient standard electric water heaters on the market today," says Rheem product manager Tommy Olsen.

The energy-saving design will help a family reduce its carbon footprint by nearly two tons annually. In addition, the HP-50, which has a storage capacity of 50 gallons, qualifies for a federal tax credit as well as many state and utility rebates and incentives.

Measuring only 21 inches in diameter and 75.5 inches tall, the HP-50 offers a slimmer, more portable profile that makes installation in spaces with restricted access -- including attics and basement mechanical rooms --easier. "That's why this new unit is an easy retrofit product for existing electric installations," Olsen comments. "If a 240-volt electric service is located nearby, it can replace a gas model as well."

BuildingGreen, LLC, is an independent company with a longstanding reputation for publishing accurate, unbiased and timely information for building professionals interested in improving the environmental performance of buildings and surrounding landscapes.

GreenSpec, the nation's most comprehensive directory of green building products, includes more than 2,000 listings. The directory does not carry advertising, and manufacturers do not pay for listings. Product selection is based on a careful evaluation of products according to green criteria developed by Environmental Building News editors of over the past 15 years.

More than 175 new listings have been added to the directory over the past year. From these, the BuildingGreen staff selected 10 products for special recognition, including the Rheem HP-50 Heat Pump Water Heater, which was ranked sixth. "Our intent with this annual award is to draw national attention to some of the most exciting and innovative new products in the green building field," says Alex Wilson of BuildingGreen and executive editor of GreenSpec.

For more information on the Rheem HP-50 Heat Pump Water Heater, please visit http://www.rheemhpwh.com/

 

New Decking and Railing Couples Enduring Beauty and Unmatched Performance

WINCHESTER, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The best has just gotten better. Already the established industry leader, Trex Company (NYSE: TWP) is expanding its portfolio of durable and beautiful outdoor living products with the new Trex Transcend™ decking and railing system. This revolutionary collection boasts an unprecedented combination of performance and aesthetics guaranteed to outperform wood, composite and PVC for decades. Trex Transcend will begin shipping to distributor partners on Jan. 4, 2010 – with the product scheduled to roll-out at retailers nationwide in February.

“Trex Transcend is a game-changing product that quite simply exceeds all other materials in the marketplace,” said Ron Kaplan, president and CEO of Trex, the nation’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railing, fencing and trim products. “Since inventing the concept of durable and low-maintenance outdoor living products nearly 20 years ago, we’ve consistently introduced design and manufacturing innovations that have secured Trex’s position as the preferred brand among both consumers and professionals. With Transcend, we’re combining all of the benefits of our existing collections with proprietary new technologies that offer unparalleled durability, wear-resistance and long-lasting good looks.”

Engineered with an exclusive nine-element surface formulation, Trex Transcend decking combines a finish that resists stains, scratches and mold with a distinctive and natural-looking, high-definition wood grain pattern The key to Trex Transcend’s extreme durability is its integrated shell, which is two to three times thicker than that of other manufacturers’ products. Each board is protected on three sides for superior defense against severe weather, heavy foot traffic and everyday occurrences like wet planter pots, red wine rings, spilled food and dropped grilling tools. The underside of each board breathes to avoid surface separation and ensure lifelong endurance. As a result, consumers receive comfort and beauty without the maintenance issues of wood and the plastic-like appearance of PVC.

Like all Trex products, Transcend won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter – and upkeep is hassle-free. The product requires no sanding, staining or painting, and its protective shell defends against fading while being extremely low maintenance. In fact, spills wash off easily with just soap and water. The entire Transcend decking collection is also backed by a 25-year Limited Fade and Stain Warranty that is unprecedented in the industry.

Trex Transcend is offered in four rich colors that are engineered right into the board – allowing for a deeper, more natural appearance and ensuring that the vibrancy and hue of the product will remain unchanged for decades to come. Each Trex Transcend deck board is available in two profile options – square and grooved. The grooved boards accommodate the Trex Hideaway® Hidden Fastening System, which allows for a smooth, unfettered finish free of nails and other visible fasteners. The collection also includes a completely modular railing system that enables consumers to mix or match decking and railing components to create a customized look specifically tailored to their outdoor living areas.

“Through Trex Transcend, we’re elevating the entire decking category and creating new standards for performance and aesthetics,” said Kaplan. “No alternative outdoor living product truly has delivered the benefits of both composite and PVC decking until now. That’s why we’re confident Trex Transcend is in a class of its own.”

Trex extensively tested Transcend among 1,500 consumers and 500 contractors to ensure that it would deliver on its promise to be the best product on the marketplace. Transcend decking and railing also remain true to Trex’s environmentally-friendly legacy – the decking contains 95 percent recycled content, and the railing uses entirely reclaimed wood, contributing to the LEED points of any residential or commercial structure. Trex saves approximately 600 million pounds of plastic and wood scrap from landfills each year and recycles approximately 1.5 billion plastic grocery bags – seven out of every 10 in the United States.

 

Recycled content, sustainable attributes help earn prestigious award

WABASH, Ind., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermafiber mineral wool insulation has been selected as one of the top-10 products of 2009 by the editors at BuildingGreen publishing. The eighth annual award recognizes the most innovative and appealing green building products added to the company's GreenSpec® Product Directory or covered in Environmental Building News during the past year.

"It is an honor for Thermafiber to be chosen as a top-10 green building product for 2009," says Steve Edris, Thermafiber's President and CEO. "Our products offer up to 90% recycled content -- the highest of any commercial insulation. In addition, our insulation helps buildings conserve energy, control noise, improve indoor air quality, improve life safety and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We appreciate BuildingGreen's recognition of the sustainable attributes our products provide."

As in previous years, BuildingGreen selected its top-10 products primarily from new additions to the company's GreenSpec Product Directory, which includes thousands of products.

"Our selections of the top-10 green building products represent a wide range of product types in many application areas," noted BuildingGreen founder and Executive Editor Alex Wilson. "Many of the top-10 products this year have multiple environmental attributes."

The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System continues to drive the development of green products. The LEED system awards points for the use of certain product types or for energy/water savings. "Designers of LEED buildings are looking for green products, and manufacturers are responding," Wilson said. Thermafiber's commercial mineral wool products contribute up to 33 LEED credits across four categories.

About Thermafiber

Thermafiber, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of premium mineral wool insulation products for commercial, residential, industrial and marine applications. Thermafiber commercial insulation products are specified 4-to-1 over other brands and have been installed in 5 of the 7 tallest buildings in the world. To learn more about Thermafiber, visit www.thermafiber.com.

Thermafiber mineral wool insulation has been recognized as a 2009 Top-10 Green Building product.

 

New Industry Standards for Stone, Ceramic, Clay and Glass Building Materials and Windows Add to Program Milestones

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- UL Environment (ULE) announces at Greenbuild 2009 that it intends to develop standards for sustainability in new industry categories: stone, ceramic, clay and glass building materials and glazing materials, windows and associated hardware and accessories. The standards establish environmental requirements for these building products and the environmental criteria are based on the life cycle impacts and health effects of the associated products.

ULE's new sustainability standards will draw on input from UL Environment Standard Technical Panels (STPs) comprised of stakeholders such as manufacturers, government entities, consumer interest groups, product installers, users, distributors and testing organizations. These standards will set minimum environmental requirements and create a progressive and tiered approach allowing sustainability leaders to highlight their achievements.

The new standards announcement brings the categories in which ULE is driving the development of sustainability standards to five separate categories covering multiple products: stone, ceramic, clay and glass building materials; glazing materials windows and associated hardware and accessories; doors and related hardware; mineral board, fiberboard and wallboard; and, suspended ceiling materials and systems.

Since its launch in early 2009, the company has made several announcements regarding top companies participating in its Environmental Claims Validation (ECV) program. EcoRock® from Serious Materials was the first company to achieve an ECV from ULE. Most recently companies including Owens Corning and LG Electronics have gone through ULE's ECV program, providing the market with products that not only say they are environmentally-preferable, but carry specific, validated claims.

Owens Corning, an industry leader in residential and commercial building materials, received the ULE ECV for a minimum of 35 percent recycled content in its manufactured stone and veneer products, Cultured Stone® and ProStone®. These products represent the first manufactured stone veneer products to receive third party validation for recycled content.

By the end of the year, ULE will announce the first-ever company to complete the ULE Sustainable Product Certification (SPC) program for meeting the NSF 140-2007 sustainability standards for commercial carpet.

"The building industry is one of the first industries to see concentrated efforts for sustainability including building with sustainable design and energy efficiency," said Steve Wenc, President, UL Environment. "It has been the first to begin to prove out environmental claims within product categories and it makes sense for us to start here in terms of development of environmental standards for the industry."

ULE is an official certifying body for BIFMA level(TM) Program, a multi-attribute sustainability standard and for the furniture industry. ULE's validations and certifications also help manufacturers achieve the NAHB Research Center "Green Approved" product seal, which qualifies products to earn points toward National Green Building Certification under the ICC-700 National Green Building Standard(TM).

ULE anticipates drafts of all sustainability standards announced in 2009 to be ready by the end of 2010.

 

Breakthrough Technology Delivers Lowest-Cost, Type X Soundproof Drywall

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Serious Materials, a leading energy-saving building materials company in the U.S., today launched QuietRock® ES soundproof drywall with EZ-SNAP™ Technology which is 4X easier to score and snap than other brands. QuietRock ES is the lowest-cost, sound-reducing Type X drywall available today and the only one without any paper in the middle. The advanced, patent pending approach incorporates new gypsum core technology which offers greater strength, enhanced fire resistance, and easier and cleaner score and snap than even standard gypsum board.

Manufactured completely in the U.S., QuietRock ES delivers acoustical ratings of up to STC 55 on single stud construction and is designed to complement Serious Materials’ family of QuietRock products which are available with ratings up to STC 80. Unlike old methods such as resilient channel, it cannot be easily shorted out in the field, thus yielding superior results with less cost and supervision. And unlike other brands of soundproof drywall, it can be scored and snapped as easy as regular drywall, yielding lower labor costs and higher productivity. Serious Materials invented acoustical drywall in 2002, and now has more than 2 million panels installed in 50,000 successful projects.

“QuietRock ES is another example of how we continue to innovate and obsolete older approaches,” said Kevin Surace, CEO of Serious Materials. “Our customers asked for a product that was lower cost and far easier to use than any other product from any other manufacturer. We listened intently and delivered. Simply put: No one else has this level of advanced technology in the space at any price…let alone the lowest price.”

“With QuietRock ES being 4 times easier to score and snap, and more affordable, it is clearly way ahead of other sound-reducing drywall products on the market today, which simply sandwich two pieces of drywall together and have 2-layers of paper in the middle,” said Craig St. John, President of Westwood Building Materials. “I can’t wait to get this in the hands of my customers.”

“QuietRock ES is just as easy to score and snap as regular gypsum and handles very well,” said Paul Repetto from Eric Stark Interiors. “I can tell from the texture of the material that cutting out outlets or other openings will be easy. I absolutely will recommend using it for common walls and other sound applications instead of some of those old, antiquated sound-reducing products.”

Disruptive Manufacturing Approach Delivers QuietRock ES with EZ-SNAP Technology

Serious Materials has developed patent-pending, disruptive, automated manufacturing processes to create QuietRock ES with EZ-SNAP Technology, making obsolete the old line process of how traditional sound-reducing drywall is made. Nearly 4 years in the making, Serious Materials engineered an advanced gypsum core technology and created a breakthrough manufacturing process that splits the core down the center, dispenses proprietary polymers in a specified and proprietary pattern inside, presses the two halves back together and seals the edges.

About QuietRock ES with EZ-SNAP Technology

5/8 inch QuietRock ES is load bearing, Type X, 1-hour fire-rated, abuse-resistant panel that scores and snaps easier than standard drywall. QuietRock ES is designed to install and hang just like standard drywall. A typical QuietRock ES wall assembly, with QuietRock ES on both sides of single wood studs, has an STC rating of 52 compared with a typical gypsum wall assembly, with gypsum on both sides of single wood studs, which has an STC rating of 39. QuietRock ES delivers ratings up to STC 55 on single steel stud construction.

Benefits of QuietRock ES with EZ-SNAP Technology include:

* Ease of use: QuietRock ES has no paper in the middle, is even easier to score and snap than regular gypsum, and is 4X easier to use than other brands of sound-reducing drywall. There is no need to use a saw to cut the panel.
* Lowest cost: QuietRock ES is less expensive than any other brand of acoustical drywall (as of today) and is easier and faster to install, which leads to increased productivity and lower labor costs.
* High performance and reliability: QuietRock ES outperforms other sound-reducing methods, and can be used on ceilings and load bearing walls. Unlike resilient channel, QuietRock ES cannot be easily short circuited.

About Serious Materials

Serious Materials develops and manufactures sustainable green building materials that save energy, save money, improve comfort, and aggressively address climate change. Super-insulating high R-value SeriousWindows™ reduce heating and cooling energy costs by up to 40%. SeriousGlass™ industry-leading insulating commercial glass has been installed in thousands of projects and offers the highest energy savings in the industry. QuietRock® soundproof drywall reduces material use, enhances livability, and supports dense urban construction. EcoRock™ is the only true green alternative to gypsum drywall. Serious Materials’ products are manufactured in the company’s 5 factories across North America. For more information, visit www.SeriousMaterials.com.

 

MARIETTA, Ga., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- First launched in 2007 in a very select group of markets, SAFETOUCH(TM) Fiberglass-Free Insulation is now available in 53 demographic market areas (DMAs). Manufactured from the same polyester fibers as clothing and bedding, SAFETOUCH(TM) has become increasingly popular as an itch-free alternative to traditional batt insulation. No special protection, gloves, or goggles are required when using SAFETOUCH(TM) because the product does not irritate skin and does not create glass dust. It is similar to its fiberglass counterparts in terms of sound deadening capabilities, R-value, and durability, and also offers additional benefits not found in other insulation:

-- Flexible - easily fitted and repositioned.
-- Friction fit - holds itself in place in most cases, so there's no need
for staples. For ceiling applications it can be stapled or nailed with
standard equipment.

-- Workable - score the facer with a knife then tear by hand. Unfaced
batts do not need to be cut and can be torn to length by hand. No
gloves, goggles, or special equipment required

Some of the most common areas to use SAFETOUCH(TM) include a home's exterior stud walls, sound deadening interior walls, basement walls and ceiling, attic floors, and crawl spaces. Under the new American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, homeowners who purchase SAFETOUCH(TM) may be eligible for a tax credit of up to 30% of the amount paid for the qualified energy effiency improvements. The Dow Chemical Company manufactures STYROFOAM(TM) Branded Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation, along with GREAT STUFF(TM) Insulating Foam Sealant, which also qualify for the tax rebate.

 

Results introduced at the GreenBuild 2009 tradeshow in Phoenix, Arizona

PHOENIX, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- BASF Wall Systems today announced the results of an Eco-Efficiency Analysis comparing brick, stucco and Senergy® Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS). The detailed Eco-Efficiency Analysis was performed to determine the balance of environmental burden and life cycle costs associated with the construction, use and disposal of commercial exterior wall claddings in the United States.

The analysis considered the ecological impact of processes involved in the extraction, conversion, maintenance and disposal of each component used in the three wall claddings. The performance of each cladding was evaluated in six key environmental categories: energy consumption; emissions; toxicity potential; occupational illness and accidents; resource consumption; and land use. The ecological assessment was combined with a Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCA) of the three claddings, creating a comprehensive assessment of both cost and ecological impact.

Findings of the Study
The study's results show that:
-- Senergy EIFS has the smallest ecological footprint in every category
of environmental impact. Both brick and stucco construction are more
material-intensive than EIFS. Stucco provides an environmental impact
that is greater than EIFS, but less than brick.
-- The lifecycle cost of Senergy EIFS and stucco were much lower than
brick. Brick was more expensive in all three phases: production, use
and disposal.

-- Brick provides the least eco-efficient wall cladding due to its higher
cost and larger ecological footprint.


The study was based upon a comparison of a 3,000 square foot, eight story wall section clad with either EIFS, stucco or single-wythe brick built on steel stud infill construction with gypsum sheathing. The walls were equally insulated (U-0.077) and were supported at 12' intervals. A 50-year service life was selected, based on published data and methods outlined in the Canadian Standards Association S478-95 Guideline on Durability in Buildings standard.

Eco-Efficiency Analyses are conducted to enable identification of efficient production processes and creation of products and services that reduce resource use, waste, and pollution along the entire value chain. From a construction industry perspective, Eco-Efficiency Analysis can help designers understand the implications of design decisions with a level of confidence that was not previously available.

BASF has conducted more than 400 Eco-Efficiency Analysis studies worldwide on an array of products and services, since the methodology was developed in 1996.

 

Digital Prototyping with Autodesk Inventor Software Helps Building Product Manufacturers Reilly Windows & Doors and Mestek, Inc., Collaborate More Effectively with AEC Firms

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Greenbuild Expo 2009--Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, announced that building product manufacturers including Reilly Windows & Doors (Reilly) and Mestek, Inc., are successfully using the Autodesk solution for Digital Prototyping to collaborate with the building information modeling (BIM) process and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

By providing “BIM-ready” product models that can be directly incorporated into the building design and construction process, product manufacturers help AEC firms make better design decisions around constructability, fit, aesthetics, performance and cost, while increasing their own ability to win new business.

With the growing adoption of BIM in the building industry, AEC firms are increasingly requiring 3D, BIM-ready models from manufacturers as part of the acceptance criteria. Autodesk Inventor software gives building product manufacturers the ability to create digital prototypes of their products and then publish simplified 3D representations with intelligent connectors and product information as BIM objects. These 3D representations can be consumed by the Autodesk Revit suite of products, which are purpose-built BIM applications designed for architects, engineers, and construction professionals. BIM-ready models can also carry important information about a product’s green characteristics, providing early insight into potential LEED certification.

Digital Prototyping as a Competitive Advantage

Reilly designs, fabricates and installs custom windows and doors that exceed the expectations of even the most exacting clients. To create elegant, high-quality products, Reilly relies on a Digital Prototyping workflow based on Autodesk Inventor software to design, visualize and simulate its products digitally and to deliver models of its products to architects who use Autodesk Revit Architecture software.

“Delivering 3D models to architects is a huge value, particularly because most architects can’t spend time creating realistic models of windows and doors,” said Michael John Iwanyczko, director of marketing at Reilly. “We’re offering them highly detailed 3D models that they can incorporate into their architectural designs — it’s another level of service that sets us apart.”

Mestek, Inc., is a family of more than 30 specialty manufacturers providing heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) products. For more than 40 years, the company has focused on creating a superior indoor environment for building occupants through its offerings. The company recently started using digital prototypes created in Inventor software to develop BIM objects and currently has a published library of more than 300 objects that can be downloaded directly into Revit models.

“The ability to reuse our digital prototypes and repurpose that data to create BIM objects is very important for us, especially since our products tend to be complex and highly configured,” said Mike Kaler, general manager of Mestex, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Mestek. “Sharing these BIM objects with the architects and engineers provides tremendous time savings since we don’t have to create the content from scratch again.”

“Autodesk’s established presence in both the AEC and manufacturing markets is enabling more effective communication and collaboration between disciplines,” said Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. “Using Inventor software-based solutions allow building product manufacturers to go beyond 3D to Digital Prototyping, and it allows our AEC customers to leverage digital prototypes in their Revit-based BIM workflows.”

 

Version 2.0 of the Living Building Challenge Expands Its Focus to Local Food Production, Unrestricted Access to Nature, No Gated Communities and Other Equity Issues
Greenbuild 2009

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The concept of Living Buildings was first introduced three years ago and quickly gained recognition as the world’s most revolutionary approach to green building. The newest iteration of the Living Building Challenge was released today at Greenbuild, the U.S. Green Building Council’s annual conference. The International Living Building Institute (ILBI), in conjunction with the Cascadia Region Green Building Council, launched version 2.0 with the ultimate goal to fundamentally change the built environment.

Most green building certification programs have focused on individual buildings, but the new Living Building Challenge program is both more comprehensive and more expansive, including small in-home remodels, community or campus-wide initiatives and infrastructure projects – including bridges, roads and parks.

The expanded breadth of version 2.0 brings more people to the table. “This standard is a unifying tool, bringing together many disciplines and players for the first time under one green building standard – architects and developers with urban planners and landscape architects, environmentalists and social activists, as well as affordable housing advocates and preservationists – to form a visionary pathway to a restorative future,” says Jason F. McLennan, CEO of the Cascadia Region Green Building Council.

The new Living Building Challenge standard is designed to address critical social and economic issues, including the collapse of domestic manufacturing, global trade imbalances, urban sprawl, the marginalization of those that can’t purchase the ‘American dream’ and the lack of community distinctiveness and culture. Version 2.0 is the first green building certification program to integrate urban agriculture, social justice and universal access issues as mandatory requirements. A new section addresses equity, examining ways to create equal access for all citizens, incorporate Universal Design considerations, promote culture and interaction, and end economic segregation of public and semi-public places. The new standards even require unrestricted access to rivers, lakes and shorelines, as well as other important natural elements – even when built on private property.

The program also introduces a new focus on urban agriculture, requiring a minimum amount of site square footage be dedicated to food production except in the densest urban environments – the more suburban a site is, the more food production is required. A new ‘car-free living’ imperative does not mandate the elimination of cars from development; rather, it is defined by the potential for a majority of people living in a neighborhood to have a productive and rich lifestyle without needing a car.

Version 2.0 represents the collective wisdom and feedback of the community of design professionals who have been working on Living Buildings over the last three years. Many of the changes incorporated into the new version were spurred by commentary from project teams within the Living Building Community.

 

Multi-purpose commercial insulation has highest recycled content

WABASH, Ind., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermafiber, Inc., has launched its new VersaBoard product line -- Thermafiber's newest product designed to meet multiple needs in commercial construction.

VersaBoard is available in four densities (3.5 to 8.0 pcf). Like all Thermafiber insulation, VersaBoard is engineered to provide thermal insulation, fire protection and exceptional sound and noise absorption. Thermafiber can apply a variety of facings to VersaBoard during manufacturing to meet the aesthetic and functional needs of a building. VersaBoard also repels moisture and can be an exposed interior surface.

Like all Thermafiber mineral wool products, VersaBoard has the highest recycled content (up to 90%) of any commercial insulation. VersaBoard contributes up to 33 LEED® credits across four categories. Thermafiber mineral wool insulation helps buildings conserve energy, control noise, improve indoor air quality, improve life safety and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Commercial Building Industry Now Benefits From YKK AP’s Most Energy-Efficient Entrance in Its Class and Quick to Install Unitized Curtain Wall System

AUSTELL, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visit us at Greenbuild, Booth #315:

At Greenbuild, YKK AP America, the leader in manufacturing high quality architectural products, expands its enerGfacade family with the addition of two new aluminum fenestration products for commercial use, the MegaTherm® XT entrance and the YCU 750 TU unitized curtain wall. The most energy-efficient, aluminum swing entrance system in its class, the MegaTherm XT entrance provides resistance to energy loss and achieves U-factors as low as 0.49 when used with standard low-emissivity glazing. The YCU 750 TU is the first dry glazed, unitized curtain wall system manufactured in the U.S. that features a polyurethane barrier to minimize energy transfer. With the addition of these two products to the enerGfacade family, YKK AP further positions itself as a leading manufacturer of sustainable architectural products.

“The new MegaTherm XT entrance and the YCU 750 TU curtain wall maximize energy savings by reducing overall heat transfer,” said Oliver Stepe, senior vice president for YKK AP. “Designed for exceptional durability and longevity, these products are ideal for construction projects looking to incorporate sustainable design or meet LEED requirements. With these new additions, we are bringing added value to our enerGfacade family while establishing a foothold toward the realization of net-zero buildings.”

To conserve energy, the MegaTherm XT entrance is thermally-broken by YKK AP’s low conductive polymer strips, which separate exterior metal from interior metal, providing a continuous thermal barrier to reduce heat flow and condensation. Utilizing foam polymer inserts and a dual perimeter air seal, the entrance offers reduced air infiltration as well as superior acoustical performance over standard solutions. Available in YKK AP’s medium stile configuration, Model 35XT, and wide stile configuration, Model 50XT, the entrance is designed to accept one-inch insulating glazing units and a wide variety of hardware for customized applications. Door corners are mechanically joined and triple point welded to ensure long lasting performance and to withstand intense environmental conditions.

The YCU 750 TU is a thermally-broken curtain wall system that is designed for speed of construction. This system helps address the most critical path of the “dry-in” process by allowing for rapid job site installation. As a result, the building takes less time to construct, allowing for quicker revenue generation. Utilizing YKK AP’s patented screw spline and dry glazing process, the YCU 750 TU can be quickly assembled and glazed in the shop to reduce the chance of weather delays and increase the quality control of the assembled unit. To meet the strictest building code requirements, the YCU 750 TU has been tested to industry standards for air, water, structural, seismic, acoustical and thermal performance.

YKK AP America is showcasing the enerGfacade product line this week at Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, November 11-13 in Phoenix, Arizona in booth number 315.

About YKK AP America

YKK AP America Inc. manufactures entrances, storefronts, curtain walls, window walls, sunshades, windows and sliding doors for office buildings, residential high-rises, schools, stadiums, shopping centers and institutional structures. All building products are manufactured in ISO 14001 certified facilities in Dublin, Georgia – a standard for businesses that operate in a sustainable manner by reducing pollution and waste. The company has also been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy for Exceptional Leadership in Industrial Energy Efficiency. YKK AP America is based in Austell, Ga. It is a subsidiary of YKK Corporation of America, whose parent company is global manufacturer YKK Corporation of Japan. For more information, visit www.ykkap.com.

 

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consumer product manufacturers will now be able to prove their sustainability claims to customers and stockholders with a new certification program that rewards the highest levels of environmental performance and leadership.

Green Seal, the 20-year old non-profit certifier of green products and services, is launching a pilot Company Certification Program that provides the first and only holistic assessment of a company’s product line and its business operations. The new program builds on Green Seal’s development of 30 environmental standards and certification of over 3,500 “green” products and services.

This pilot program will certify companies as a whole based on their commitment to environmentally-sound business practices and sustainable products. Recognition of environmental leadership – at Gold, Silver and Bronze levels – will be based on corporate-wide practices and environmental impacts, third-party environmental certification of the company’s products, and life-cycle assessment of the company’s key product lines.

Green Seal will factor in greenhouse gas emissions, water conservation, biodiversity impact and labor relations, among other requirements.

The pilot Company Certification Program represents a significant leap forward in green product certification programs by assessing entire companies rather than assessing one product at a time.

Certification to the Green Seal standard will be done by teams of independent experts during on-site inspections and life-cycle assessments of the company’s supply chain and major products. Social and environmental impact studies will also be considered. Once completed, companies are given a license to use the Green Seal which, in addition to certifying their commitment to the environment for consumers, also provides greenwashing insurance for the business.

 

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Arclin, a leading provider of bonding, surfacing and related products for today's engineered building, industrial materials and natural resources markets announced the addition of two new product lines of binders for wood panels designed to meet the most stringent emission requirements for composite wood panels.

Arclin's E-Gen(TM) designated family of wood binder systems has been expanded to include E-Natural(TM) ultra low-emitting systems and E-Sorb(TM) zero-emitting systems. E-Natural(TM) binders are designed to meet the lowest emission performance standards in the world. These systems are ideally suited for California's "Ultra Low Emitting Formaldehyde (ULEF)" applications as they emit at or below naturally occurring levels while maintaining performance characteristics.

E-Sorb(TM) zero-emitting binders are the best-in-class ULEFs. Their inherent scavenging ability negates even naturally occurring emissions, making them an exceptional option for sensitive building environments as well as helping panel manufacturers control emissions when large amounts of reclaimed or urban wood are introduced into their raw material stream.

 

The rich look of tropical hardwoods helps deck builder grow business

NEW LONDON, N.C., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- For Bobby Parks, a deck builder in the Atlanta, Ga. area and owner of Peachtree Decks and Porches, the tropical look and colors of Fiberon Horizon(TM) decking have been a huge hit.

His first client to select the tropical hardwood look of Fiberon Horizon decking agrees. "I was looking to expand my deck, covering half in a screened-in porch and leaving the rest open," says Kelli Shea Miller, an Atlanta-area homeowner. "I am very environmentally conscious, and that is reflected in my decorating and style tastes. I knew I wanted real ipe hardwood to floor the screened-in portion, but with all the trees in my backyard and the red Georgia clay, I needed something low-maintenance for the rest. Horizon in the Ipe color was the perfect match -- its recycled content fit my environmental needs and its appearance allowed my covered space to flow perfectly to my open space."

Fiberon®, LLC, which manufactures composite decking, railing and fencing and PVC outdoor flooring, introduced the multi-chromatic Rosewood and Ipe colors for Fiberon Horizon decking in time for the summer 2009 season. These colors emulate the rich graining of tropical hardwoods such as tigerwood, mahogany and others.

With no organic material on the surface, Fiberon Horizon decking is extremely mold resistant. Its patent-pending PermaTech(TM) surface technology also makes it stain and fade resistant. Fiberon Horizon comes with the industry's first 10-Year Limited Stain and Fade Resistance Warranty, in addition to a 20-Year Limited Lifetime Warranty.

 

Kawneer Products Helps Build a New State-of-the-Art, Energy Efficient Intermediate School in Hot Springs, Arkansas

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Hot Springs Intermediate School, located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, may appear to be an everyday, two-story school. But in taking a closer look at the aluminum, glass and brick building it is apparent that there is much more to the building than meets the eye.

Sustainability was a key factor in creating the new school. It was important that the Intermediate School incorporate solutions that help provide a healthy, productive learning environment, such as increased daylighting and improved energy efficiency. To help achieve natural lighting, products from Alcoa’s Kawneer architectural aluminum products business were selected to help increase the durability, sustainability and energy efficiency of the school. The new school, now occupied by approximately 700 students, is spacious and features an open floor plan with natural light throughout.

Challenges for Kawneer

•The School District had strict energy requirements; therefore energy efficiency was essential to the project.
•Many of the classrooms in the new school faced west, which was not ideal for energy efficiency or daylighting.
•To fit the needs of a growing student body, the new facility needed to be durable and able to handle heavy traffic.

Kawneer Solutions

•To meet the energy and lighting needs of the school while keeping within the project’s budget and design guidelines, a combination of Kawneer’s 1600 SunShade® and custom sunshades were used to help control glare and maximize natural light during the school day.
•For additional thermal and performance options, Kawneer’s versatile Trifab® VG 451T Storefront Framing was selected. The building also incorporates a geo-thermal heating system and an insulated building envelope. Additionally, extra insulation was integrated into the roof to exceed the energy code. Entrance vestibules also featured sloped glazing to allow for increased natural light to enter the building.
•For durability, Kawneer 350 Medium Stile Entrances were used. This entrance package, composed of a door, door frame and hardware, is designed specifically for high traffic areas such as school entrances, and makes a good, aesthetic impression, while simultaneously withstanding the rigors of constant use. To provide heightened security, Kawneer’s Paneline® Exit Devices, which offer total access control, were installed on the entrances to the facility.
Other Design Highlights

The site that the school district selected for the new facility was adjacent to the old building and fairly small in size. To compensate for the small building site, local architectural firm Douglas A. Arnold and Associates was required to go from a one-story design to a two-story plan. A greenhouse, incorporated into the design as a part of its science curriculum, features a skylight that provides smooth appearance and helps minimize heat loss and condensation. The combination of the building’s green features and modern teaching facilities, which includes a separate physical education building and auditorium, as well as an elaborate arts wing, helped make Hot Springs Intermediate School state-of-the-art.

 

Enhanced Program Aimed at Fulfilling Mandate for a National Energy-Efficiency Workforce Cited by a Recent White House Task Force

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Eco Institution, a San Diego-based environmental education and training firm, today announced the release of a new and enhanced “Green Consultant” certification and training course. The new online course is intended to make it easier than ever before for home-service professionals and other interested individuals to become Certified Green Consultants, and thereafter to deliver “Green Consulting” services to homeowners, businesses, and organizations in their neighborhoods and communities.

The new course builds on and replaces the Eco Institution’s initial Eco Consultant Certification course, which has been offered since early summer. The new course presents more detailed and advanced training content than was included in the original course, and focuses exclusively on strategies for reducing energy use, water use, and utility costs in homes and workplaces. The release of the enhanced course could not be timed more appropriately, as it responds directly to a recent call by the White House “Recovery Through Retrofit” Middle Class Task Force for greatly accelerated training of environmental professionals. The October 2009 report noted that “there are currently not enough skilled workers and green entrepreneurs to expand weatherization and efficiency retrofit programs on a national scale."

A Powerful New Approach to Energy- and Water-Efficiency

The Eco Institution’s Certified Green Consultant Training Course is aimed at both existing home-service professionals—ranging from real estate agents and home inspectors to interior designers, electricians, and plumbers—seeking to add a new line of business to their current professional practices, as well as other individuals (including career-changes, underemployed professionals, and local entrepreneurs) looking to generate extra income and to establish a foothold in a solid and promising next-generation career.


A Rich Course Curriculum

The Eco Institution’s Certified Green Consultant Training Course covers the full range of topics necessary for future Green Consultants to become locally recognized experts in residential and commercial energy- and water-efficiency. Among the topics covered by the 17-unit online course are:

•Green Consulting as a profession
•The residential ecosystem
•Residential heating and cooling systems
•Insulation and thermostats
•Windows and doors
•Household appliances and electronics
•Water use and water heating
•Energy-efficient lighting solutions
•Alternative-energy options, including solar and wind
•Green home design principles
•Energy and water use in the workplace
•Workplace-based recycling practices
•Conducting Green Home and Green Workplace surveys
•Marketing and selling Green Consulting services
•Publishing and promoting Green Consulting services
•Promoting Green Consulting services online
The Eco Institution’s Green Consultant certification process has been designed for maximum flexibility and adaptability to the needs of individual Green Consultant trainees. Taking advantage of the latest in web-based training technologies, the Certified Green Consultant Training Course is available online, and can be studied at the student’s own pace and on his or her own schedule. Each of the introductory course’s 17 units includes a detailed, easy-to-read text-based lesson, and is accompanied by email-based access to a professional Green Consulting Coach who will guide students through both the substantive and practical aspects of setting up and building their Green Consulting practice.

The Certified Green Consultant Training Course also includes a professionally designed business “Start Up Kit” intended to help Green Consultants to rapidly build their professional practices. Among the Kit’s more than two dozen components are a suite of home consulting, workplace consulting, and marketing and promotion tools that will enable Green Consultants to focus more time on the vital matters of client service and follow-up and less on the rote mechanics of running a business. The centerpiece of the Start Up Kit are comprehensive Green Home Survey and Green Workplace Surveys and Reports, that will enable Green Consultants to review homes and workplaces and to deliver their findings in a cost-efficient and consistent manner.

The Eco Institution operates its Green Consultant credentialing program as an educational and training network and not as a franchise. Specifically, the Eco Institution sets no fee structures that its trained and certified Green Consultants are required to charge and makes no guarantees of any specific income stream (although many Green Consultants and Eco Consultants currently earn from $100 to $400 per home or business survey, and several hundred dollars or more from follow-on work with the same client). Additionally, Green Consultants choose their company’s own name and location, set their own hours, and determine which specific services they will offer and how much they will charge. There are also no sales territories or sales quotas. Eco Institution-trained Green Consultants keep 100% of whatever they earn from clients, and do not have to pay a “sales commission” or licensing fee to the Eco Institution for ongoing use of Eco Institution materials.

Signing Up for the Eco Consultant Certification Course

Signing up for the Eco Institution’s Certified Green Consultant Training Course is a simple and straightforward matter. Interested individuals should visit the Eco Institution’s Green Consultant web site at www.greenconsultant.com. Alternatively, students may telephone the Eco Institution directly at (877) 235-3170.

 

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today applauded Congress for passing legislation that will extend and expand the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, stating that this will provide a much-needed boost to the fragile housing market and economy.

“We commend lawmakers for acting in a bipartisan manner to extend the first-time home buyer tax credit beyond its Nov. 30 deadline and expand it to a wider group of home buyers,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. “The tax credit has proven to be a powerful economic incentive. Today’s action by Congress will further stabilize housing and the economy by creating new jobs, stimulating home sales, reducing foreclosures, cutting excess inventories and stabilizing home prices.”

The new law will extend the $8,000 credit for first-time home buyers for sales contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 and closed by June 30. Further, it has been expanded to include a new $6,500 credit for owners of existing homes who are purchasing a new principal residence. An existing home owner can claim the $6,500 tax credit if they have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight. Additionally, the income eligibility limits to claim the full credit amount for both groups of home buyers have been raised to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples.

NAHB estimates that the extended and expanded home buyer tax credit will create 211,000 jobs and generate 180,000 additional home sales in the coming year. It is also expected to generate $9.6 billion in wage income and $6.9 billion in federal, state and local taxes.

The legislation, which also extends unemployment insurance benefits and offers relief to cash-strapped firms by providing broader tax benefits for businesses with net operating losses (NOLs), is expected to be signed into law shortly by President Obama.

 

New Documents Release Includes Multi-Party Agreement for Integrated Project Delivery and Document for Federally Funded or Federally Insured Projects

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced the release of the new C191™-2009, Standard Form Multi-Party Agreement for Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), which provides for a collaborative working relationship among parties involved in a design and construction project and utilizing the IPD delivery model. With this new agreement the parties execute one coordinated and integrated agreement that clearly sets forth the parties’ roles and responsibilities in delivering a project consistent with the principles of IPD. Unlike the C195™-2008, the parties do not form an LLC under the C191-2009 framework.

In addition, the AIA released B108™-2009, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect for a Federally Funded or Federally Insured Project, and a new document, B202™-2009, Standard Form of Architect’s Services: Programming. Collectively called the “4.2 Release,” these three documents expand the extensive library of AIA Contract Documents and build on more than 100 years of experience in defining the contractual relationships in the design and construction industry.

“The design and construction industries are evolving, and AIA Contract Documents continue to guide the way by creating documents and resources that are necessary to lead the industry in new practices and project delivery approaches,” said Michael B. Bomba, Esq., Associate Counsel, AIA Contract Documents. “The AIA’s new Multi-Party Agreement for Integrated Project Delivery reflects the shift away from working in silos and supports new collaborative methods being employed among architects, owners and contractors.”

Paradigm Shifting Approach

With the new C191-2009 Standard Form Multi-Party Agreement for Integrated Project Delivery individual success of each party is directly tied to a project’s overall success. The architect and the contractor, as well as any other non-owner parties, earn profit through the achievement of the owner’s specified goals. This method of compensation promotes “good for the project” behavior and encourages all parties to work through disputes as they arise rather than assigning blame. In addition, the agreement establishes a collaborative management structure that involves all of the primary project stakeholders and is designed to minimize disputes while increasing project efficiency and quality.

Availability

The new AIA IPD Multi-Party Agreement, as well as B108-2009 and B202-2009, will be available beginning November 3, 2009. Existing AIA Contract Documents software customers will obtain these new documents at no additional cost when they download the latest software update at www.aia.org/contractdocs.

More information about AIA Contract Documents can be found at www.aia.org/contractdocs. AIA Contract Documents software can be purchased at www.aia.org/contractdocs/purchase. Documents in paper form are available through the AIA’s full service distributors. For a listing of full service distributors and pricing information, please visit www.aia.org/docs_purchase.

 

The nation's leader in sustainable design education and LEED Exam Prep has now expanded its offerings to flashcard iPhone Applications

NEW YORK, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Education Services (formerly named LEEDTeacher), a national provider of educational support services for Sustainable Design & LEED, announced Friday that its LEED Green Associate Flashcards are now available in the iTunes Store. The application is the first of its kind to feature over 350 flashcards, real-time instructor support, and an easy to use intuitive interface.

"We quickly realized that while there are plenty of options for students to purchase printed flashcards for the LEED Examinations, there were no apps that allowed you to study directly from your iPhone," said Zach Rose, CEO of Green Education Services. "Having already sold thousands of sets of flashcards for LEED prep, these applications were the next logical step and are a digital, more environmentally conscious way to study."

Some of the new features of the app include categorical studying, a "Remember Position" feature so you can always pick up where you left off, shuffle option to mix up the cards, and the option to contact a LEED teacher while studying your cards. Green Education Services is even including a special discount code in the app for $100 off an in-person LEED seminar.

"In these tough economic times, attaining a LEED credential is of the utmost importance," stated Rose. "For those seeking employment in the construction industry, it is literally a prerequisite to even be considered for any job opportunities. Furthermore, companies are now required to have LEED professionals on staff in order to submit bids for professional services."

Green Education Services' application is available now by visiting http://www.greenedu.com/leed-iphone-apps/.

About Green Education Services

Miami and New York-based Green Education Services (formerly named LEEDTeacher) was founded by Zach Rose, LEED AP in January 2009. The company offers building developers, architects, interior designers, planners, engineers, commercial real estate brokers, and construction industry professionals LEED and sustainable design education. Their proprietary curriculum and interactive approach is focused on helping AEC professionals achieve their green design credentialing goals and holistically understand the entire value chain of sustainable design applications and green building certification specifications. For more information, visit www.GreenEdu.com.

 

 

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electricity metering is undergoing its greatest transformation since the first meter was installed more than 120 year ago. Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), integrating two-way communications with energy measurement, is on the front lines of utility Smart Grid deployments, promising major energy savings by changing how and when customers use electricity. According to a new report from Pike Research, more than 250 million smart meters will be installed worldwide by 2015, representing a penetration rate of 18% of all electrical meters by that time, up from 46 million in 2008.

“Smart meters are the vanguard of Smart Grid deployments,” says managing director Clint Wheelock. “Current AMI rollouts are breaking the traditional 15-20 year meter replacement cycle, and represent an unprecedented effort to add intelligence and communications to electrical metering.” Wheelock adds that, while Europe is currently the top region for smart meter adoption, North America will become the leading market in 2010, reaching 55% penetration of all electric meters by 2015.

Pike Research segments the smart meter market into two primary categories: Basic meters, which transmit energy usage data over two-way communications networks, and Advanced meters, which include basic functionality in addition to remote disconnect and home area networking (HAN) capabilities. The cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts that total smart meter shipments will reach 39.5 million units by 2015, representing a $3.9 billion global market.

Pike Research’s report, “Smart Meters”, examines global and regional Smart Meter trends, explores neighborhood-area and home-area communications technologies and standards, defines “Basic” versus “Advanced” meter capabilities, and provides detailed market forecasts by technology and world region. Key vendors, standards, and deployments are profiled, offering a comprehensive window into the dynamic market for smart metering. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.

Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The company’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Renewable Energy, Clean Transportation, Clean Industry, Green Consumers, and Environmental Management sectors. For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.

 

ORLAND PARK, Ill., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Code Council's (ICC) Residential Building Code Committee voted to keep the residential fire sprinkler system requirement for one- and two-family new construction homes in the International Residential Code at the ICC hearings in Baltimore, MD this week. The requirement was in danger of being removed when the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) submitted proposals to eliminate the requirement.

The committee voted seven to four to oppose the motion to remove mandatory sprinklers from the IRC. The vote then went to the floor where more than 1,500 member voters also voted to keep the fire sprinkler mandate. The fire sprinkler requirement was originally added to the 2009 IRC last September at the ICC meeting in Minneapolis, MN.

According to Michael Schmitt, President of the Illinois Fire Inspectors Association (IFIA), it was an exciting day in fire safety history. "It was great to be surrounded by so many supporters, which was clear when the entire room cheered after the vote," Schmitt said.

"This vote also reinforces the decision that the 61 Illinois municipalities and fire districts made when they passed ordinances requiring fire sprinklers in all new homes," he added. Schmitt is also the Fire Marshal with the Long Grove Fire Protection District, the first municipality in Illinois to pass a residential fire sprinkler ordinances more than 20 years ago. Illinois is second to California, which as more than 80 municipalities with fire sprinkler ordinances.

The final action on residential fire sprinkler requirement will be voted upon at the May 2010 meeting of ICC, where only building officials and code enforcers can vote. The vote in Baltimore was an important win for residential fire safety because it will force homebuilders who oppose home fire sprinklers in the IRC to get a two-thirds vote to over-ride these sprinkler requirements at the May ICC meeting.

Fire service professionals across the country have endorsed the new sprinkler regulations, including the NFPA, U.S. Fire Administration, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and the International Association of Firefighters. These groups agree that fire sprinklers provide a level of protection that no other fire protection technology can offer. Smoke alarms are important because they provide valuable early warning in dwellings. Many high-risk populations - infants, children, people with disabilities, older adults - can have difficulty hearing and waking to smoke alarms, and difficulty reacting quickly and effectively enough for safe escape. Fire sprinklers immediately respond to a fire while it is still small, controlling the spread of deadly heat, flames and toxic smoke. Fire sprinklers also protect firefighters.

NIFSAB is a non-profit organization composed of fire officials, contractors, building officials, suppliers, architects, engineers, and manufacturers. NIFSAB is dedicated to educating and informing the public and elected and appointed officials of the vital role that fire sprinklers play in fire protection.

 

SEATTLE, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard ADA Systems, a firm well-known for safety products in ADA fields, recently branched out to include its most recent product: the DisposaCone, the world's first disposable traffic barricade system.

Introduced in the first week of March 2008, DisposaCones are already in use in the U.S. markets and available to Canada as well. Jon Julnes, owner of Vanguard ADA Systems and the DisposaCone division, invented the product after years of frustration at running back and forth to construction and other sites to pick up 3 of the 10 traffic cones his firm left only the day before. Finally he exclaimed, "There has to be a better way!" Indeed there was, and DisposaCones were the natural solution.

When asked about the product, Mr. Julnes said, "Years ago one of my firms used traffic cones fairly often. One day I thought we really ought to change our company slogan to 'cone supplier of the known universe,' since we're always leaving 10 cones, only to come back the next day and pick up 3 or 4. It seemed like we were always spending $60.00 to send someone out to pick up the $30.00 worth of cones that remained, or weren't already on their way to someone's soccer field."

Made of recyclable paper with a small butyl (tar) adhesive strip on the base that keeps them attached to any dry, hard surface, they can be picked up by onsite personnel. Meanwhile the contractor, whose work needs protecting, can send crews to other projects, instead of clogging freeways and wasting valuable resources picking up products that aren't even as valuable as the resources spent to retrieve them in the first place.

Sized perfectly to fit motorcycle saddlebags, emergency preparedness kits, construction trucks, buses, mail carriers and the like, DisposaCones fold flat and easily fit under most car seats. DisposaCones are available at http://www.disposacone.com/, and soon at retail outlets nationwide.

 

FEASTERVILLE, Pa., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Home Improvement, voted among America's top 500 home remodeling contractors, is hosting a FREE educational seminar on the latest technologies and products available to homeowners thinking about installing Environmentally Friendly Metal Roofing and Energy Producing Solar Roofing.

Global Home Improvement's seminar is perfect for individuals who own both Historical and Contemporary Homes in PA and NJ. This is a unique opportunity for homeowners to learn firsthand about high quality and durable products that are driving the residential remodeling market. Metal Roofing displays and samples will be available for guests to experience the various colors and profiles for standing seam metal roofs as well as metal shingle, tile and shake.

Global's innovative product line also features Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), a lightweight, flexible solar electric system designed to greatly reduce or offset home energy bills. This dual system is the ideal solution for roofs 10 or more years of age.

The seminar is divided into two parts; Understanding the Benefits of Metal Roofing & Everything a Homeowner Should Know about Solar Roofing. The presentation will be informative and interactive, showing how to increase home's value by 20% or more, to understand the complicated solar tax code, as well as additional facts straight from the manufacturer.


Join Global Home Improvement for an informative and enchanting night out at the


Washington Crossing Inn, 1295 General Washington Memorial Blvd
Washington Crossing, PA 18977.

Date and Time:
November 12th - 5:00 -7:00pm
A Complimentary Dinner Reception and a Q & A Session will follow.

 

American Society of Landscape Architects:

What:
The Sustainable Sites Initiative will release the nation’s first rating system for the design, construction and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, with or without buildings. A partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Initiative’s rating system represents four years of work by dozens of the country’s leading sustainability experts, scientists and design professionals, as well as public input from hundreds of individuals and dozens of organizations. This essential missing link in green design will foster a transformation in land development and management practices.

Why:
Existing rating systems offered little guidance beyond a building’s skin and focused on reducing a building’s environmental impact. Unlike buildings, sustainable landscapes can even give back by cleaning the air and water, reversing climate change, restoring habitat and biodiversity –with the potential to provide significant social and economic benefits.

Who:
Holly Shimizu, Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden
Nancy Somerville, Executive Vice President and CEO of ASLA
Susan Rieff, Executive Director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin

When:
Thursday, November 5 at 10:00 AM

Where:
United State Botanic Garden Conservatory – West Gallery


About the Sustainable Sites Initiative

The Sustainable Sites Initiative is an interdisciplinary partnership led by the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden to transform land development and management practices with the nation’s first voluntary rating system for sustainable landscapes, with our without buildings. For more information, visit www.sustainablesites.org.

 

Enhancements Span Data Accessibility, Reporting, Usability, Flexibility and Administration

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) , a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, today announced the release of Autodesk Constructware 2010 project management software. As a premier solution for the construction industry, Autodesk Constructware 2010, is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application, providing an on-demand environment for construction project management and collaboration.

Constructware 2010 offers reporting and data access improvements to help retrieve meaningful data while maintaining the integrity of project information. Key enhancements include:

A hallmark feature of Autodesk Constructware is the flexibility to view, mark up and upload not only Autodesk file formats, but also other CAD files and office documents. Constructware 2010 continues this tradition by offering owners and contractors more options to configure the software to better fit their specific business needs, including an upgraded viewing component that now supports AutoCAD 2009 files and the latest formats produced by other design tools in the market.

As Autodesk Constructware is a SaaS application delivered over the web, the new features are available immediately to end-users with a Subscription to Autodesk Constructware.

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., (Oct. 28, 2009) – Whirlpool Corporation today announced that it is the recipient of stimulus funds as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Smart Grid Investment Grant program.

The grant of $19.3 million over a two year period – which Whirlpool will match with its own investments – will help the company accelerate its work to deliver to consumers smart appliances that can connect with the smart grid. For example, the company recently announced that in 2011 it would deliver one million U.S. manufactured smart dryers capable of reacting intelligently to signals from the smart grid by modifying their energy consumption to save consumers money on their home electric bills. In markets where utilities offer variable or time-of-use pricing, these dryers could save a typical consumer $20 to $40 per year, while also benefitting the environment.

“The grants announced today are a great example of public and private partnerships that will create the next generation of energy saving solutions,” said Mike Todman, president, Whirlpool Corporation North America. “Smart appliances combined with time of use pricing offer consumers the greatest ability to save money on energy costs while benefitting the environment. Whirlpool Corporation continues to leverage its strong U.S. footprint to deliver the innovations that both meet consumers' needs and help to address environmental and energy concerns.”

In addition, the funds will complement the company's commitment that by 2015 all of the electronically controlled appliances it produces – everywhere in the world – will be capable of receiving and responding to signals from the smart grid. This commitment is dependent on two important public-private partnerships: the development by the end of 2010 of an open, global standard for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a home appliance; and appropriate policies that reward consumers, manufacturers and utilities for using and adding these new peak demand reduction capabilities.

 

Reed Construction Data Press Releases

Dodge allegedly used illegal and unethical practices to mislead, gain market share

Reed Construction Data (RCD), a leading construction information provider and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reed Elsevier (NYSE:RUK, NYSE:ENL), today filed suit in federal court against McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, a unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MHP). The suit charges that Dodge has unlawfully accessed confidential and trade secret information from RCD since 2002 by using a series of fake companies to pose as RCD customers.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeks an unspecified amount in lost profits and punitive damages, trial by jury, and injunctive relief as a result of Dodge’s misuse of RCD’s proprietary construction project information.

The complaint charges that Dodge hired consultants to subscribe to RCD’s confidential data under the cover of fake names and companies. Dodge then allegedly manipulated the information to create misleading comparisons between Dodge’s and RCD’s products and services in an effort to mislead the marketplace.

The complaint cites eleven counts of misconduct by Dodge, including fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, misappropriation of confidential information, unfair competition, tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, violation of New York’s general business law, violation of the RICO Act, RICO conspiracy, monopolization, attempted monopolization and unjust enrichment.

“McGraw-Hill Dodge has used our information to deceive and confuse the market about RCD and the data we offer,” said Iain Melville, CEO, Reed Construction Data. “This was an attempt by Dodge to force RCD out of business and obtain a monopoly over the construction data industry.”

The New York office of international law firm Troutman Sanders LLP filed the action, led by partner William N. Withrow, Jr.

“Dodge’s behavior violates a significant number of laws and codes of business ethics,” said Melville. “Seven years of such practices is no minor offense. It’s clear that these violations must be addressed with swift and just redress.”

 

Complaint claims McGraw-Hill Construction unlawfully obtained trade secrets.

Two of the construction data industry’s biggest players are now embroiled in a bitter legal battle.

Reed Construction Data, a unit of b-to-b publisher Reed Business Information, filed suit yesterday in federal court against McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, charging corporate espionage.

According to the 60-page complaint, RCD claims Dodge unlawfully accessed confidential and secret trade information from RCD by hiring consultants to subscribe to RCD’s confidential data, using made up names and fake companies. It also alleges that Dodge manipulated the RCD information to create “misleading comparisons” between Dodge and RCD’s products and services “in an attempt to mislead the marketplace.”

The RCD complaint cites 11 counts of misconduct by Dodge dating back to 2002 and says efforts to obtain competitive information from RCD dates back to “the mid- to late-1990s.” RCD is seeking an unspecified amount in lost profits, punitive damages and injunctive relief.

According to RCD CEO Iain Melville, Dodge’s alleged actions represent an attempt “to force RCD out of business and obtain a monopoly over the construction data industry.”

A spokesperson for McGraw-Hill Construction told FOLIO: the RCD lawsuit is unfounded. “We believe that Reed’s legal claims are without merit, and we intend to defend against them vigorously,” the spokesperson said. “We take these allegations very seriously and are committed to ensuring that all employees comply with our Code