Sustainable Industries magazine recently announced the release of its 2009 Top 10 Green Building Products
guide, the annual publication profiling industry-leading green building
products selected by a panel of expert judges and the Sustainable
Industries editorial team.
The 2009 Top 10 Green Building Product winners are:
Acadia Combined Heating and Cooling System
Made by Hallowell International
(www.gotohallowell.com)
The
Acadia is not just another heating and cooling system. It maintains 200
percent efficiency even when outdoor temperatures drop well below zero.
When heating oil prices were sky high, Acadia users were saving up to
70 percent in energy costs.
ec-H20
Made by Tennant Co.
(www.tennantco.com)
Requiring
no chemicals, ec-H2O uses tap water to clean most any surface of most
any substance. Each machine reduces water usage by 70 to 80 percent,
and the potential of 245 million gallons of water each year if it were
installed in all new floor-cleaning machines.
InSpire Wall
Made by ATAS International
(www.atas.com)
This
simple, elegant technology essentially uses the power of the sun to
heat outdoor air before sending it indoors, thereby slashing energy use
while boosting indoor air quality. Depending on what kind of heating
fuel is being replaced, this product can reduce heating costs by up to
$5 for each square foot of InSpire Wall installed.
kama EEBS Structural Systems
Made by kama Energy Efficient Building Systems Inc.
(
www.kama-eebs.com)
kama EEBS Structural Systems integrate light gauge metal stud framing
system with expanded polystyrene insulation in a proprietary design
that eliminates thermal bridging and helps to create a tight,
energy-efficient building envelope.
PlybooPure Bamboo Plywood
Made by Smith & Fong Co.
(
www.plyboo.com)
Because it's technically a grass, bamboo had not previously been
eligible for FSC certification. But in January 2008, after two years of
lobbying, Smith & Fong achieved this first that propelled it to
recognition on this year's Top 10 list.
RainTube
Made by GLI Systems Inc.
(
www.raintube.com)
This product received more Top 10 nominations than any other product
this year. RainTube is a rain gutter filter made of 100 percent
post-consumer high-density polyethylene - old milk jugs, in other
words. This product is also Cradle to Cradle-certified, meaning that
GLI Systems Inc had to develop a Post-Use Recovery Plan that goes out
with every product.
Separett Villa
Made by Separett
(
www.ecovita.net/villa)
This urine-diverting composting toilet - which is 100 percent PVC fee -
uses no water and keeps solids separate from liquids, reducing odor and
making it possible to reuse waste and urine for composting and
fertilizing. The Separett Villa can be deployed where no plumbing
exists, allowing for a greater reach of the technology.
Serious Windows
Made by Serious Materials
(
www.seriouswindows.com)
Serious Windows are so efficient they have the potential to allow for
the elimination of a building's heating system, allowing waste heat
from building appliances to serve as the main heat source in some
applications. The windows have a full-frame R value of at least five
and up to 11, which can cut a building's energy bills by up to 50
percent per month.
Solatube Daylighting Systems
Made by Solatube International
(
www.solatube.com)
This patented technology catches direct sunlight and redirects it down
an adjustable-length tube, bringing daylight to parts of buildings that
would not otherwise have access to natural light. The Visa,
Calif.-based company recently launched a product specifically designed
for commercial applications, making it ideal for large-roofed
warehouses and manufacturing facilities, as well as retail stores and
schools - all places that have been shown to benefit from increased
daylight, as daylight is linked to higher worker productivity,
decreased absenteeism and better retail sales.
Your Old Light Fixture
Made by Eleek
(
www.eleekinc.com)
Eleek is the only business to make the Top 10 Green Building Products
list all four years. Though not a product, Eleek's lighting restoration
service speaks to the important concept of the re-use of existing
goods. When Eleek restores a light fixture, every piece of a fixture is
taken apart, repaired and restored to its original splendor. Its wiring
is updated to comply with modern codes and standards and a new lamp
base is installed so it works with energy-efficient lamps such as CFLs
and LEDs.