LIGHTING: ECO-LIGHTS offers eco-friendly light fixtures!

From every corner of the media we are being blasted with the great message about moving to compact flourescent light bulbs.  You can’t watch the evening news, go through the grocery line, or read an internet green blog without seeing an article and CFL’s.  …and actually we have an article here on the site under Lighting if you’ve missed the discussion!  

It now begs the question…what can we do during our remodel on the light fixture side of things to get a little Greener?  Well there are things you can do, and it is our mission at GetWithGreen.com to introduce them to you — or you could spend hours and tired eyeballs at Google (or Yahoo!) sifting through search results
Today we want to introduce you to Eco-Lights.com.  Eco-Lights.com offers a wide array of lighting fixtures made from recycled materials, ecologically harvested timber, and other earth friendly ingredients.   The also carry what they call “enlightened products” which are part green — still a better alternative to no-green! 

                              

Lighting choices from Eco-Lights.com include: Ceiling lighting, wall lighting, lamps, outdoor lighting, Energy Star lighting, solar lighting, and novelty lighting.   Each light has a description of its eco-benefit.   Great stuff, check it out at www.eco-lights.com. 

                                       

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APPLIANCES: New Bosch Evolution and Integra Dishwashers get greener

It’s time to inform you of two new highly efficient dishwashers that have just hit the market from Bosch, the appliance manufacturer.   On July 25th, Bosch  introduced its new line of Evolution and Integra dishwashers, featuring “the quietest most energy effiicient models in the country.” 

The two models:

  
        The Evolution SHE98                           Integra SHX98

Both models exceed the minimum federal energy standard by 147% with a yearly usage of only Read more

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BATHROOM: High-efficiency Toilets (HETs) that flush

We all think the same thing when someone mentions low-flush toilets.  So what are you thinking when I tell you there is a new toilet on the block called a High-Effieciency Toilet or HET? 

HET toilets on the market are designed to ensure both sustainable, efficient water use and a high level of user satisfaction with flushing performance.  A specification and certification was made available on January 24, 2007 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under a new program called Watersense.  The certifcation addresses residential toilets — like the one you are about to purchase for your remodel!!

Under the certification program, single flush toilets will not pass if their flush exceeds 1.28 gallons (4.8 liters) of water.  Note: 1.28 is a 20% reduction from that 1.6 gallon per flush model that was made mandatory with the ultra-low flush toilets in 1992!!  In addition the new HET toilets must be able to handle a greater “load” than the former ULF :-)  Dual flush have similar requirements.  

So will it all go down you ask?  Well studies have shown that a typical loading is 350g, and ranges as high as 450g.  HETs must be capable of digesting 350g.  In order to achieve an EPA WaterSense label, a high-efficiency toilet must be able to completely clear all “test media” from the toilet in a single flush 4 out of 5 times.   Oh, and what is this test media comprised of you ask?  I know some of you want to try this at home…Well, try soybean paste (35.5% water, 33.8% soybean, 18.5% rice, and 12.2% salt) in the form of a sausage,  and last but not least four loosely crumpled balls of toilet paper (no brand specified, but they do require 1-ply).

And who makes high-efficiency toilets (HETs), and what is the price range:

American Standard - FloWise ($359 list)

Caroma - Adelaide, Bondi, Caravelle, Colonial, Royale, and Sydney models

                                          

Kohler - Cimarron EcoSmart ($338 list), Highline Pressure Lite ($508 list), San Raphael Power Litev($986 list), and Wellsworth Pressure Lite ($442 list)

                            

Sterling (Kohler Company) - Karsten, Rockton, and Stanton brands

Toto - Aquia Dual Max ($395-454 list)

Vitra - EverGreen model

To close out, here is some fun Toilet Talk/Facts that are also pretty serious:

• Watersense estimates there are 222 million residential toilets in the US.
• 10 million new toilets are sold each year for installation
• Residential toilets account for approximately 30% of indoor residential water use = 2.1 trillion gallons of water consumed annually
• Each toilet gets flushed approx. 6.8X per day
• When 10% of existing toilets get replaced with HETs the total water savings could be approx. 246 million gallons/day, or a mind blowing 89.7 billion gallons/year
• If a family of four replaced a 3.5gpf toilet made between 1980 and 1994 with Watersense labeled toilet, they could save more than $90 annually on their water bill.  Savings could be 2X as much on a pre-1980 5.0gpf model!

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COUNTERTOPS: 12 materials to choose from…which are eco-friendly?

Selecting a countertop is a really tough thing to during a remodel.  You will likely need to select it prior to selecting your cabinets.  There are many many options.  Coral Nafie wrote an internet blog posting of which some contents we are using below.  In addition to the wonderful writing from Coral, we have added a bit more of a green spin so that you can get a feel for which are more eco-friendly below:

                              

1. Granite Counters

Granite is the countertop material of choice when there are no other things to think about - like money. It defines elegance in a kitchen. The beauty of the stone contributes to the beauty of even the most modest kitchen.
Pros: holds up to heat; comes in beautiful colors; looks permanent and substantial.
Cons: very expensive, requires lots of maintenance, including periodic sealing; absorbs stains; can crack; limited range of colors available.
Eco-Friendly:   Very low.   Not renewable.  Once it is removed from the earth is cannot be easily reused.   Be sure to use low-VOC sealant, look for a source that is near you to cut down on transportation, and seek out remnant slabs.

2. Engineered Stone

Engineered stone is composed of quartz particals. It is available in a larger range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. It’s easy to maintain, without the annual sealing required by natural stone. Brands on the market are DuPont Zodiaq®, Cambria Quartz, and Silestone.
Pros: resistant to stain and acid; easy care.
Cons: Expensive.
Eco-Friendly:   Usage of color pigments and resin don’t make this product super friendly.  Mining of the quartz clearly has an impact on the environment.        

3. Solid Surface

Because solid surface counters are just what they’re called, solid, any scratches can be sanded out. The countertops are custom-made to your specifications by companies such as Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone.
Pros: comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns; seamless; stain resistant.
Cons vulnerable to hot pans and stains which can damage the surface; can be moderately expensive.
Eco-Friendly:  No-VOCs, but the jury is out.  Clearly not as green as products such as IceStone, otherwise they would have the certifications like those of IceStone.

4. Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean. Add to that inexpensive and you’ve got a really good choice for countertops for the average home. Because it’s installed a section at a time, it can be done by most resourceful homeowners.
Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean; wide range of price, color, texture and design.
Cons: counter surface is uneven; tiles can easily chip or crack; grout lines become stained; custom-designed tiles are very expensive.
Eco-Friendly:  Some ceramic tile is made from recycled content such as old lightbulbs, bottles and porcelain.  It is biodegradable, and use low-VOC adhesive.

5. Laminates

Laminate counters bear trademarks such as Formica, Nevamar, and Wilsonart. They’re made of plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that’s easy to clean. The pieces are cut to size and finished on the ends.
Pros: you can buy laminates in lots of colors; easy to maintain; durable; inexpensive.
Cons: scratches and chips are almost impossible to repair; seans show; end finishing and front edge choices can be pricey.
Eco-Friendly:  Resins used may include urea formaldehyde, look for laminates that advertise that they do NOT.   Also look for the use of recycled plastic.

6. Wood or Butcher Block

Wood countertops offer a beautiful warm look and are available in a wide range of colors and finishes. Hardwoods such as maple and oak are most often used as countertop woods.
Pros: easy to clean; smooth; can be sanded and resealed as needed.
Cons: can be damaged by water and stains over time; scratches must be oiled or sealed according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Eco-Friendly:  Look for wood with FSC certification, and use of low-VOC sealants and water-based finishes

7. Stainless Steel Counters

For a really contemporary and industrial look for your kitchen, stainless steel is a good choice. They are heat resistant and durable. Because they’re constructed to your specifications, you can have a seamless countertop.
Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean.
Cons: Expensive; noisy; may dent; fabrication is expensive; you can’t cut on it.
Eco-Friendly: Look for recycled steel, because mining and refining steel uses a large amount of energy and pollutes the environment. 

8. Soapstone Counters

Soapstone is generally dark gray in color and has a smooth feel. It is often seen in historic homes but is also used in modern homes as both a countertop and sink material.
Pros: rich, deep color; smooth feel; somewhat stain resistant.
Cons: requires regular maintenance with applications of mineral oil; may crack and darken over time.
Eco-Friendly: Barely more friendly than Granit as soapstone is mined from the surface, but some areas where soapstone is mined is not only impacting the environment, it is impacting animals - such as tiger habitats in India.  Soapstone is a material that is definitely harder to come by in the world, and diverse places are being impacted by searches for soapstone - please use fair trade merchants.

9. Marble

Because of it’s extremely high price tag, marble is not often seen on the countertops of whole kitchens. To get the luxurious look, use it on an island or inset at a baking center. Marble requires constant maintenance, as it easily stains. Some new sealers retard staining.
Pros: waterproof; heatproof; beautiful.
Cons: expensive; porous; stains easily unless professionally sealed; can scratch; may need resealing periodically as per manufacturer.
Eco-Friendly:  Same as Granite above.

10. Concrete Counters

If you have countertops in unusual shapes, concrete may be a good choice, as they’re often cast right in your kitchen. The high price tag may be beyond most people’s budget.  It is very important to have them sealed.
Pros: heat and scratch resistant; can be color-tinted; looks exotic and unusual; new treatments eliminate cracking; additives reduce porosity; new finishes are more decorative.
Cons: mid to high range on cost due to custom work; cracking is possible; can look somewhat industrial; porous but can be sealed.
Eco-Friendly:  The aggregate mixed with cement and water should be recycled for concrete to count as green.  Also look for low-VOC sealers.

11. Glass

Glass offers a sleek, modern style that doesn’t have to look like a bland glass tabletop. You can find various colors and different textures to give it some distinction. Glass countertops are sturdy enough to stand up to their role however you’ll still want to be sure you avoid dropping something large and heavy on them.
Eco-Friendly:   If made from recycled glass.

12. Composite & Recycled Materials

Composite and recycled materials deliver some interesting alternatives for countertop selection. Some are made from recycled paper and combined with resins to form a surface that’s hard yet warmer than stone, and others are made from recycled glass held together with either cement or resin.  The eco-friendly nature of these choices may also give you the satisfaction of having helped the environment.  Some of the companies producing recycled paper products using a phenolic resin, or products made from recycled glass, cement and plastics include: Richlite, IceStone, Vetrazzo, EnviroGlas, Paperstone, Squak Mountain Stone and EcoTop.
Eco-Friendly:  Highly eco-friendly.  Do look for low-VOC resin usage, and in the case of paper products look for FSC certification.

                            

Related Articles on GetWithGreen:

- Watch the making of eco-friendly terrazzo countertop
- First there was Paperstone, now there is EcoTop
- Concrete from Sonoma Cast Stone (Part 1 of 2)
- Concrete from VitraStone (Part 2 of 2)

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APPLIANCES: Whirlpool Receives 2007 Energy Star Partner Award

When selecting your new appliances, make sure are looking for the Energy Star, and one other thing to look for are those manufacturers who have received the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence.

Today in the financial earnings announcement, Whirlpool announced reception of the 2007 ENERGY STAR(R) Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This award is given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding environmental leadership year after year, while sustaining product and marketing excellence. This unique honor represents Whirlpool Corporation’s eighth consecutive ENERGY STAR Award.  Other awards include:

• Seven-time ENERGY STAR Appliance Partner of the Year Award since 1998
• Designed and built first top-loading clothes washer specifically for ENERGY STAR program
• Desinged and built new dishwasher for ENERGY STAR program
• Engineered the Conquest refrigerator to exceed federal standards by 35%
• Government of Canada’s ENERGY STAR Manufacturer of the Year, 2003
• Inclusion on List of Most Socially Responsible Companies, Global Finance Magazine, January 2004
• Named the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy’s “Energy Partner of the Year” four years in a row
• U.S. Department of Energy Michael C. Thompson Award, 2003

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SWIMMING POOL: Thumbs up for heating your pool via solar?

This is the first post of many that focuses on solar heating for your pool.  We wanted to start you out with an article that offers you two simple reasons why you should think seriously about it!

Why Solar Heating for your Swimming Pool?

 

Check back soon and GetWithGreen because we will be providing a comprehensive list of solar pool heating products. Leave a Comment if you think solar is the way to go or not!

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FLOORING: Thinking bamboo floors…here is the definitive list of suppliers

Bamboo Flooring

 

Research will quickly tell you that bamboo is actually not a wood, but a grass.  Bamboo is a grass that regenerates itself within 4-6 years, thus making it an excellent renewable resource. Ultimately to make it a green product, we all need to make sure that forest lands are not cut down in order to plant this renewable plant that offers a green flooring product.  Below is a list of providers of manufacturers of bamboo flooring products - virtually all are from China. 

 

We have noted several bamboo flooring suppliers that in our research stand out.  We don’t have experience working with bamboo flooring suppliers, but we wanted to call out those that were the most informative to us - so look for our notes below.  Here is the list of bamboo flooring manufacturers:

 

                                

 

123 Bamboo  - Chinese bamboo flooring company selling direct and through distribution

Central Bamboo Flooring, Inc. - offering solid and engineered bamboo flooring from China out of San Jose, CA

 

Bamboo Hardwoods, Inc.  - One to check out!  Informative site from this Seattle company, offering various types of bamboo flooring (engineered, solid, woven, AND other FSC Hardwoods).   Bamboo harvested thoughtfully in Vietnam.

 

Bamboo Mountain, Inc.   - One to check out! Excellent website with informative information and a clear focus on providing the consumer with Read more

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PAINT: Green No-VOC Paint from Pittsburgh Paints

Add Pittsburg Paints Pure Performance brand paints to the list of Green paint products for you to choose from.  This paint has received a Green Seal Class A Certification.

Article on Pittsburgh eco-friendly green paints

                                  

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TUBULAR SKYLIGHTS: List of manufacturers - turn out the lights and save now

Skylights are likely something you are considering during your remodel.    Skylights enable you to turn on fewer lights during the day, and offer natural lighting (”daylighting”) to your home.  There are a host of solution providers that offer “tubular skylights” or what are now called “daylighting systems” for home remodeling situations where space is an issue, or perhaps there is considerable distance between your roof and the point where you want the light (e.g. a tall attic).  For this situation, a tubular skylight is ideal to “pipe” in natural lighting.

A daylighing system/tubular skylight is composed of three parts: an acrylic rooftop dome and flashing, a reflective light pipe, and an interior diffuser (images below from ODL, Inc.). With most of these products, the reflective tube can bend around obstructions, or connect nonaligned roof and ceiling penetrations. Some products include other features such as compact-fluorescent lights or ventilation fans.

                                         

Below is a list of manufacturers.  If you have experience with any of them please leave a Comment for GetWithGreen readers!

Solatube International, Inc. - Brighten Up Series or SolaMaster Series

HUVCO, Daylighting Solutions - offer an online tool to configure a skylight

ODL, Inc. - ODL Tubular Skylights 

Velux - Sun Tunnel Tubular Skylights

DayLite, Natural Lighting Technologies - DayLite Tube

Daylighting Technologies - Sun-Dome Tubular Skylights

Sun-Tek Manufacturing - Sun-Tek Tubular Skylights

Sun Pipe Co., Inc. - Sun Pipe Tubular Skylights

Sunscope Natural Lighting Systems - Sunscope Tubular Skylights

True Lite Skylights, Inc.

Tubular Skylight, Inc.

                       

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Landscaping: Green ideas following your remodel (from water to lighting)

Landscaping is almost always necessary following your remodel.  As you are doing your planningand you are thinking green, there are many approaches you can take. This article discusses some of these approaches and addresses:

• Selecting the right plants
• Plant shade vs. structural shade
• Water saving tips to consider
• Green products for the yard

Green landscaping following your remodel

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