AUDIO-VISUAL: Knoll Systems amplifier wins Electronic House

We covered the energy efficiency of the Knoll Systems multi-zone audio amplifiers earlier this year.  Just this week the company won Electronic House’s 2008 Product of the Year Award for the GSZ67 multi-room audio controller amplifier!  Congratulations!!

The GSZ67 is an amplifier that controls multiple speaker “zones” in your newly remodeled home.  The multi-room controller allows you to plug in 7 different audio sources (e.g. Sonus, iPod, Sirius, XM, Comcast, etc.) and play a different audio source in up to 6 different places in your home (or backyard). 

The significance of the GSZ67 is the innovative Knoll Systems Eco-System circuitry that, unlike other multi-zone amplifiers, dramatically reduces power consumption when zones in your home are not being used!   This reduction in energy usage, also contributes less to heat creation, further reducing your cooling needs.

If A/V is part of your remodel, take a look at the GSZ67.  We also hear there are some more great power saving audio innovations coming from Knoll at the CEDIA show in September!!

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LANDSCAPING: Smart irrigation technologies for your yard

Soil moisture sensors and weather-based irrigation controllers (such as our favorite Cyber-Rain) allow for much more efficient watering of your landscape.    But, did you know that there are certified professionals Nationally who can help you optimize your landscape watering with these technologies to save both your pocketbook AND the environment!?

It is true, there are designers, contractors, and auditors across the US, who have been certified under the EPA’s WaterSense program for their expertise in building landscaping systems that make efficient use of water.   The WaterSense program offers a list of these landscape experts, and the criteria by which they were certified.  Clicking on the following link will take you to EPA’s list of WaterSence certified professions.

According to the EPA, homeowners could reduce irrigation water use by 15%, or 9,000 gallons annually, by designing landscape irrigation systems using certified professionals.  That is just about equivalent to leaving your hose running nonstop for nearly a day!

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News: Raintube Achieves Rare Eco-Manufacturing Milestone

GetwithGreen.com would like to congratulate RainTube who recently achieved the Gold Level Cradle-To-Cradle Certification from MBDC. RainTube is one of only eleven in world to reach this environmental milestone.

MBDC was founded in 1995 to promote the “Next Industrial Revolution” through the new paradigm called Cradle-to-Cradle Design implementing eco-effective principles. Instead of designing products based on the ?take-make-waste? model of the last century (‘cradle-to-grave’), Cradle-to-Cradle Design helps to eliminate waste entirely.

For more information on MBDC, visit their website at: http://www.mbdc.com/

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TOILETS: Caroma introduces Sydney high efficiency toilet (HET)

If you haven’t replaced your old toilet you must.  The old toilets waste incredible amounts of water each time your family pulls the handle, and your toilet runs for a minimal time with each flush.  The new high efficiency toilets on the market work amazingly well. 

Earlier this month Caroma announced its newest high efficiency dual flush toilet (HET): the Sydney Low Profile.  The Low Profile is ideal for installations that require a shorter toilet due to space restrictions, such as under a counter or where a grab bar is located above the tank. It is a high efficiency toilet that uses 1.6/0.8 gallons per flush (full/half flush).  The toilet is 26 1/2″ tall. 

Two configurations of the Sydney Low Profile have already been WaterSense-approved, taking Caroma to 36, more than any other manufacturer on the market — according to Caroma!

The two button dual flush toilets give the user a choice: half flush for liquid or full flush for solids. Compared with an older 3.5 gallon toilet, a family of four could save nearly 18,000 gallons of water per year by switching to a Caroma dual flush toilet. A city of 10,000 people could save more than five million gallons of water per year with dual flush toilets.

The Sydney Low Profile is available in six bowl configurations including two Round Front Plus options, two elongated options, an Easy Height Round Front Plus, and an Easy Height Elongated.  All Caroma dual flush toilets feature wash down flushing, a large trapway (nearly double the industry average) to virtually eliminate clogging, and a 12? rough-in or 10-12? adjustable rough-in.

The new Low Profile is now available in white and biscuit (special order).  Prices on the web are about $349.

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