Speaker Proposals Wanted for Ecobuild America 2010

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Speaker Proposals Wanted for Ecobuild America 2010

February 9, 2010

Deadline Is March 15

 

Ecobuild America, sponsored by the National Institute of Building Sciences, educates design and construction professionals about how to improve the built environment. This unique conference and exhibit not only introduces new strategies and materials to create high-performance, sustainable structures, but also provides the technology to do it faster and more profitably.

Attendees include the entire project team from architects, engineers, owners and facility managers to contractors and specifiers who want to learn to better design, construct, specify and manage their projects to be sustainable and smart. Targeted training is available for commercial, institutional, government, industrial and residential architecture, engineering and construction professionals, as well as educators.

Ecobuild America is interested in receiving proposals for conference seminars or panel discussions that feature real-world, solutions-based case studies and/or management discussions. Speakers may submit proposals for presentations that fit within the four conference tracks:

1. Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Information Technology
2. Building Performance & Energy Efficiency
3. Green Building & Sustainable Design
4. Sustainable Sites & Infrastructure

If you are interested in speaking at Ecobuild America 2010, please complete an online submission form by March 15.

Accepted proposals will be notified by April 15. Any questions can be directed to Alyson Wentz, conference and marketing manager, at alyson.wentz@aecst.com or (267) 664-2059

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Speaker Proposals Wanted for Ecobuild America 2010

Speakman Showerheads: A Water Saving, Low Flow Version

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

 

If you’ve ever stayed at a nice hotel, chances are you’ve used a Speakman showerhead. They’re the ones with multiple jets, and a little lever so that you can adjust the way that the showerhead sprays. They give you a nice, quality shower, and they look pretty fancy too.

But what about us environmentalists who want to save a little bit of water when we shower? The standard Speakman showerhead uses 2.5 gallons per minute. That’s much lower than showerheads manufactured in the 1980s and before, but it is the maximum amount of water allowed for a showerhead these days. Sort of eco-neutral in my book.

But Speakman now makes a 2 gallon per minute showerhead, in six different varieties.

That means that you can get the luxury of a real Speakman, and still meet LEED green building standards.

When you buy a showerhead that uses less water, you’re saving in two different ways.

First, you’re saving water, because the showerhead uses less of it. Duh, right?

Second, you’re also saving on your energy bill! It takes energy to make hot water, and I’m betting that you usually take a hot shower. Whether or not you have a gas or electric water heater, you’ll be using less hot water when you use a water saving showerhead, and that will help with your gas or electric bill.

And there’s the added benefit that your hot water lasts longer, which is important for homes with teenagers, or just several family members who all need to take a shower at the same time in the morning.

Anyone used one of these yet? I use a different brand of efficient showerhead, which I like.

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Simonton Products Can Now Be Ordered to Meet New 2010 Energy Star Guidelines

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

 

PARKERSBURG, W. VA. – On January 4th, 2010 the Energy Star® program introduced new criteria to improve energy performance levels of windows and doors for all regions of the country. As an Energy Star partner for the past eleven years, Simonton Windows® is prepared for the changes and has introduced Energy Star zone-specific packages for each product the company produces.

“We have made sure that every Simonton product line has an Energy Star specific glass package that can be easily ordered for each of the four climate zones within the program,” says Tony Eschmeyer, senior product manager for Simonton Windows.

Named for each Energy Star climate zone, (Northern, North-Central, South-Central and Southern) Simonton’s new Energy Star glass packages provide the optimal balance of thermal efficiency and value. Each package is optimized for the particular product line and geographic zone in which the window or door will be installed. Selecting the right glass package is as simple as:

1. Specifying the Simonton windows and doors you want.

2. Stating that you want ENERGY STAR qualified products.

3. Indicating your climate zone.

The simplest way homeowners and building industry professionals can gain information on ordering 2010 Energy Star qualified Simonton vinyl windows and doors is by visiting www.Simonton.com/EnergyStar. “Our dedicated web site makes it fast and easy for people to gain information on Simonton Energy Star qualified products,” says Eschmeyer. “We even offer a free climate zone identifier list download (by U.S. county), along with Energy Star consumer brochures to assist homeowners, remodelers and builders.”

Simonton also supports the 2010 Energy Star guidelines and pending legislation that would tie them in with the current federal energy tax credit program underway through 2010. “Different areas of the country experience different weather extremes,” says Eschmeyer. “It makes sense that windows and doors should be constructed and rated to handle the unique weather conditions in northern climates versus the southern coastline.

“The 2010 Energy Star guidelines are a positive step toward designating energy performance levels for all regions of the country within the four-zone Energy Star map. At Simonton, we’re ready to supply top-quality windows and doors that meet the 2010 Energy Star guidelines no matter what region a person resides in throughout the country.”

Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR® qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. For the second year in a row, Simonton ranked “Highest in Builder and Remodeler Satisfaction among Residential Window and Patio Door Manufacturers” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction StudySM. Simonton was also ranked #1 in quality in the 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use Studies sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best-In-Class Awards from Market Research Associates.

Founded in 1946, Simonton’s hallmark has been to deliver its made-to-order products in five days or less. Part of the home and security business of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Simonton delivers award-winning products nationwide to key markets throughout the 48 continental United States. For information, call (800) SIMONTON (1-800-746-6686) or visit www.simonton.com.

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Simonton Products Can Now Be Ordered to Meet New 2010 Energy Star Guidelines

James Hardie Enters Commercial Market With Reveal Panels

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Manufacturer James Hardie has officially entered the commercial and multifamily market with the introduction of  Hardie Reveal Panel, a contemporary-style fiber-cement panel that is 40% thicker than residential fiber-cement, the maker says, providing for a deeper reveal.

The company says the material is an alternative to more-expensive imported panels and offers faster installation compared to EIFS and stucco. Its smooth surface allows architects to utilize fiber-cement without having a residential wood-grain look. As part of the company’s HardieZone System, the material is engineered for the unique climate of its region.

Reveal Panels are backed by a 30-year limited warranty. They come primed and ready for paint; in 2010, they also will be available pre-finished with ColorPlus Technology in as many as 26 different colors, the firm states. –Victoria Markovitz

Original Post, Victoria Markovitz, E Build
James Hardie Enters Commercial Market With Reveal Panels

9 Unique & Eco Green Gift Ideas

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

 

Looking for unique eco friendly Christmas gifts for the environmentalist in your life? Here is a selection of green gifts to cover ideas from your office gift trade to your loved ones. Regardless who you are shopping for, remember a key to giving unique eco friendly gifts is to make sure they are both practical and usable gifts.

What’s the point of buying an eco friendly gift if it sits up on a shelf in the back of a closet? That’s a waste of energy to produce and ship the gift. If you choose usable eco friendly gifts wisely, you’ll be able to benefit the environment by your gift being used. It’s a win-win for the shopper and the receiver. Oh, and the environment, of course.

Here are 9 green gift ideas that will avoid storage in the back of the closet and you can feel good about giving!

1. Solio Portable Hybrid Solar Charger

This portable solar charger is pretty cool. It’s great for someone always on the go, and always saying the battery is dying. The solar charger is topped with a carabiner and has a durable Lexan shell. So, clip it on a belt loop, bike, or even a briefcase. You don’t have to be in a car or at the desk to charge that cell phone. This solar charger doesn’t have to actively be in the sun to charge a device. It holds the charge for up to one year.

2. Envirocycle Tumbling Composter

Here’s the ultimate gift for recycling—a composter. This Envirocycle Tumbling Composter for $ 149.99 spins to aerate and mix the compost. Tumbling composters produce finished compost faster than standard composters. It’s a great eco friendly choice for a gift since it recycles food and lawn wastes and produces a great organic fertilizer for the lawn and garden.

3. Roadrunner Low Flow Shower Head

The Roadrunner Low Flow Shower Head for $39.95 makes a perfect Christmas gift for the environmentalists. Help them save water and money on their utility bills! This low flow shower head even has a sensor to monitor water temperature. It pauses the water flow when it’s warm to prevent wasting water.

4. Raised Bed Garden Planter

Do you need any unique Christmas gift ideas for locavores? You know, shoppers at the weekend farmer’s market looking for local produce. Here’s an eco friendly gift so they can grow their own organic food. The Raised Bed Garden Planter for $299.99 is great for small spaces, even a patio, deck, rooftop or balcony. It’s a 4 x 4 growing space. That’s perfect for the grower to get a lot of produce in a confined space, especially if they use the square foot gardening method. It comes with a watering system, too.

5. Kleen Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Do you know anyone still drinking out of plastic water bottles? This Kleen Kanteen stainless reusable water bottle is a great gift for $17.99, especially for the office Christmas party. Help folks cut down on trash, and give them a non-leaching, toxin-free way to hydrate.

6. Reel Mower

A reel push mower makes the perfect unique Christmas gift. If you’re shopping for the person that has everything, chances are they don’t have one of these reel mowers. Reel mowers, also, make great gifts to newly married or engaged couples, and new homeowners. Prices range based on models, but here’s a Brill push reel mower for $249.99.

7. Bamboo Kitchen Products

Bamboo is becoming more and more popular as a renewable resource. Check out this line of bamboo kitchen products from Bambu. Contemporary in design, responsibly made, and affordably priced. They’re great kitchen products for everyday use, and impressive for a green dinner party!

8. Donate Money for an Environmental Cause

Here’s another green gift — donate money to a good cause. There are a lot of agencies working for environmental issues that will be more than happy to put your dollars to work. Two agencies you could consider are the Nature Conservancy and Trees for the Future. You can donate in someone’s name to help preserve the rain forest or plant a tree. Now, it’s not a gift in hand, so to speak. But, it’s still an eco friendly gift and you can decide the dollar amount you want to give.

Or readers, what’s your favorite environmental charity?

9. Reusable Gift Wrap

Don’t forget to be eco friendly when it comes to wrapping the gift. Here’s a gift that is truly respectable to “regift”– Lyziwraps reusable gift wrap. We found this gift wrap to be festive for the holidays but reusable for any occasion. They come in four different sizes and range from $6.00 to $10.00. Let the wrapping become part of the gift.

When giving eco friendly gifts think about the big picture, too, of giving practical, usable gifts. Things people are sure to use and not stick up on a shelf. It prevents waste. Giving eco friendly gifts supports your green ideas, but also, continues environmental stewardship by the gifts being used.

Do you have other ideas about green gifts that you’d like to give or receive?

Leave us a comment and tell us!

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