frigidaire. the affinity series laundry set is rated for a modified energy factor (mef) of 2.31 and a water factor (wf) of 3.8, or about 28% and 97% better than current thresholds, respectively. the washer offers spin cycles up to 1,100 rpm and purports a 25-minute wash cycle among 25 wash options, including an energy saver mode that automatically reduces water temperature. the 3.5-cubic-foot-capacity unit offers a stainless steel tub and drum. 800.374.4432. www.frigidaire.com.

Product Review: Clothes Washers

Special cycles, smart sensors, and new designs help the latest crop of washers save more energy and water than ever before.


 

News

 
 

Inside EcoHome Online

 
a rendering of a fab-homes passive house, which are designed to consume up to 90% less energy. www.fab-homes.com

Seven Green Trends for 2010

Sustainable building experts offer predictions for the year ahead.

The company’s LEED-Silver home in Kennett Square, Pa., boasts an insulated precast foundation, SIPs construction, passive solar design, and sustainable timber framing.

On the Front Lines: Amy Cornelius, Hugh Lofting Timber Framing

Pennsylvania builder extols timber framing’s sustainable side.

ge. currently in testing, the company’s smart-grid-enabled appliances will communicate between the utility and the homeowner to ensure appliances are operating at the optimum time of day, lessening the load on the power grid and saving the homeowner money. for example, the refrigerator will hold the high-energy defrost cycle until off-peak hours; the water heater will operate in its most efficient mode during high-demand periods; and appliances will shift to power-saving modes until rates are lower. accompanying this launch will be the introduction of a home energy manager (shown), which will monitor energy use throughout the home. the 7-inch touchscreen display provides a graphical interface to view real-time and long-term energy consumption, as well as water consumption, solar energy generation (if applicable), weather forecasts, and more. www.ge.com. –k.t.

Green Products From the 2010 International Builders' Show

12 product introductions that contribute to a sustainably built home.

 

Case Studies

Product Reviews

New Products

EcoHome Magazine Digital Edition

Welcome to the digital edition of EcoHome magazine, the housing professional’s source for green products and technology.

 

the magazine

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

EcoHome helps residential builders, remodelers, designers, and product specifiers compete in the green building market by delivering clear, accurate, and actionable content on green building products and product trends, technical innovations, and building science. EcoHome is the professional's source for the products and practices that contribute to high-quality, practical, and long-lasting sustainable building projects.

 

In This Issue

 
 

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Network with like-minded pros in EcoHome’s LinkedIn Group.

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Follow EcoHome’s news feed on Twitter for updates on green building and products.

 
 

EcoHome Update

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House Plan Store

Browse 17,000 house plans

HousingCrisis.com

Coming to an apartment near you? Rent concessions. All of this and more on http://www.housingcrisis.com !

 

Sustainable Design Tips from Architect Sarah Susanka

Nigel Maynard speaks with architect Sarah Susanka at the 2010 International Builders' Show.