EcoHome Magazine: Devoted to the Latest Trends in Green Building Products and Technologies

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

The Week in Green: March 6-12

A roundup of green building news including appraisal woes for high-performance homes and final WaterSense specifications for showers.
KB Home, Lennar Kick Off Green Initiatives

Production builders plan to offer green features standard in certain markets.
Boulder, Colo., Solar Companies Wary of 'Community Solar Gardens' Bill

Mar. 6--Local solar installers are concerned that a new bill designed to allow "community solar gardens" in Colorado would hurt small solar companies and diminish financial support for rooftop solar arrays.

All articles in 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
Greenwashing
Building Science
EcoHome Digital Edition

Case Studies

Case Study: The Lofts at Cherokee Studios Brings Hip, Sustainable Living to Downtown L.A.
Through thoughtful décor and integrated design, the 12-unit West Hollywood condominium melds a musical past with a sustainable future.
Low-Impact Living in Texas Hill Country
Drawing energy from the sun and water from the rain, the "Tonalacalli" LEED-Platinum custom home in Austin lives in harmony with nature.
Case Study: Record-Breaking LEED Home in Eugene, Ore.
Arbor South’s The Sage infill house achieves a LEED-Platinum with a tight envelope and an array of resource-friendly features.

All articles in Case Studies

Product Reviews

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.
Product Review: Sheathing
Plywood vs. OSB: Which is the greener sheathing choice?
New & Notable Green Building Products
A selection of sustainable products, including ventilation fans, thin-film solar roofing, low-flow faucets, and energy monitoring.

All articles in Product Reviews

New Products

Builders' Show Exhibitors Tout Green Products
6 products for sustainable homes, including solar shingles, a water-conserving kitchen faucet, and a CFL dimmer.
Coming Soon: National Gypsum's Phase-Changing Drywall
ThermalCore panels moderate interior temperature fluctuations and act as a thermal mass.
GE Testing Smart Grid-Enabled Appliances
Kitchen and laundry equipment will communicate between the utility and the homeowner to ensure appliances are operating at the optimum time of day.

All articles in New Products

Keeping Them Honest

A guide to deciphering product specs, avoiding greenwashing, and navigating certification programs.

5 Criteria for Evaluating and Comparing Air Filters

Gaseous pollutants and particulate matter create an invisible pollutant soup in homes. The type of air filters you provide can have a lasting impact on indoor air quality.

More by Mark LaLiberte

EcoHome Magazine Digital Edition

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

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

Case Study: Net-Zero Home in Lewisville, Texas, Sets High-Performance Standard

GreenCraft Builders' latest Texas project blends well with its 60s-era neighborhood, while its high-performance features push the boundaries of modern sustainability.
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.
California Adopts Nation's First Green Building Code

Residential requirements, which go into effect in 2011, include water-conserving fixtures, smart irrigation controllers, and jobsite waste reduction.