Bottled water has got to go. Every day millions of status thirsty consumers gulp-down water shipped from far flung places like Mt. Fuji, France and the Poconos. The fossil fuel consumed in shipping and the bottle manufacturing process is almost criminal. Add to it, the fact that 8 out of 10 plastic bottles end up in the landfill and you can quickly see why bottled water has become a major ecological problem. (more) (more…)

A great place to commence your fight against global warming is by equipping your home with Energy Star rated appliances. Start with one of the biggest energy guzzlers in any abode, the refrigerator, which works 24/7 keeping all that tofu, yogurt and Red Bull cold and fresh.

Consumer Reports GreenerChoices.org provides a good list of refrigerators of all types and configurations with pricing and energy efficiency ratings.

Pictured at right is the economical, Amana 19 cu. ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator
(ABB1921DEW), which retails for $749 @ amana.com rated a Best Buy by Greener Choices.

A lot of people are researching space heaters due to the massive ad campaign running nationwide by the marketers of the Heat Surge space heater. We thought we’d provide a couple of alternatives to those wishing to spend less, or those seeking a heater with good reviews and highly rated design.

If you’re dead-set on getting a flueless electric fireplace fireplacedirect.com has a lot of options.  Choices range from the very expensive (it’s all about the mantel), to Heat Surge comparable smaller, or movable units.  Remember, any 1,440 btu electric heater will give off the same amount of heat (they heat a 200 to 600 square ft. room).  Make sure you fully evaluate the range of settings, fan capability and if they have an adjustable thermostat to keep the temperature where you like it.

We find the site ConsumerSearch to be a good aggregator of product reviews. Here are a couple of more inexpensive space heaters that will get the job done if heat, not esthetics, is the primary issue. Their recommendations:

• DeLonghi SafeHeat Micathermic HHP1500 – if you have a modern decor and are looking for a convection heater, which is highly rated for its: slim profile, silent operation, reliable performance and light weight. Uses the mineral, mica, as its heating element, has two heat settings and can be wall mounted. $ 149.99 @ amazon.com
• If you’re looking for a less expensive option, the Holmes HQH319-U Quartz Tower Heater with 1-Touch Electronic Thermostat may be a good choice. This model is a radiant heater best designed for small spaces. Radiant heaters heat objects directly in-front of them in a room. It has two quartz heating elements and like most space heaters, 750 and 1,500-watt settings. $59.99 @ sears.com

When shopping for a space heater remember that almost all heaters provide a maximum of 1,500-watts and 5,120 btu’s. This is the maximum amount of wattage allowed through a typical household outlet. Remember to put your space heater safely away from drapes and flammable objects and fabrics. And place it under a window or other cold air or draft producing source to warm cold air as it enters the room. Unvented propane or kerosene heaters should never be used in the home.

Remember that space heaters are not an economical replacement for insulation — weather-stripping and thermostats that can give you control over the various zones / rooms of your home. The savings a space heater provides to the homeowner is only when you can augment the heat of the room you are in, while lowering the thermostats in the rest of the house. Electricity is still an expensive and inefficient way to heat a home.

previous post on Heat Surge

Winter’s coming and home heating costs are skyrocketing as oil and gas companies ratchet-up prices for another profitable season. One way to save significant money on your home heating bills is to install a pellet stove that burns pellets made from compacted sawdust, woodchips, bark, corn or other biomass materials, which are almost completely, and very efficiently, burned with this technology. Pellet stoves are typically used to heat one room of 1,000 to 1,800 square feet and pellets can sell (Sam’s Club) for as little as $187 a ton. A typical home will burn approximately 3 tons of pellets a winter (source: smartmoney.com). Supplementing your standard oil or electric heating system with a pellet stove can save you significant cash over the course of a cold winter.

The Europeans are way out in front of the US in the pellet stove market but there are American alternatives. The Hearth Focus, pictured above, is the top of the line in US Stove’s alternative heating appliances. This model features:

• high temperature powder coat paint
• stainless steel hearth plate and trim
• digital control board with built-in diagnostics
• cast iron queen ann legs
• 21 preset variables that are adjustable for fuels of the future

Along with its high-efficicency, the Hearth Focus is EPA-Certified to set itself apart from the rest. Heat Capacity 1,300 sq. with a 60 lbs. hopper capacity (52,300 btu’s/ hr.). Dimensions: 29″ W x 31″ H x 28″ D. Weight 309 lbs.

Sold only at dealers for $2,485 – find a dealer
More on this stove @ usstove.com

In Michigan you can get one for $1,900 @ d&m natural

Another good article on choosing a pellet stove @ oldhouseweb.com

Oh, the woes of Teflon. Dangerously bad for the environment (and potentially humans), but so much easier to clean than stainless steel. Now, the best of both worlds is up for grabs thanks to the Home Shopping Network.

The first cookware to use Thermolon non-stick coating, the new GreenPan line is ceramic based and doesn’t contain any PTFE – the chemical found in traditional degradable coating, or eco-hazzard chemical PFOA. Designed to be the last cookware you buy, this six-piece set doesn’t wear over time and the super non-stick release works up to a sizzling 850 degrees.

Bonus: Throw anything in, and skip the oil. Because nothing sticks, you’ll be cooking up healthier meals minus the once-necessary butters, fats or oils.

$99.90 for 6-piece set on HSN

Who wouldn’t love Williams-Sonoma’s Ecopod Recycling System? Chic and sleek, this manually-operated bottle crusher happily takes residence in a kitchen corner, churning out 50 squashed plastic or aluminum beverage containers in a plastic “pod” that’s easily transferred to your curbside recycling bin. Dressed in brushed stainless steel and plastic, the unit is available in black or white to match your décor, and offers up a space for newspapers, glass bottles, plastic baggies and other recyclables until that time of the week. $328.

Check it out @ Williams-Sonoma.com (available online and in catalog only.)

Meet the uber-fridge. While at a green building expo, we recently took a peek at this poster-boy for efficient, modern, home refrigeration. Pictured at right is the 30″ Liebherr Model #: CS1650. A few, features:

• fully Energy Star compliant
• 11.3 cubic foot capacity
• full stainless steel cabinet and doors with ergonomic handle design and swing function
• 2 dual compressors designed for quiet, if not silent operation,variable speeds and energy efficiency
• thin wall construction – wider interior
• no false back wall – deeper interior
• precise digital controls to conserve energy and preserve food
• dual refrigerator systems to optimize control, save energy, and separate air flow
• BioFresh technology maintains fruits in vegetables in the storage drawers under optimal temp and humidity conditions
• SuperFrost System for quick freezing
• glass door shelves (glass holds cold much better than plastic)
• 2 one gallon storage spaces on the door
• factory icemaker
• doors are field reversible without a kit
• freezer’s FrostSafe System prevents cold air from escaping when door is open
• full 2 year warranty on all parts and labor and a full 5 year warranty on parts and labor for items in Sealed System

American refrigerator manufacturers should checkout the design features of this sleek, European challenger to Viking.
Update: see this post’s accompanying comments for customer complaints and notes.
as pictured $3,699 @ warners’ stellian
more info and dealer locations @ almo specialty products

As an attendee of yesterday’s Day One of a 2-day event at the Javits Center, I was walking the green walk, thanks to Schein Media and NY House, sponsors of the Green Pavilion of the BuildingsNY Show. While the rest of the show was awash with blue carpet, this special section of the show rolled out the green carpet for exhibitors along the long, green, aisle. With a kick-off presentation by Donald Trump, Jr and his sister, Ivanka, and a full program of educational seminars, the conference was abuzz with info and technology regarding New York’s residential and commercial building biz.

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Jonathan Schein (President and Publisher), Paul McGinniss and other members of the Schein Media and NYHouse team. Jonathan’s vision and views regarding the green building industry are bright and inspiring — follow along with his “two hot properties” — the beautiful monthly, New York House and his new, sister publication New Jersey and Company, to keep up with all the latest in green building news and product innovations.

My senses were on overload in the convention center, but I managed to glean a lot of solid green info from many of the exhibitors in the hall; here are a few of the standouts: (more…)

No, the idea isn’t to use more water, this double dishwasher lets you use less so you can do those small loads and save water by using two independently controlled drawers. By using only one drawer you can save half the energy and water of a normal cycle while still getting those dishes done when you want them done. The Fisher & Paykel DD603SS dishwasher let’s you separate delicate items into a separate drawer from pots and pans and run on a different cycle.

The unit runs water through the detergent and dissolves it evenly before it enters the dishwasher creating less spotting. It’s Energy Star approved and has several water-saving wash cycles. Water conservation can be significant, with this double dishwasher using as little as 2 gallons of water per drawer (old school dishwasher can use up to 8 gallons of H20). Ergonomically superior sliding drawers save space, have fewer moving parts and look great. When you adjust the cycle this model actually adjusts the water pressure, unlike many conventional dishwashers which only change duration time. On the Integrated model you can choose a finish to match your kitchen decor.
fisher & paykel

fisher & paykel store locator (it’s carried at many Home Depots)

AJMadison for example of particular model and cost info.