| Green building requires a multi-faceted approach. If | | | | systems, they've fared poorly in cold climates, where |
| builders focus primarily on installing green products, | | | | supplemental heating (usually electric resistance heat) |
| including finishes, appliances, and building components, | | | | must be used as back-up when temperatures drop |
| they may miss the point. While green products are | | | | below the balance point temperature. Not only does |
| important to constructing a green home, they | | | | the Acadia operate in lower outside air temperatures, |
| shouldn't be the only consideration. The benefits of | | | | it defrosts 82% less than a typical heat pump, which |
| green building - energy efficiency, water efficiency, | | | | saves additional energy. |
| durability, healthy indoor air -are achieved through | | | | Arch Wood Protection, Inc. FrameGuard Wood |
| effective design, construction, and installation, in | | | | FrameGuard mold-resistant indoor wood won the |
| addition to materials. | | | | NAHB Green Building Award for Green Product |
| In keeping with the many facets of green building, | | | | Marketing of the Year. It was the only green product |
| several attributes can be ascribed to green products. | | | | honored at the 2007 NAHB Green Building |
| In general, green products have less impact on the | | | | Conference. Arch Wood Protection, Inc. developed |
| environment and on the health of people exposed to | | | | the safe coating with three fungicides and a borate |
| them. More specifically, they may derive from | | | | compound?the same fungicides used in some cereals, |
| recycled or salvaged materials, renewable resources, | | | | coffee, and lotions, and the same borates used in |
| or responsibly managed forests. They may be | | | | some hand soaps and cosmetics. The FrameGuard |
| manufactured through processes that produce less | | | | coating is applied to interior wood, including trusses, |
| pollution. Once installed, they may reduce water and | | | | OSB, and plywood to inhibit termites, mold growth, |
| energy usage and emit fewer VOCs (volatile organic | | | | and fungal decay. It's been certified as a |
| compounds), which can affect occupant health. | | | | "low-emitting product" by GREENGUARD |
| One question on the minds of some builders is | | | | Environmental Institute (GEI). Besides having lower |
| whether environmental and health attributes come at | | | | emissions, FrameGuard wood is durable and grown on |
| the expense of performance. Can low-flow | | | | responsibly managed timberlands, all qualities that |
| showerheads provide as strong a spray as | | | | make it a green product. |
| conventional showerheads? Can no VOC paint resist | | | | PPG Pure Performance Paint |
| wear and tear? Improved technologies have enabled | | | | Interior paint has traditionally been notorious for |
| manufacturers to produce green products that not | | | | affecting indoor air quality. Some paints contain heavy |
| only meet performance expectations, but exceed | | | | metals, formaldehyde, and ethylene glycol, which are |
| them. The list of products below have been | | | | added as pigments, drying agents, or fungicides. |
| recognized in the building industry for performance | | | | Paints also contain solvents, which allow paint to |
| attributes and for contributing to improved energy | | | | evaporate to a solid film after it's applied to a |
| efficiency, water efficiency, durability, and indoor air | | | | surface. The solvents often contain VOCs, which can |
| quality. | | | | pose health risks to painters and homeowners who |
| Hallowell International Acadia Combined Heating and | | | | breathe the fumes. |
| Cooling System | | | | Several manufacturers now offer low or no VOC |
| Hallowell International's Acadia heating and cooling | | | | paint. One of these manufacturers, Pittsburgh Paints, |
| system won ASHRAE's Innovation Award for | | | | offers Pure Performance interior paint, the first paint |
| Heating. The Acadia is a "boosted" air-source heat | | | | to receive the Green Seal Class A rating for no VOC |
| pump that extracts heat from outdoor air and | | | | paints. The resins in Pure Performance are formulated |
| distributes it through ductwork, much like | | | | to be compatible with no VOC coalescent agents, |
| conventional heat pumps. What sets the Acadia apart | | | | whereas many other latex paint resins are combined |
| is its wide operating range of 0°F to 62°F. | | | | with coalescent agents that are considered to be |
| The Acadia's coefficient of performance (C.O.P.) is 2.0 | | | | VOCs. Pure Performance paint is therefore low odor. |
| to 4.1. While heat pumps have traditionally offered an | | | | It also contains a mold and mildew resistant additive |
| energy-efficient alternative to standard HVAC | | | | for durability. |