Green will be the color of choice during ISH North America, Oct. 1-3, Atlanta, as the industry’s hottest topic wraps around educational seminars and other events throughout the show’s three-day run.

Green Seminars

ISH North America attendees have several options to hear about the latest in green-building technologies and renewable energy in a series of seminars beginning the first day of the show.

Well-known Plumbing & Mechanical columnist, John Siegenthaler will discuss, “Why Hydronic Distribution Systems Are A Deep Shade Of Green Technology,” 9-10:30 a.m., B312, Wednesday, Oct. 1. Thermal efficiency of boilers or furnaces only tells part of the story. Hydronics holds a significant advantage over forced air when it comes to the electrical energy both mechanical systems need to distribute heat. New circulator technology also promises to make hydronic heat as green as it gets.

Later that same day, Siegenthaler will also talk about the “Ten Trends That Will Shape The Future Of Hydronic Heating,” 3-4:30 p.m., B308. Every sector of the HVAC industry needs to determine how to contend with ever-escalating energy prices. Thanks to new hardware and design concepts, however, hydronic heat will be on the cutting edge of energy efficiency.

Another Plumbing & Mechanical columnist, Julius Ballanco, will discuss “Water Reuse and Water Reclamation,” 9-10:30 a.m., B308, Thursday, Oct. 2. Although grey water systems save water, they also raise concerns for public health and safety. Attendees will learn how the plumbing codes are revising regulations designed to safeguard health with these water-saving systems.

In addition, here are several other green seminar highlights:

• “The Research Required For Successful Implementation Of New Water Efficient Technologies,” 3-4:30 p.m., B312, Wednesday, Oct. 1. Peter Demarco, director of special programs for the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials, will discuss the transition in store between embracing new water-saving plumbing systems while still having confidence that the systems protect health and safety and provide customer satisfaction.
  
  
• “Solar Around The World,” 3-4:30 p.m., B313, Wednesday, Oct. 1. Radiant contractor Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr will explore various solar concepts and installation practices around the world.
  
  
• “An Introduction To The GreenPlumbers Program,” 9-10:30 a.m., B312, Thursday, Oct. 2. Steve Lehtonen, managing director of GreenPlumbers USA, will describe how his organization can help train plumbers to capitalize on green strategies in their work. Although the program is fairly new to the United States, it has a well-established, successful track record in Australia.
  
  
• “Green Design Within The UPC and UMC,” 3-4:30 p.m., B313, Thursday, Oct. 2. Michael Mitchell, senior plumbing inspector for the city and county of San Francisco, will examine what green products and concepts are currently allowed within the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code, as well as some possible application that can be allowed through alternative approval processes.
  
  
• “Two Real Sharp P’s in a Bright Green Pod,” 10-11 a.m., B308, Friday, Oct. 3. Radiant contractors Dave Yates and Mark Eatherton will discuss a wide assortment of green technologies, such as solar thermal, ground source heat pump, solar PV and hydrogen fuel cell technology, high-efficiency space and water heating, waste heat recovery and mini-split inverter systems.

All ISH North America seminars will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center. Room locations are TBD, but we will have more details in other show dailies. For a full ISH North America 2008 seminar schedule and additional information on each of the sessions, visit www.ish-na.com/seminars.htm. For more information on the show or to register for ISH North America, log on to www.ish-na.com.

Green Home Tours

ISH North America is also promoting tours of a home completely run with solar energy located on the campus of Georgia Institute of Technology. Students from Georgia Tech originally designed and built the home for last year’s Solar Decathlon competition in Washington, D.C. The 800-sq.-ft. home, dubbed Icarus, took sixth place in the contest and has since been rebuilt outside Georgia Tech’s School of Architecture.

The home’s most noticeable feature is the material that makes up the roof and two of its walls. Constructed from a translucent polycarbonate material, the substance allows the house to be filled with light without becoming an energy drainer.

In additional to PV panels for electricity, the home also features evacuated tube panels to provide domestic hot water. In additional, an energy recovery ventilator conditions incoming air using the temperature and humidity of the outgoing exhaust air from the home.

On the plumbing side, the home’s water management system collects rainwater from the roof as well as water from the sinks and air-conditioning to a storage tank in the garden for grey water use.

The tour will take place at 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3. Since no shuttle busses are offered for the tour, participants will have to arrange their own transporation. For more information on the home and to sign up for a tour, go to http://solar.gatech.edu.

To see a YouTube video of the solar home, click here >>

Green Mobile Classroom

The HVAC Mobile Green Classroom is currently on tour around the country, including a stop at ISH North America.

The classroom, essentially a tracker trailer, allows visitors a first-hand look at the many ways a building can become more energy efficient, use fewer natural resources and have minimal impact on the environment. On display are such green building features as solar heat, greywater and geothermal to name just a few.

The trailer’s displays are also designed to work in conjunction with the Mechanical Contractor Association of America’s LEED AP training programs and the United Association/Mechanical Service Contractors of America’s Green Awareness Training and Certification Program.

The trailer is the work of the Partnership for Environmental Leadership, a collaborative effort of the MCAA, UA, MSCA as well as the Plumbing Contractors of America; U.S. Green Building Council and Green Mechanical Council.

For more information, log on to www.hvacgreen.net.