During an afternoon session, researchers John Koeller (Alliance for Water Efficiency) and Bill Gauley (Veritec Consulting Inc.) revealed their top five new and innovative water-saving products (in inverse order): dual-flush toilets, one-pint urinals, package greywater systems, high-efficiency residential humidifers and high-efficiency pre-rinse spray valves.
According to Koeller and Gauley, the combined annual water savings of these products, at just 5 percent market penetration, is more than 200 billion gallons.
The conservation continues with an average of 30 percent recycled materials used in the production of its shipping cartons. By using recycled materials and decreasing total packaging material weight, BrassCraft has reduced both its fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
This curriculum, titled “Your Role in the Green Environment,” provides fundamental instruction in the green environment, green construction practices, and green building rating systems. The 15-hour introductory course introduces the LEED Green Building Rating System, helps identify construction activities that contribute to a project’s LEED rating, and addresses common construction pitfalls to avoid in achieving LEED certification.
Students successfully completing the program through an NCCER-accredited training sponsor will earn industry-recognized credentials through the NCCER National Registry. For more information, visit www.nccer.org or contact NCCER customer service at 888/622-3720.
WaterSense-labeled new homes will be designed to be at least 20 percent more water-efficient than similar new homes being built today. Once the specification is finalized, builders across the country will be able to earn the WaterSense label for new homes certified to the specification. More information about the specification can be found at www.epa.gov/watersense.
Initial findings show that a typical under-floor heating and tap water plumbing systems for a 100 m² apartment using 500 metres of PEX pipe require some 29 m³ of water from “cradle to home.” The plastics material and pipe production account for a third of the total footprint of the system once installed.