GreenSpec Insights
Buying an Appliance? Use Research and Reviews from GreenSpec
Posted by Jennifer Atlee on 06/16/2011
How to use the GreenSpec product guide--even if it doesn't list the product you need.
I hate shopping. I'll do the grocery shopping, but when it comes to new appliances, home improvement, clothes--really anything else--I tell the shopper in the household what it is we need and he then spends the hours wading through specs, Consumer Reports, and price comparisons to make the final purchase. Thankfully, he likes that kind of thing.
I wanted to talk about our most recent...
Standout Bathroom Water-Savers from the GreenSpec Guide
Posted by Brent Ehrlich on 06/09/2011
If you're looking to renovate a bathroom and save some water and energy in the process, check out some of these standout products from our GreenSpec Directory.
Saving water and energy with low-flow showerheads
Showers use up a lot of water, accounting for about 17% of all indoor residential water use, and old, inefficient showerheads not only waste water, they also waste the energy needed to heat that water. Early adopters of first-generation low-flow...
More Sloppy Cotton Batt Installations from Bonded Logic
Posted by Tristan Roberts on 06/09/2011
Based on its own videos, the Arizona-based maker of recycled-denim Ultratouch insulation still doesn't get it when it comes to installation quality.
What do you do when a green product doesn't live up to expectations? Here at BuildingGreen, we really want to see green building products succeed in the marketplace, and make it easy for professionals to find the best of the best in our GreenSpec guide.
But...
Isocyanate-Free Polyurethane Maker Glosses Over Bisphenol-A Content
Posted by Brent Ehrlich on 05/25/2011
A new clear floor coating for the commercial and industrial market is being touted as not containing isocyanates, potentially toxic chemicals used in uncured spray polyurethane foams (SPF), clear furniture and floor coatings, and adhesives such as those found in no-added-...
Green Building Product Certifications Webinar: Continuing the discussion
Posted by Jennifer Atlee on 05/18/2011
How to tell green from greenwash? Our free recorded webinar is available below, and we're also using this space to answer questions from the live webcast. Enjoy!
We just finished our first webinar on Green Building Product Certifications, and I promised people on the call that I'd create a blog post to continue the discussion – so here it is. To get us started, I've answered a few of the questions that...
Green Product Certifications: Picking Out Green from Greenwash
Posted by Tristan Roberts on 05/03/2011
Enter the greenwash-free zone with the webinar that answers your questions on what green labels really mean and which ones to trust.
Wed., May 18 | 3 p.m. ET...
"Greener" Grass—And Other Eco-Landscaping Products
Posted by Brent Ehrlich on 04/29/2011
It's spring and time to get outside! GreenSpec looks at landscaping products that use recycled content, save water, reduce stormwater runoff, and even look good.
After a long, cold winter in Vermont (and yes, it even snowed last week), the temperature rose to an unbelievable 79°F here this afternoon. It's high time to start thinking about landscaping and site improvement products. Whether you're looking for pavers, irrigation, or even grass seed, GreenSpec...
A New Spin on Efficient Home Ceiling Fans
Posted by Brent Ehrlich on 04/22/2011
There are thousands of residential ceiling fans out there. GreenSpec picks three lines that outperform others on performance and efficiency.
Have you ever tried to find an energy-efficient residential ceiling fan? There are thousands of models available, using blades in an assortment of numbers, shapes, and sizes. How does anyone sort through all those choices?
Here at GreenSpec, we've done some digging for you and have found the most efficient ceiling fans...
Spray-on latex sealants: A new tool for air barriers
Posted by Brent Ehrlich on 04/13/2011
Build tight, ventilate right is the building science mantra. Spray-on latex sealants provide a new tool for airtight construction.
Last month I watched a demonstration of Owens Corning's "EnergyComplete Air Infiltration Barrier and Flexible Seal Technology" on the expo floor at the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) BuildingEnergy11 conference. I was intrigued, so I...
About the Authors
Alex Wilson is founder and executive editor of BuildingGreen, Inc., and coeditor of GreenSpec. For more than 30 years, Alex has been the most trusted voice on energy efficiency and environmentally responsible design and construction. Since launching Environmental Building News (EBN) in 1992, he’s built a reputation, resources, and staff to serve the companies for whom sustainable design is a core value.
Brent Ehrlich is BuildingGreen’s products editor, conducts research and writes product and category insights for the company’s GreenSpec product directory. He also contributes product reviews and feature articles for Environmental Building News, and is a contributing editor to McGraw-Hill’s GreenSource magazine.
Jennifer Atlee is research director at BuildingGreen, responsible for guiding the in-depth independent research that is the hallmark of all BuildingGreen resources. With her broad knowledge in sustainability, analytical acumen, and passion for improving the standards used to assess the sustainability of products, processes, and organizations, Jennifer brings strong direction to the research process behind GreenSpec’s product-screening decisions, and technical rigor to BuildingGreen’s custom research projects.
Tristan Roberts is Editorial Director at BuildingGreen, Inc., a position that requires broad knowledge about sustainable design, deep understanding of products, and mastery of all things LEED. Tristan Roberts brings that to Environmental Building News, GreenSpec, and LEEDuser, a plug-in tool supported by the U.S. Green Building Council to provide credit-by-credit advice for LEED projects.
Peter Yost brings more than 25 years' experience in building, researching, teaching, writing, and consulting on high-performance homes to his role as director of residential services for BuildingGreen. He has been called upon to provide his building-science expertise to the nation’s leading homebuilding programs, including NAHB’s Green Building Standard, USGBC's LEED for Homes, EPA’s WaterSense, and the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America.
Paula Melton, BuildingGreen’s managing editor, brings a dynamic style, critical mind, and sharp wit to the many feature articles, blog posts, and product reviews she writes for GreenSpec, BuildingGreen.com, Environmental Building News, and other BuildingGreen-supported websites.
Nadav Malin is president of BuildingGreen, where he oversees the company’s industry-leading information and community-building resources and consulting services. He also convenes and facilitates gatherings of industry leaders, and lends his technical expertise and vision to GreenSource magazine. Nadav was the founding chair of the Materials & Resources Technical Advisory Group for LEED.
Recent Discussions
The article suggests that from the air barrier location, the wall dries to interior within, and to exterior without. That's only the case when...
Tanya,
In regards to open-cell spray foam insulation it is a great choice epsecially in your application. With the right type of spray...
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Charles,
In our case I think the air barrier (Huber's Zip sheathing) is vapor-impermeable to a significant extent. It is a coated...