Before specifying efficient heating and cooling equipment, it’s important to do what we can to reduce heating and cooling loads. Insulation is one of the key products to consider here, but because there are so many insulation products on the market, we look for additional benefits. Examples include cellulose insulation with recycled content, mineral wool insulation with no flame retardants, and fiberglass insulation with no formaldehyde binders. Other products in this area are high-performance windows and glazings, products that contribute to building airtight envelopes, products that reduce thermal bridging, and window-retrofit products.
With products in this area under constant development, we are always refining our approach. For example, as we have learned about insulation products with hazardous flame retardants and blowing agents that have high global warming potential, we have removed those products from GreenSpec, pending manufacturing changes. We encourage building professionals to pressure manufacturers for those changes through specification language and purchasing decisions.
EnviroTower Cooling Tower Water Treatment System
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All toilets and most showerheads today meet the federal water-efficiency standards, but not all of these products perform satisfactorily. With toilets and showerheads, we include products that meet or exceed WaterSense standards, which includes performance requirements—although we go beyond WaterSense where there are issues not adequately addressed by the program. We also look for other products that conserve potable water, such as rainwater catchment and graywater recovery and reuse systems.
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Alternative wastewater disposal systems reduce groundwater pollution by decomposing organic wastes or removing nutrients more effectively. Hand dryers reduce water and paper towel use, alternative treatments for cooling tower water reduce chemical use, and carpet tile allows modular replacement of worn areas. In screening products for this area, we focus on quantifiable environmental benefits and strong performance records.
evandtec manufactures a non-chemical water treatment system to prevent scale and fouling build-up that can reduce heat-transfer efficiency in cooling towers. The EnviroTower system also controls corrosion and microbiological contamination in the cooling system. The EnviroTower system includes one or more electrostatic conditioners that cause calcium carbonate to precipitate in the bulk solution as free particles, which are then removed with a hydrocyclone separator. The system requires no power to operate, but low levels of ionic zinc and elemental iodine are added as a supplementary disinfectant. Although the evandtec company is new, their system is certified by the Canadian Government’s Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program which provides validation and independent verification of performance claims for environmental technologies and has more than 10 years of testing and operation.
Cooling towers rely on the principle of evaporation to extract heat from water to aid in the cooling of conditioned spaces. This is typically achieved with large heat-transfer areas wetted by recirculating water. The combination of expansive moist areas and recirculating water create an almost ideal environment for bacteria and mold, which build up on the heat-transfer surfaces, reducing their effectiveness. Heat transfer effectiveness is also reduced by scale deposits that form as recirculating water evaporates, leaving behind minerals and other solids.
Environment-friendly cooling tower treatment systems based on ozonation or magnetic, electromagnetic, or electrostatic technology, have evolved considerably in recent years. Such systems can reduce and potentially obviate the need for dangerous chemicals, while providing decreased maintenance and reduced blow-down. Magnetic (and electromagnetic) systems are not fully understood, and have a checkered past and present. The systems listed here are from manufacturers with proven track records who have assuaged our concerns about effectiveness and provide the necessary engineering support for a successful system.
LEED Credits
EAc1: Optimize Energy Performance
EAc1.3: Optimize Energy Performance—HVAC
EAp2: Minimum Energy Performance
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These alternative water treatment systems can be so sketchy, it's nice to know that there are some that actually work! Just got this in a press release:
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has embarked on an ambitious plan to reduce water consumption in its stores by 30% through the use of EnviroTower water conditioning technology. The EnviroTower system has already been installed in 37 Fresh & Easy locations and will be incorporated into all new stores, including the nine Fresh & Easy stores opening in California next month.