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.
Vortisand Efficient Water Filters
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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.
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While resilience—the ability to weather natural disasters and maintain livable conditions in the aftermath of disruptive events—is mostly an issue of building design and community preparedness, certain products can help. For example, almost all heating systems require electricity to operate even if their primary fuel is oil, gas, or wood pellets; systems that allow operation even if grid electricity is not available are more resilient in the event of power outages. Rainwater harvesting, water storage, composting toilets, and waterless urinals contribute to resilience not only in drought-prone areas but also during power outages in any home dependent on well water. Solar water heating systems that can operate without utility power, and back-up power systems that are more energy-efficient than standard generators, may have this attribute.
Sonitec's Vortisand water filtration system uses centrifugal force (vortex effect) in combination with sand filtration to treat water used in cooling towers and chilled or hot water water loops in HVAC systems. It can also be used in graywater recycling systems and for rainwater polishing for toilet flushing and other applications. The Vortisand spins untreated water above the sand media, forcing large suspended solids to accumulate on the wall of the tank. With these larger particles removed, finer sand can be used in the filter media, improving filter performance and longevity. The Vortisand removes more than 90% of suspended solids to 0.45 micron, filters up to 20 gpm/ft2 of filter media surface, and reduces backwash water usage by 25-50% over typical down-flow filters, according to the manufacturer. The silica sand in the filter needs replacing every seven years if properly maintained. The filter system vessel has a five-year warranty and the filter manifold and external equipment a one-year warranty. Sonitec's U.S. facility is located in Holyoke, MA.
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 that is deposited as recirculating water evaporates and leaves behind minerals and other solids.
In addition to the energy penalty associated with scale, water treatment systems often rely on harsh chemicals to treat bacteria, and high water use from drawdown of water that has build-up of concentrates—a process called blow-down.
A range of non-chemical technologies are available to address these issues, including systems with electromagnetic fields or hypersonic vibrations that arrange particulates to precipitate in the water instead of as deposits on pipe surfaces, and systems employing ultraviolet light to ionize oxygen and produce hydrogen peroxide for bacteria and scale prevention.
These technologies aren’t new, but as demand has increased, companies are fine-tuning them to improve energy efficiency and efficacy. Companies have also had to overcome obstacles to market acceptance due to their technologies being very esoteric, and companies’ marketing materials don’t always appear credible.
GreenSpec lists systems from companies that work on proven scientific principles, are supported by strong track records, and that offer improved efficiency and reduced impact compared with conventional systems.
Graywater is defined either as all wastewater other than that from toilets, or as wastewater from baths, showers, lavatories, and clothes washers (not including kitchen sinks and dishwashers). In some states, codes allow graywater to be collected and used for below-ground landscape irrigation.
Products listed here are used in graywater systems.
Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and using rainwater, most commonly from roofs. Use of collected rainwater can provide building owners with high-quality soft water for irrigation and potable uses, reduce pressure on water-treatment plants, and reduce stormwater runoff and flooding. To use as potable water, filtration and purification are necessary.
GreenSpec includes a wide range of rainwater harvesting systems and components, including storage tanks and filtration systems for rainwater collection or treatment.
In addition to looking for products that meet your functional requirements, look for products with other environmental features such as recycled content, recyclability, and other materials-related benefits. Many rainwater products are formulated with performance in mind, and don't include recycled content, but GreenSpec hopes that will change and we will highlight such products in the future.
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WEc2: Innovative Wastewater Technologies
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