Products - May 2009

LIFE Wool Textiles

Unika Vaev is the exclusive distributor for the U.S. and Canada of Australia-based Instyle’s LIFE (Low Impact For the Environment) sustainable commercial upholstery and screen textiles. The line, made of 100-percent wool, has been designed to minimize environmental impacts at all stages—raw materials, production, use, and disposal. The rapidly renewable, biodegradable fabrics are made from either third-party certified organic wool, or “eco wool” that’s been tested in its raw state for negligible pesticide residue. Non-mutagenic dyes that don’t contain heavy metals are used, and no flame retardants or anti-static treatments are applied. ICF Group—Unika Vaev; Norwich, CT.
Toll-free 800-237-1625;
www.unikavaev.com
[ Reader Service: May 2009 CIRCLE 88]

Navien Tankless Water Heaters

The Navien Condensing 98% line of sealed-combustion natural-gas and propane tankless water heaters from Korean manufacturer KD Navien boasts models with efficiencies in excess of 98 percent... hence, the name. All the usual benefits of tankless, plus less fuel use and lower emissions. Several dozen units can be cascaded to achieve the large volume of hot water required in restaurants, entertainment and sports establishments, swimming pools, and hotels. The “A” models have a built-in recirculation feature that can potentially reduce operating costs compared to similar systems in commercial settings. Before specifying recirculation in a residence, particularly as a retrofit, do deep research. Navien America Inc.; Irvine, CA.
Phone 949-955-9009, Toll-free 800-519-8794;
www.navienamerica.com
[ Reader Service: May 2009 CIRCLE 89]

Roxul Mineral Wool Insulation

The Canadian company, Roxul, offers the U.S. market DrainBoard—a high-compressive-strength mineral wool board used with foundation walls and structural concrete as a drainage system that also provides R-4 insulation per inch. Mineral wool is vapor-permeable, water-repellant, non-combustible, dimensionally stable, chemically inert, and doesn’t degrade or support mold. It’s made with natural basalt rock and recycled slag. Blankets and formed products for thermal, acoustic, and fireproofing insulation for walls, floors, curtain walls, pipes, and tanks are available for the commercial market. Roxul also offers additional residential products, including batts, in the Canadian and greater world markets—but, sadly, not in the U.S. Roxul, Inc.; Milton, ON, Canada.
Phone 905-878-8474, toll-free 800-265-6878;
www.roxul.com
[ Reader Service: May 2009 CIRCLE 90]

Thermomax Evacutated-Tube Heat Pipes

Thermo Technologies is the east-coast U.S. distributor for Thermomax, a European company with manufacturing facilities in Italy, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Thermomax produces evacuated-tube “heat pipe” solar collectors—including temperature-limiting Mazdon “Memotron” tubes (TMA600) with integrated overheating protection that limits the maximum heat-exchange temperature to 250 degrees F. Heat pipes use a contained phase-change fluid to create one-way heat flow to a heat-exchange manifold, eliminating potential heat loss through the collectors. The collectors’ selective absorber surface—95 percent absorption and 5 percent emittance—is an environmentally friendly titanium nitride oxide coating from Germany. Thermo Technologies also offers balance-of-system components and design services. Thermo Technologies; Columbia, MD.
Phone 410-997-0778;
www.thermomax.com
[ Reader Service: May 2009 CIRCLE 91]