Products - November 2012

Self-Programming Thermostats
These thermostats learn the energy-use habits of a homes occupants and adjust the temperature to maximize heating and cooling efficiency. Users set the thermostat over the first week with an emphasis on saving energy, such as lowering the temperature when leaving for work or going to bed; Nest then learns when to turn off or adjust HVAC, and continues to fine-tune itself with more interaction. A green-leaf icon shows when energy is being saved.

Nest
Palo Alto, CA
nest.com

Photovoltaic Panels
Q.Cells offers both mono- and multicrystalline PV modules for everything from residential to utility-scale use. The company's monocrystalline Q.Peak modules have high power output and nominal efficiencies of almost 16%, and they are available in black for a more distinctive look. The multicrystalline Q.Pro modules can be either ground- or rooftop-mounted and are available in a larger size that can be used in utility-scale applications. All Q.Cell modules come with a 25-year performance warranty.

LEED value
• EAp2: Minimum Energy PerformanceDesign & Construction
• EAc1: Optimize Energy PerformanceDesign & Construction
• EAc2: On-Site Renewable Energy

Q.Cells North America
San Francisco
northamerica.q-cells.com

Mikron Infrared Cameras
Infrared (IR) cameras detect faulty mechanical and electrical systems, missing or inadequate insulation, imbalances in HVAC systems, water intrusion, and other problems. Mikron offers a number of IR cameras to suit specific end uses, from simple units for monitoring equipment to sophisticated models used for thermal-imaging large commercial buildings. The M7600pro has interchangeable lenses, DualVision imaging (thermal and digital images in one), and video capabilities that simplify storing and accessing thermal data.

LEED value
• EAp1: Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy Systems
• EAc3: Enhanced Commissioning

LumaSense Technologies
Santa Clara, CA
lumasenseinc.com

Building Dashboards
The Building Dashboard got its start at Oberlin College, where students developed a monitoring system to compare energy use by different dormitories. Several of the students went on to create Lucid and commercialize the first user-friendly energy-dashboard system for commercial and institutional buildings. The company's products include Building Dashboard Kiosk, a touch-screen display that shows real-time energy and water use, and Building Dashboard Network, which allows users to compare usage with that of others.

LEED value
• EAp1: Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy Systems
• EAp2: Minimum Energy Performance
• EAp3: Fundamental Refrigerant Management
• EAc1: Optimize Energy Performance
• EAc3: Enhanced Commissioning
• EAc5: Measurement and Verification

Lucid
Oakland
buildingdashboard.com

Impermeable Geomembranes
Underground water movement can cause significant damage to landscaping, sidewalks, roads, and foundations. DeepRoot Green Infrastructure makes impermeable geomembranes that protect against this damage while also providing some protection against invasive species and roots. (For greater protection against roots, the company also makes dedicated root-barrier products.) DeepRoot's geomembranes are made from a minimum 75% postconsumer recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and are available in 300-foot rolls, in three thicknesses and in widths from 18 to 40 inches.

LEED value
• SSc5.1: Site DevelopmentProtect or Restore Habitat
• MRc4: Recycled Content
• SSc3: Integrated Pest Management, Erosion Control, and Landscape Management

DeepRoot Green Infrastructure
San Francisco
deeproot.com

Insulated Glass
Southwall solar-radiation-control films are fabricated into insulated-glass units (IGUs), structural-glazing units, and laminated glass. The quadruple-glazed IGU has a center-of-glass U-value of 0.05better than many wall assemblies. The company's Heat Mirror "S" glazing system uses a reformulated suspended film from Southwall and a two-part-silicone secondary sealant from Dow Corning that keeps the suspended film in place and taut for the life of the window.

LEED value
• EAp2: Minimum Energy PerformanceDesign & Construction
• EAc1: Optimize Energy PerformanceDesign & Construction

Southwall Technologies
Palo Alto, CA
southwall.com

Sound-Absorbing Flooring
PlybooQuiet is a sound-absorbing rubber underlayment made from 93% postconsumer recycled rubber. Intended mainly for use in multilevel homes or apartments, PlybooQuiet can be installed under the company's FSC-certified PlybooPure line of bamboo flooring using zero-VOC adhesives. PlybooPure is available with no-added-formaldehyde (NAF) soy-based resins and, when paired with PlybooQuiet, can create a rapidly renewable, environmentally responsible, and quiet flooring system. PlybooQuiet comes with a 25-year warranty.

LEED value
• MRc4: Recycled Content
• MRc6: Rapidly Renewable Materials

Smith & Fong
San Francisco
plyboo.com

Zero-VOC Paints
Kelly-Moore Enviro Coat and KM Professional Green Coat interior paints contain no EPA-regulated VOCs or exempt VOCs in the base paint, and are certified as low-emitting by Scientific Certification Systems. Both paints are available in flat, eggshell, and semigloss and are now available using the company's zero-VOC colorants. For a complete zero-VOC system, the company recommends its zero-VOC Acry-Plex primer (note that not all Acry-Plex primers are low-VOC).

LEED value
• IEQc4.2: Low-Emitting MaterialsPaints and Coatings

Kelly-Moore Paints
San Carlos, CA
kellymoore.com

Occupancy Sensors and Lighting Controls
WattStopper/Legrand manufactures occupancy sensors and controls for lighting and HVAC equipment, including automatic wall switches, ceiling- and wall-mount sensors, outdoor motion sensors, and sensors for special applications. In addition, WattStopper/Legrand manufactures lighting-control panels, daylighting controls, bilevel HID controls, and plug-load controls. The company's Isol eight-outlet power strip offers surge protection and a passive infrared (PIR) personal-occupancy sensor that controls six of the eight outlets.

LEED value
• EAp2: Minimum Energy Performance
• EAc1: Optimize Energy Performance
• EAc1.2: Optimize Energy PerformanceLighting Controls
• IEQc6.1: Controllability of SystemsLighting

WattStopper/Legrand
Santa Clara, CA
wattstopper.com