At the 2023 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo last week in Washington, D.C., over 240 building product manufacturers and service providers came together to showcase their offerings. Here are a few finds from the show floor that can help multifamily owners and operators save energy, reduce waste or meet green building requirements.
Solar aesthetics
The Powerpatio and Powergazebo by Arka provide ground-mount, non-rooftop options for residential solar power in the form of either a freestanding gazebo or a shade covering for a patio, according to the manufacturer. Both products range from 180 to 348 square feet in size, in a choice of two solar base configurations: 77 or 90 watt peak. Each one is equipped with recessed lighting and a power outlet, and WiFi LED lights are available as a premium option.
Eco formulation
Benjamin Moore’s Eco Spec interior paint line is designed to produce no emissions of any kind, including no VOCs. It is available in primer, flat, eggshell and semi-gloss formulations, and may be tinted in over 3,500 colors. All configurations are 100% acrylic latex, Green Seal certified, and certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, according to the manufacturer.
Off the grid
The AdvanTex AX-Max wastewater treatment system by Orenco Systems is designed to process wastewater for properties not connected to a central grid. The recirculating media filter produces effluent suitable for reuse, and the system uses less than 2 kWh of energy per 1,000 gallons of treated water, according to the manufacturer. The units may be installed above or in-ground.
Solar tubing
Kingspan’s Solatube Tubular Daylight Devices provide daylight into commercial spaces via cylindrical apertures. The line includes three products: SkyVault, designed for larger spaces; SolaMaster for medium spaces; and Brighten Up for smaller applications, according to the manufacturer. The tubes may either be covered by ceiling tiles or kept bare for practical or aesthetic purposes.
Self powering
The Eco-Powr fitness machine line by SportsArt takes the energy generated by users and converts it into a power source, according to the manufacturer. The machines draw a small amount of electricity from the building to turn on, then run on user-generated energy once a workout begins and returns excess generated energy into the building’s utilities, offsetting what’s needed to power the rest of the structure. Available machines include a treadmill, rower, cycle, elliptical and stepper.
Offset storage
LG’s energy storage system line includes the LG ESS Home 8, designed for individual detached homes, and the Commercial Energy Storage System, made for larger structures. Both are designed to store energy from either solar panels or grid power for future use, including energy offset during peak cost periods. The Home 8 can store up to 14.4 kW/h of power, while four AC-coupled commercial units can store up to 100MWh of power, according to the manufacturer.
Local footprint
Polycor’s hardscapes and masonry products are made from natural limestone, granite and marble quarried in North America and locally fabricated and distributed. The resulting surfaces are durable, nearly maintenance free and resist the impact of freeze/thaw cycles, according to the fabricator. Products include exterior veneers, windowsills, walkways, patios, fire pits, outdoor ovens, steps and posts.
Sanitize in style
The Vaask touchless hand-sanitizing fixture is made of cast aluminum and steel, requires only 0.25 amps of power and makes use of operating components that last through over 500,000 uses, according to the manufacturer. It can be installed either on a tip-resistant freestanding pedestal or an ADA-compliant wall bracket.
The backplate, sink and faucet can be specified in any Pantone color, and backplates are also available in marble and wood textures, custom graphics or logos. The sanitizer cartridge is refillable and compatible with alcohol-based gel formulas.
Colorful acoustics
The Polysorb acoustic panels, designed to reduce noise levels and sound reverberation, are made up of non-woven polyester fibers in a formulation that is odorless, dust-free, formaldehyde-free, 100% recyclable and highly durable, according to the manufacturer.
The panels may be installed on building interiors and exteriors, and hung from either walls or ceilings with magnets, adhesive, screws or the manufacturer’s fasteners. Standard panels are half an inch thick, offer a noise reduction coefficient of .45 and come in 54 colors.
Zoned control
The Smart Rain 2-Wire irrigation controller uses evapotranspiration monitoring and predictive weather data to determine when and how much to water a given portion of a property’s landscaping. The controller is compatible with flow sensors, rain sensors and soil moisture sensors.
Managers can monitor and control the irrigation settings via a 7-inch touchscreen or smart app, with 150 possible program settings across 240 irrigation zones, according to the manufacturer.
The Greenbuild conference is owned by Informa, the parent company of Industry Dive.
