Sustainability

Thursday, January 5, 2012, EPA Administrator and Obama Cabinet member, Lisa P. Jackson traveled to Miami to meet with local green business leaders and she toured the Brownsville Transit Village, a new environmentally sustainable building project in an underserved community that incorporates water and energy-saving features.

The project, set to open in March, is being developed by Carlisle Development Group, which creates environmentally sustainable affordable housing. Carlisle is working in partnership with Alterna Corp., an EPA WaterSense^® partner and leading distributor of green building products. Alterna Corp. supplied plumbing fixtures by Sustainable Solutions International (SSi™): Caroma^®’s Smart 305 Round Front dual-flush, low-flow toilets and fluid™’s lavatory and kitchen faucets to the project. Caroma and fluid products installed, contribute to the estimated water savings of Brownsville Transit Village – over 5 million gallons per year and roughly $50,000 per year in utility savings (i.e., compared to standard plumbing fixtures).

EPA’s WaterSense initiative brings together local water utilities, governments, product manufacturers and retailers to promote water efficiency, and enhance the market through innovation and product design for water efficient products, programs and practices. EPA and its WaterSense partners have helped Americans save 125 billion gallons of water and more than $2 billion in water and energy bills. By reducing water consumption, the program has reduced 6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, protecting the health of Americans.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Pentair Aquatic Systems as a 2014 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing energy-efficient products and educating consumers about energy efficiency. Pentair’s accomplishments will be recognized in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2014.

Pentair, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2013, will be honored for its leadership in manufacturing products that earn the ENERGY STAR, the government-backed symbol of energy efficiency.

“Pentair Aquatic Systems continues to be a leader in swimming pool industry innovation,” said Karl R. Frykman, President, Pentair Aquatic Systems. “Pentair was the first manufacturer to earn ENERGY STAR certification on its pool pumps. Additionally, it was the first manufacturer to introduce variable speed technology to the pool industry, years ahead of any other manufacturer. We are constantly working to develop more products which allow our customers to enjoy the pool lifestyle while being energy efficient.”

To earn the ENERGY STAR certification, pool pumps must be at least 30-72 percent more energy efficient than typical pumps. In 2013 all Pentair variable speed pump models and most two-speed models earned ENERGY STAR certification. Currently, 53 Pentair pool pump models carry the ENERGY STAR.

Through 2013, with help from ENERGY STAR, American families and businesses have saved $297 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 2.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

The 2014 Partner of the Year Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through superior energy efficiency. Award winners are selected from the 16,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

“Pentair is helping consumers save money and reduce harmful carbon pollution by producing energy-efficient ENERGY STAR products,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “This outstanding effort in product manufacturing demonstrates a commitment to reducing our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.”

EX and Aquatherm fans rejoice: Aquatherm’s newest PEX adapter is zero-lead and can be used for potable water. It includes zero-lead brass and is manufactured to ASTM F1960. A new male-end design allows you to fuse directly into fusion outlets, so they are quicker and easier to install. Unlike the other PEX adapter (F1807) Aquatherm offers which has a PP-R socket, this adapter has a street connection that is welded directly into an Aquatherm fitting. Aquatherm can be used as the main distribution pipe and transition to PEX as needed. Dimension available: 1/2″. More sizes to come.

Aquatherm is being recognized as one of the Hot 50 Products for 2014 by Green Builder editors. Aquatherm’s SDR 17.6 Blue Pipe was featured in Green Builder magazine online and in the February issue on page 32 (may require registration to view).

In addition to the Hot 50, Aquatherm SDR 17.6 Blue Pipe was also featured as one of Green Builder’s standout products in their e-newsletter. Previously, Aquatherm’s Lilac Pipe was featured by Green Builder magazine in The Hot 50 Products February 2012 issue.

With an online circulation of more than 100,000, Green Builder reaches builders, remodelers, contractors, architects and designers. A leader in the building industry, Green Builder focuses on sustainability and connecting natural and built environments.