green products

By Victoria Markovitz

smell quelled Smith & Fong's first line of engineered hardwood flooring is urea-formaldehyde-free and FSC-certified. The click-lock planks are manufactured in America from indigenous hardwood species, such as maple, beech, birch, cherry, and hackberry. Smith & Fong Co. 866.835.9859. www.plyboo.com.

touchy subject The touchscreen dashboard in Vantage Controls' Energy Management Solution quantifies homeowners' energy usage and suggests strategies to increase their savings. Vantage Controls. 800.555.9891. www.vantagecontrols.com.

shower power GE's Hybrid Electric Water Heater absorbs heat in the ambient air and transfers it to water. It hooks up to existing water and electrical connections and uses about half the energy of standard tank units of the same size. GE Consumer & Industrial. 800.626.2000. www.ge.com.

thin is in FusionSolar integrates Uni-Solar photovoltaic thin-film laminates with Custom-Bilt's standing seam roof panels. The system ships with everything a sub needs for installation. Custom-Bilt Metals. 800.826.7813. www.custombiltmetals.com. United Solar Ovanic. 800.528.0617. www.uni-solar.com.

top choice ECO by Cosentino countertops are comprised of 75 percent postindustrial and post-consumer recycled materials—including mirrors, glass, and porcelain—and natural materials such as stone scrap and corn oil. The 63-inch-by-128-inch slabs are available in 10 colors. Cosentino North America. 866.579.4326. www.ecobycosentino.com.

cool and the gang Smartcool Systems claims its ECO3 controller will track, analyze, adjust, and optimize air conditioner and refrigerator compressors to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent to 30 percent. The device wires directly between existing controllers and compressors to ensure maximum efficiency. Smartcool Systems USA. 713.263.7888. www.smartcool.net.

dry wine Showercork flooring combines ¼-inch pieces of postindustrial wine corks with a paper adhesive backing. The durable, slip-resistant material is suitable for wet applications, such as shower floors and pool surrounds. Sustainable Flooring. 303.544.6076. www.sustainableflooring.com.

sonic boon According to Panasonic, its WhisperGreen ventilation fans are up to 621 percent more energy-efficient than minimum Energy Star standards. The fans are also quieter than predecessors, with sound output of less than 0.3 sone. Panasonic Home & Environment Co. 866.292.7292. www.panasonic.com/ventfans.

voc away Made from 90 percent renewable natural resources (such as tung oil), Waterlox Coatings' Green Label 275 VOC formula meets the strict VOC rules and limits of the South Coast Air Quality Management District of California. The finish resists moisture, dirt, common household products, and daily wear and tear, says its maker, and gives floors an Old World appearance. Waterlox Coatings Corp. 800.321.0377. www.waterlox.com.

power curve— web-extra SRS Energy's Solé Power Tile building-integrated photovoltaic product is designed specifically for curved roofs. The company says the barrel-style tiles integrate seamlessly with the clay roofing systems produced by US Tile. Solé says the product generates 500 watts of energy per 100 square feet of surface area. SRS Energy. 267.515.5895. www.srsenergy.com. US Tile Co. 800.252.9548. www.ustile.com.

high fiber — web-extra Panelmax sculptured MDF panels are crafted from 100 percent pre-consumer recycled wood fiber with no urea-formaldehyde. The 4-foot-by-8-foot panels are available in 35 standard patterns or can be formed into custom patterns. Panelmax. www.panelmax.biz.

natural pick— web-extra LD-R-50 spray foam insulation is made from the natural oil of the castor plant, which can be cultivated for production without pesticides or manmade irrigation. The insulation is water-blown and free of gaseous hydrofluorocarbons. Icynene. 800.758.7325. www.icynene.com.

raise a glass — web-extra Vetrazzo has added four earth-tone colors to its line of Flint Glass recycled countertops: martini, champagne, margarita, and porter. The products are made using 100 percent recycled glass and a cement-based, resin-free binder. Vetrazzo. www.vetrazzo.com.

mind over matter— web-extra Dimmers save energy, but sometimes it's hard to tell if they're truly making a difference. With Lutron's new Maestro and Meadowlark eco-minders, however, integrated LED lights change from red to green when a homeowner's dimming reduces energy at least 15 percent. Lutron Electronics Co. 610.282.3800. www.lutron.com/energy.

all there— web-extra SolPak all-inclusive solar water heating systems from Rheem qualify for a federal tax credit of up to 30 percent of the cost of equipment and installation. Available with 80-gallon or 119-gallon storage capacities, the system ships with a heat exchanger tank, controller, multi-speed pump, thermal expansion tank, and collector panels. Rheem Manufacturing Co. 800.621.5622. www.rheem.com.