Wind power created a lot of energy among BUILDER readers in 2012. There was a clear trend as the top five products—based off reader service requests for products featured in the magazine—are all wind turbines.
In a typical application, the wind turbine is connected to the home and the grid, powering the house and sending excess power back to the utility. Through net metering, many utilities will credit the homeowner’s account for the turbine-produced power that’s fed to the grid.
But the systems are pricey. They can range from $10,000 to $70,000 depending on size, height, and installation costs. The payback period varies from six to 30 years.
What else caught builders’ eyes in 2012? Rainscreens, insulated vinyl siding, high-performance windows, LED lighting, and tankless water heaters are just some of the standouts. Take a look at the results to see what 50 products most intrigued your peers.
| 1 | Wepower Eco | wind turbine |
| 2 | Southwest Windpower | wind turbine |
| 3 | Honeywell | wind turbine |
| 4 | Helix Wind | wind turbine |
| 5 | Bergey Windpower | wind turbine |
| 6 | Nora Lighting | LED recessed lighting |
| 7 | Tech Lighting | LED undercabinet system |
| 8 | Versetta Stone | panelized stone siding |
| 9 | Schluter Systems | floor drain |
| 10 | Intus Windows | triple-glazed window |
| 11 | Panasonic | wall fan |
| 12 | Sto Corp. | cavity wall system |
| 13 | Honeywell | touchscreen alarm |
| 14 | Kohler Power Systems | generator |
| 15 | Brooks Custom | countertop |
| 16 | Intus Windows | windows |
| 17 | Dow Corning | insulation panel |
| 18 | Huber Engineered Woods | sheathing |
| 19 | Benjamin Obdyke | rainscreen |
| 20 | L.E. Johnson Hardware | door hardware |
| 21 | Carrier | heat pump |
| 22 | Nuheat Industries | floor heating system |
| 23 | DuPont | Thermawrap |
| 24 | Comfortmaker Heating and Cooling | gas furnace |
| 25 | Uponor | plumbing system |
| 26 | Phantom Screens | retractable panels |
| 27 | 3Form | resin panels |
| 28 | Plain & Fancy | cabinets |
| 29 | Kreg Tool | jig system |
| 30 | Zenaro Lighting | LED light panel |
| 31 | Thermory Wood | thermo-treated wood |
| 32 | Nuheat Industries | floor heating system |
| 33 | Oborain | prefab outdoor shower |
| 34 | Trane | air conditioner |
| 35 | Meld USA | surfacing material |
| 36 | Timber Products | plywood panels |
| 37 | Leviton | dimmer switch |
| 38 | Kichler Lighting | outdoor lighting |
| 39 | Schlage Lock | deadbolt |
| 40 | Knight Wall Systems | rainscreen |
| 41 | Integrity Windows | fiberglass windows and doors |
| 42 | Nuheat Industries | floor heating system |
| 43 | WaterFurnace | heat pump |
| 44 | Ann Sacks Tile and Stone | wood tiles |
| 45 | Baldwin Hardware | door levers |
| 46 | Broan Nutone | ventilation fan |
| 47 | Niagara Conservation | toilet |
| 48 | Pella | fiberglass windows |
| 49 | Integrity Windows | tripane glazing |
| 50 | A.O. Smith | tankless water heater |
