ED+C and Sustainable Facility magazines last year embarked on new online awards contest that gives manufacturers a chance to have readers vote on their favorite product in a number of categories. Readers are asked to vote for products that they feel offer the best combination of sustainable attributes with ease of use and installation. The winners for the 2009 competition are listed below.

DAYLIGHTING

Product: LightCube
Manufacturer: Sunoptics

The LightCube cubed design utilizes the same prismatic technology of Sunoptics Signature Series skylights equipped with reflective light wells and diffusing lenses that maximize visible light transmission with 100 percent diffusion. LightCube is designed to seamlessly integrate into traditional T-Bar grid ceilings and is available in 2’ x 2’, 2’ x 4’ and 4’ x 4’ sizes with reflective well depths to fit any ceiling height.

Reader Service No. 1

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Product: Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard
Manufacturer: QA Graphics

The Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard (EEED) is a graphical user interface (GUI) solution used to display a building’s real-time performance data in an easy-to-understand format. By integrating the EEED into the building’s control system, utility data can be displayed in real-time daily, weekly, monthly or yearly statistics. Facility managers and occupants can use the data to improve building performance and compare historical data with consumption patterns.

Reader Service No. 2

EXTERIOR PRODUCTS/DESIGN

Product: VAST Composite Pavers
Manufacturer: VAST Enterprises LLC

VAST Composite Pavers are manufactured with VAST’s engineered material that consists of up to 95 percent recycled rubber and plastic. VAST’s composite material is made with recycled resources that provide the structural strength, durability and pleasing appearance essential for landscape and hardscape applications. VAST’s grid system automatically spaces and aligns the pavers. The product has a lifetime warranty against cracking in residential applications.

Reader Service No. 3

INTERIOR PRODUCTS/DESIGN

Product: Kirei Board
Manufacturer: Kirei

Kirei Board - Zen Modern Kirei Board is a strong, lightweight, durable, environmentally friendly substitute for wood. It’s manufactured from reclaimed stalks of the sorghum plant, poplar wood bonding layers and a no-added-formaldehyde adhesive. Kirei Board reduces landfill waste and eases pressure on wood resources. Kirei Board can be used in architectural, millwork and finished product applications in commercial, retail, residential and hospitality settings.

Reader Service No. 4

FRAMING/STRUCTURAL

Product: iForm Insulating Concrete Forms
Manufacturer: Reward Wall Systems

The iForm ICF offers energy savings and has inherent features that reportedly make this product versatile to use under any condition. In addition, the iForm ICF gives users the structural wall, air barrier, vapor retarder, furring strips and insulation all in one step. Plus, it has the ability to resist hurricane- and tornado-force winds up to 200-plus mph, protecting building occupants from the element.

Reader Service No. 7

SOFTWARE

Product: Bluebeam PDF Revu
Manufacturer: Bluebeam Software Inc.

Bluebeam PDF Revu helps firms achieve almost paperless projects by taking a PDF and giving it useful, industry-standard markups like takeoffs, callouts, clouds and CAD symbols. Then, it provides a simple interface enabling users to easily place and customize markups with a mouse or tablet pen, store common symbols in a tool chest, compare PDF drawings side by side, track comments, create punchlists and more.

Reader Service No. 8

ENERGY SYSTEMS

Product: Solar In a Box
Manufacturer: Ready Solar

A pre-engineered and pre-assembled solar system, all non-site-specific components needed to complete a solar installation come in the box (home run wiring and circuit breakers are site specific and not included). The systems are shipped with pre-installed and grounded microinverters, making for a safer and higher performance all-AC solution. Ready Solar also provides training, onsite evaluation, rebate logistics and marketing.

Reader Service No. 5

MECHANICAL

Product: ALPHA
Manufacturer: Grundfos

ALPHA from Grundfos is an energy-optimized, 115-volt circulator for residential and light-commercial hydronic application featuring a permanent magnet motor design that cuts power consumption by a minimum of 50 percent as compared with other circulators in its class. The AUTOADAPT function saves energy and money by automatically finding the lowest operating-efficiency point to meet changing system demand.

Reader Service No. 6

WATER CONSERVATION

Product: AquaPEX Reclaimed Water Tubing
Manufacturer: Uponor

AquaPEX Reclaimed Water tubing offers all the benefits of Uponor PEX-a tubing — flexible, durable and corrosion-resistant with a proven history and a 25-year limited warranty. The tubing is listed to NSF-rw and AWWA C904, and it uses the same proven ProPEX fitting technology as Uponor AquaPEX for fast, easy, reliable connections without the need for torches, glues, solvents or gauges.

Reader Service No. 9