Green | Trendir

Solar Insect Zappers

With the start of spring comes the rise of annoying pests. Now, you can rid yourself of the flying variety (we’re looking at you, mosquitoes!) in an eco-friendly way with the Solar Insect Zappers. You may have been hesitant to plug in one of these bug zappers before due to their power consumption, but since this set of four harnesses the sun’s energy, feel free to leave them running all night long. Outfitted with a UV bulb, the Solar Insect Zappers turn on automatically when the sun goes down and gets rid of 100 different types of flying pests. And don’t worry, these bugs won’t feel a thing – they are eliminated instantly thanks to a 300-volt electric charge, so you can enjoy the spring and summer nights without getting bitten. Running 8 hours on a full charge, the Zappers only needs minimal sunlight to power itself, and can turn to accent lighting with the push of a button. Buy them at Hammacher Schlemmer for $99.95.
Via Coolest Gadgets.

14 Apr 2009 | Solar Power |

Solar Motion Sensing Security Light

Scare away would-be thieves while impressing them with your energy conservation with the Solar Motion Sensing Security Light. With no hardwiring to set up, this motion sensor can be installed in minutes just about anywhere you need to spotlight security. Equipped with an infrared motion sensing element that extends 39 feet with a 180° field of view, it beams bright with a 10-watt halogen light. To power it up, just place the solar panel on your roof so it gets the full benefit of the sun, and plug it in with a 16-foot cord. Its rechargeable battery provides up to 300 30-second illuminations, once the solar panel has been exposed to sunlight for 15 hours. Pick one up for $79.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer.
via Gadget Grid.

11 Mar 2009 | Solar Power |

Solar Powered Lights from Ikea - Indoor and Outdoor

Jumping on the Green bandwagon, Ikea has just released its new line of solar powered indoor and outdoor lights. Available in a range of colors and uses, these solar powered lights are as handy as they are adorable! With nine different products to choose from, Ikea’s lights feature replaceable and rechargeable batteries. And since they have LED lights, they use 70% less energy while lasting four times as long as regular blubs. If you’re thinking of putting them outside, you’ll be pleased by the fact that you won’t need any electric outlets or cumbersome buried wires to deal with – just place them along your path or deck for all-night lighting. Plus, with prices from $6.99 to $19.99, you can’t go wrong. Ikea.

via Inhabitat via Mocoloco

9 Mar 2009 | Solar Power |

Composting Toilet - Self-Contained Bio-drum toilet by Sun-Mar

The Sun-Mar Excel Composting Toilet is one of the best selling products of its kind in North American – and for good reason! A high capacity electric Bio-drum toilet that is very simple to operate, the Excel can be used in any residence, and using proven technology, produces no odor, uses no water and delivers clean compost. As it’s a self-contained unit, this Sun-Mar composting toilet features an attached 2-inch vent that can be installed invisibly by running it through the wall to the outside. An environmentally healthy choice for recycling human waste, no chemicals and septic system make up any part of it. Instead, the Excel uses a unique Sun-Mar Bio-drum that combines waste and peat mix bulking material. To mix and aerate, rotate the drum periodically, which is done easily by turning a handle found in front of the unit. To empty the compost, just release the drum locker and rotate the drum backwards. The Excel starts in price from $1,695. Sun-Mar.

5 Mar 2009 | Plumbing Fixtures |

Solar Attic Fan - Solarstar by Solatube

Imagine harnessing the heat of the sun to cool your home – it’s possible with Solarstar’s Roof Mount Solar Attic Fan. Combining ventilation technology and environmentally friendly benefits, the solar powered attic fan is installed onto the highest point on your roof (either as a low profile, pitched or high profile, depending on where you live and how your house is designed) and is used to circulate air and ventilate your attic space, which in turn provides cool air to the rest of your home. Powered by a 10-watt solar panel, the fan also battles moisture that rises through the ceiling to the roof, further protecting your home from fungus, saturated insulation and plywood delamination. This system installs easily in about half an hour, can withstand any kind of weather condition and best of all, costs nothing to operate! Prices start at $300. Solatube.

4 Mar 2009 | Solar Power |

Inflatable Solar Collector for Hot Water - SolarStore by IDC

Affordable and innovative SolarStore Inflatable Solar Collector by IDC (Industrial Design Consultancy) was made for the value-conscious environmentalist in mind. Made in the UK, the SolarStore uses solar heat to warm domestic water – in fact, it can heat up to three full tanks of water, reaching temperatures close to 80°C! Selling for under £100 (about $150 US), the inflatable solar collector is not only cheaper than conventional solar hot water systems on the market (compare at $2,000-$3,000), but can also be used in developing countries as well as on camping trips. Using the process of heat transfer, sunlight passes through the SolarStore’s clear outer layer, and travels down to a black inner layer that holds the water. To keep water hot, it uses the surrounding air between the clear and black layers as insulation. The SolarStore is set to hit the market in the spring of 2009. Industrial Design Consultancy.

3 Mar 2009 | Solar Power |

BP Solar Home Solutions System – easy to install Solar Panels

Clean, renewable electricity is within reach, thanks to BP Solar Home Solutions System. A lot of homeowners are scared away from using solar panels because the technology is complex, but BP Solar has made their Home Solutions System easy to install, use and maintain. Solar panels first transform sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity, and an inverter converts it to alternating current (AC) electricity that you can use in your home. One of the benefits of using the System is that if your home produces more electricity than it needs during the day, it will store the extra electricity in a utility grid, and you’ll actually see a credit on you electric bill! When the sun goes down at the end of the day or if it happens to be cloudy, the system draws on the extra electricity in the grid to power your home. This system can be mounted on both flat and tilted roofs, and works best on roofs that are unobstructed and not shaded during the sunniest hours of the day. Calculate how much it will cost to install BP Solar Home Solutions System by clicking here. BP Solar.

2 Mar 2009 | Solar Power |

Built-in Solar Electric System - Residential Roof Integrated, by Kyocera

Designed to visually blend with your home’s architecture, Kyocera’s MyGen Meridian built-in solar electric system installs flat with your existing concrete roof tiles. This solar system becomes integrated into your roof - it actually replaces some of the tiles as shown below. Meridian can be installed on a conventional roof of any pitch and is compatible with several manufacturers’ flat roof tiles. Assembled from high efficiency d.Blue solar cells, the system uses photovoltaic modules to convert sunlight into electricity, and is quick and easy to install and maintain. First, the frames are installed independently of the modules, and then all electrical connections on the roof are made via multi-contact connectors. Finally, the installed modules are blended with the roof to create a seamless and environmentally friendly built-in solar electric system. Here's one example of how it was done in Elk Grove, California...

26 Feb 2009 | Solar Power |

Grid-tie Photovoltaic Solar Power System by Kyocera - MyGen

The need to reduce power bills and a growing need for clean electricity are the forces behind Kyocera’s MyGen Grid-tie Photovoltaic Solar Power System. A value-added, environmentally sustainable solar electric system, MyGen comes in five different packages that use Kyocera KD180 modules in a variety of PV array configurations. Consisting of photovoltaic modules, a direct current to alternating current (DC-to-AC) power conversion device, DC wiring and protection, AC wiring and protection, lightning protection, component mounting and mechanical support, this interactive unit comes with everything you need to generate your own electricity. Another plus of this Kyocera solar system is that it is compatible with a wide variety of roof types and materials, and it can be sized to meet power requirements for maximum flexibility. Kyocera.

25 Feb 2009 | Solar Power |

Eco Friendly Flooring - Walking on Green in Madison, Wisconsin

Eco Friendly Flooring offers a selection of green flooring options to accommodate just about any design aesthetic. Cork flooring naturally repels many allergens and provides excellent insulation. Sustainable bamboo flooring is a popular choice that is available in six options. Constructed from natural ingredients, linoleum is soft, quiet and biodegradable. Reclaimed woods, milled into a tongue and groove configuration, provide solid, natural warmth underfoot.

16 Sep 2008 | Building Materials |

2008 Green Roof Award of Excellence in Downtown Chicago - Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects

In downtown Chicago, Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects succeeded in turning a stark 14,000 square foot rooftop into a spectacular eco-friendly retreat that captured a 2008 Green Roof Award of Excellence. The modular, living green roof is composed from hardy, low-maintenance plant materials such as grasses, tall verbena, phlox and nodding onion, which are arranged in patterns to facilitate views from above. The design also incorporates small trees, including Japanese tree lilacs and cranberry cotoneaster, to provide seasonal changes and additional texture. A generous “patio” is constructed with recycled concrete and sustainable, toxin-free ipe wood. Sleek pergolas - also constructed with ipe – provide shelter for stylishly comfortable seating and dining areas. In addition to providing a serene outdoor space with stunning views of the Chicago skyline, the green roof insulates the building from both heat and cold, absorbs storm water runoff and offsets noise pollution.

Photos courtesy of Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects and The Residences at 900.

12 Sep 2008 | Green Roofs |

Socially and Environmentally Conscious Furniture Design - Botanist by Orange22

The Botanist Blank Canvas project is the brainchild of Dario Antonioni and Brandon Lynne, whose vision is to “bring together innovators in a collaborative effort to create socially responsible products that raise funds and awareness for charitable organizations”. 2008 participants included notable designers such Yves Behar, Margo Chase, Milton Glaser, Kahi Lee, Karim Rashid, Joe Ricchio, Claude Zwelleger and Massimo and Lella Vignelli. Botanist matches each designer’s royalty to the charity or foundation of their choice.

On the environmentally conscious side, Botanist benches and nesting tables are constructed from a single sheet of aluminum, with an eye toward minimizing waste. The manufacturer uses recycled and recyclable aluminum to produce their super thin, yet surprisingly strong, modern and eco-friendly furniture.

By eschewing liquid paint in favor of powder coating with no VOCs, Botanist provides additional durability and eco-friendliness. Wood veneers harvested from sustainable managed forests are used to envelope the Natural Collection. A selection of Botanist designs and finishes may be used outdoors as well. And, if personalization is a high priority, custom colors and designs are available.

Photos courtesy of Botanist by Orange22.

10 Sep 2008 | Green Furniture |

Recycled Sink casted from 100% salvaged materials - Enviro Bath

Enviro Bath offers a unique selection of vanities, sinks and faucets for the bath; which, according to the company website, are produced with 100% recycled materials. Enviro Bath products are cast from salvaged brass, aluminum and other alloys that may have added to an already overburdened landfill load. The company’s diverse selection of 100% recycled designs ranges from the clearly modern Fantasia sink (below) to the intricately organic Bella Flor drop-in sink (above). Sierra brings a rustic aesthetic to a gently patinated sink and is available in many finishes including this classic Mystique. Faucet designs at Enviro Bath are distinctly varied as well; with exotic choices such as Tree Frog, Giraffe, Peacock and Bird of Paradise.
Photos courtesy of Enviro Bath.

10 Sep 2008 | Plumbing Fixtures |

Sustainable Furniture Doesn't Have To Be Dull - Eco-conscious Designs by Environment Furniture, Inc.

At Environment Furniture, Inc., the mission is to “propel eco-conscious design out of the aesthetic doldrums, creating breathtaking, environmentally sustainable furniture for a diverse array of consumers.” Wood for the construction of the modern furniture line comes from three sources: reclaimed, recycled or certified. Reclaimed wood is procured from the deconstruction of existing structures, including houses, sheds and barns. Recycled wood is obtained from salvaged boards or trees and is repurposed to produce items such as flooring and particleboard. Certified wood is sourced from forests managed in an environmentally responsible fashion and evaluated by third parties - such as the Forest Stewardship Council. In addition to creating sustainable furniture, the company is also making strides to reduce their carbon footprint by implementing recycling programs within their offices, greening the materials and lighting in their stores, and screening vendors for their environmental performance. Environment Furniture, Inc. has retail locations in New York City, Los Angeles and South Coast Plaza, located in Orange County, California.

5 Sep 2008 | Green Furniture |

Enovo Modular Homes with Bio Recognition

By deriving their name from the Cheyenne Indian word meaning “your home”, Enovo pays homage to “the Amerindian peoples’ profound respect for nature”. The modular homes, designed by a team of Canadian architects which includes IME Habitat president Karl Mongrain and Pierre Leclerc, offer a variety of configurations that optimize available space and feature evolutional capacity. Self-sustaining vegetation carpets the roof, providing natural insulation against heat and cold. Rainwater is collected beneath the green roof, filtered and recycled. Grey water is also collected from the kitchen, bath and laundry room. Enormous windows of high performance glass let in natural light to minimize the need for interior lighting during the day. Other green features of Enovo’s eco-friendly modular homes include solar-powered radiant heating, energy efficient appliances and a bio recognition home automation system designed by IME. Photos courtesy of Enovo