HELSINKI, March 31/PRNewswire/ -- Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, and the city of Helsinki are launching an international competition for building a sustainable and innovative block in the Western Harbor of Helsinki. This competition is a search for teams that can provide an architecture of solutions.

"The project to build up a harbor area almost in the middle of Helsinki is very innovative in the sense that we are genuinely combining different aspects of urban, environmental, social, and business innovation. We aim to prove that national and international sustainability targets can be reached cost-effectively through high quality architectural solutions that are robust and reproduceable," says Marco Steinberg, Director of Strategic Design in Sitra.

"What is clear is that no single organization, profession or ministry can achieve the goals of sustainable urban development by itself. It will require an architecture of solutions including low or no carbon buildings; sustainable economic models; enhanced mobility; sustainable planning and energy policies; resilient social systems among countless others. And for each problem, care must be taken to ensure that the solution will not undermine progress at different scales. This is a way to promote systemic changes that reach the whole scale of what is at stake," Marco Steinberg continues.

 

NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE: EME), a Fortune 500(R) leader in mechanical and electrical construction, energy infrastructure and facilities services for a diverse range of businesses, reported that as previously noted on its 2/26/09 Fourth Quarter Earnings Call, its Welsbach Electric subsidiary has been awarded a contract to install electrical street lights for the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT).

Welsbach Electric will be responsible for furnishing and installing 83,000, state-of-the-art electronic 100-watt and 150-watt, energy efficient cobra head streetlight fixtures throughout the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Staten Island and The Bronx.

The New York City Department of Transportation oversees one of the most complex urban transportation networks in the world. The DOT also actively promotes the use of sustainable modes of transportation.

“Welsbach Electric shares the Department of Transportation's passion for efficiency,” said Keith Carney, President and CEO of Welsbach Electric. “We look forward to working with the DOT to assist in the movement of people and goods in the City of New York in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner.”

 

SPRING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biofuels Power Corporation (OTCBB:BFLS) announced today that it has closed its previously announced purchase of the decommissioned H.O. Clarke Electric Generating Station located five miles from downtown Houston. The purchase includes 79 acres of land at the intersection of Main Street and Hiram Clarke Road, together with all infrastructure, equipment, buildings and other improvements.

The H.O. Clarke property is adjacent to a 500 MW switchyard operated by CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP) and has ready access to the same Texas ERCOT grid that the Company has connected with previously. This site will become the foundation of the Houston Clean Energy Park providing a range of new technologies for clean power production. Planned elements include biodiesel-fueled electrical generation, low emission gas turbine power generation and renewable syngas generation. Future elements could include biomass and solar energy. The key to this site is its central location inside the nation's fourth largest city and the opportunity to build a model Urban Renewable Power Plant.

Fred O'Connor, Biofuel Power's CEO, said, “With the purchase of the H.O. Clarke facility, we are accelerating our power generation build out for this year. We believe the location and infrastructure of the H.O. Clarke facility provides us the unique opportunity for renewable powered large-scale industrial redevelopment in a world-class Houston location.” Mr. O'Connor continued, “We already have two plants in nearby Montgomery County that run on 100% biodiesel and generate 15 MW of green electricity that we sell into the ERCOT and Entergy Texas grids. We believe our planned Houston Clean Energy Park will become a model for clean industrial redevelopment nationwide.” Robert Roy of CenterPoint Energy added, “We are excited and fully supportive of green power into the grid. CenterPoint welcomes the opportunity to work with Biofuels Power on another renewable energy project.”

 

NEW YORK, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernard Amadei, founder of Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA), last night received the 2008 Award of Excellence from ENR (Engineering News Record), the magazine's highest honor. ENR is a publication of The McGraw-Hill Cos., New York City.

For the past 44 years, the editors of ENR annually have selected a group of top newsmakers who have served the best interests of the engineering and construction industry. Last night, Amadei was recognized by ENR as "... an academic who is giving engineering education a new twist, founding a movement catching on with students, professionals and global communities." Amadei will be the subject of a cover story in ENR's March 30 issue.

"It is a great honor for me to receive the 2008 award of excellence from ENR," said Amadei. "This award is meant to be shared by the staff and board of EWB-USA and the 12,000 engineering volunteers (students and professionals) who have the vision to making the world a better place. I am pleased to receive this award on their behalf.

"The engineering profession is called to play a critical role in contributing to peace and security in an increasingly challenged world," he added. "Helping 5 billion of the people at the bottom of the pyramid with the basic necessities of livelihood -- water, sanitation, shelter, security, energy, education, health, etc. -- is no longer an option for the engineering profession. It is an obligation," Amadei said.

 

Patented AeroCam Wind Turbine Provides Energy Savings for Commercial Customers

HARTFORD, Conn., March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- FM Facility Maintenance has made a major investment with innovative wind turbine producer, BroadStar Wind Systems of Dallas, in a strategic partnership to install energy efficient, building-mounted AeroCam wind turbines for major customer facilities. BroadStar is a design and concept leader in developing commercially viable wind-generated energy systems. The new program features BroadStar's patented AeroCam turbine, which uses a horizontal orientation to capture wind energy and generate power more efficiently, in a smaller footprint, than existing, comparable-sized turbines. The design is particularly well suited to rooftop locations of major retailers and multi-location customers, which are already serviced by FM Facility Maintenance (FM).

 

Web-based monitoring systems to determine energy-savings potential of new home heating systems

BOURNE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Onset Computer Corporation (http://www.onsetcomp.com), the world’s leading supplier of data loggers, today announced that it has received a large order from Ecotope, a Seattle, WA-based energy consulting firm, for its web-based HOBO(R) U30 Remote Monitoring Systems.

The systems, which will be used as part of an energy efficiency pilot program sponsored by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and other organizations, will measure the energy performance of ductless “mini-split” heat pumps in 120 homes throughout the Pacific Northwest. The goal of the project is to better understand the energy-savings potential of ductless heaters.

“There’s a big focus on getting ductless mini-split units in homes throughout our region and displacing electric resistance heat that’s still being used,” said Bob Davis, a research engineer with Ecotope. “We will be monitoring the ductless units for one year to understand how much of a home’s electric heat can be offset by ductless heat pumps.”

 

Nationwide events to focus on career discovery, sustainability

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has proclaimed April 2009 as National Landscape Architecture Month. ASLA’s 48 chapters across the country, as well as the national headquarters in Washington, D.C., will celebrate with public outreach activities to introduce the profession as a green career choice to children, parents and educators.

“The profession encompasses the design of anything imaginable in the space around, between, or even on top of buildings,” said ASLA President Angela Dye, FASLA. “For students interested in the environment, conservation, and a blend of science and artistic expression, a career in landscape architecture may be a great choice.”

April encompasses Earth Day on April 22 and the birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted on April 26, founder of the American landscape architecture profession. Examples of planned activities this month include job shadowing with landscape architects and hands-on demonstrations of sustainable practices, such as how to build a green roof and how to design a reading garden. Many activities are open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend. Visit www.asla.org/lamonth for a complete listing of events near you.

 

LONDON, March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- "Energy Efficiency" was the buzzword of 2008, and rightfully so. With high energy prices and the "green" movement in full swing, it made both economic and social sense to invest in energy saving technologies. Entering 2009, however, the world finds itself in a different economic situation. Energy prices have declined, and the financial crisis leaves companies with little or no capital to spend on investments. In light of these new economic conditions, it is questionable whether the trend toward energy efficiency will continue. However, Frost & Sullivan believes that the demand for energy efficiency in buildings will remain a powerful driver in the short and medium term future.

When oil prices peaked in 2008, it became clear that measures to reduce energy consumption were needed. This need, combined with increased environmental awareness and challenges to meet the rapid growth in global energy demand, fuelled the growth of the energy efficiency market. Energy efficiency seemed to be the perfect solution; organizations cut energy consumption costs by investing in green technology and earned themselves a greener image which gave them a competitive advantage.

 

Innovative Device that’s Easy to Install for Easy Energy Savings

COOPERSBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The path to energy efficient lighting takes another step forward with the introduction of the Wireless Occupancy Sensor from Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
Providing a simple way to go green, the innovative sensor is specifically designed for easy installation in conference rooms, copy rooms, small offices, classrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, restrooms, and other spaces where automatic lighting shut-off is desirable.
It installs in minutes. Simply place the sensor on the ceiling and replace your standard light switch with a compatible Lutron dimmer or switch – no wiring is required to the sensor. The sensor contains front-accessible buttons for easy setup and an illuminating lens to verify ideal locations.
The sensor contains cutting-edge technology to detect fine motions and perform reliably. It has user-replaceable batteries, designed to last up to 10 years.
For flexible and scalable energy-saving retrofits, up to 10 dimmers or switches can communicate with a sensor via radio frequency, and users can add up to 3 sensors for superior coverage.
The sensor saves energy by turning lights off when a room is unoccupied. Each Lutron Wireless Occupancy Sensor can save up to $85.00 a year.* What’s more, using a compatible Lutron dimmer, with the sensor, allows you to automatically turn lights on to a dimmed level rather than to full-on, saving even more energy.

 

MIAMI, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Akerman Senterfitt announced today that it now has Florida's largest group of lawyers accredited by the Green Building Certification Institute's LEED(R) AP program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional). This achievement is the result of a focused effort by Akerman's leadership to develop a leading sustainable development practice.

Recent Akerman lawyers to achieve LEED AP status include Sarah Campbell Smith in the Miami office, Kristen Guttmann in the Orlando office, and Jeffrey Lynne and Stacy Bercun Bohm in the Fort Lauderdale office. Ms. Bohm is one of the first in Florida to be both board certified in construction law and LEED accredited.

 

STEPS(TM) Total Protection System is a Commitment to Provide Healthy and Sustainable Property Protection

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arrow Exterminators, a leading pest and termite control company, today announced the launch of its new industry-leading sustainability initiative – the STEPS(TM) Total Protection System. Short for Sustainability Through Environmental Practices and Solutions, STEPS is a company-wide commitment to provide homes and businesses property protection using the most effective and environmentally-responsible methods available today.

“STEPS is a testament to our company culture and commitment to reducing our overall environmental footprint while focusing on the most effective methods of pest control to serve our customers,” said Emily Thomas, president and chief operating officer, Arrow Exterminators. “We believe that a thriving, healthy planet starts with thriving, healthy communities. This initiative has the potential to transform our industry, to go beyond pest control, and to contribute to creating a healthier planet and communities.”

 

BELFAIR, Wash., March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- By installing a new metal roof, consumers can reduce their tax burden, cut energy costs, help the environment and protect their biggest investment - their home.

As a result of the new stimulus package, homeowners who make energy-efficient updates to their home, including the installation of a painted or coated Energy Star(R) labeled metal roof, may be eligible for a tax credit worth 30% of the material costs, up to $1,500 per home. To qualify, the metal roof must be installed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. The timing couldn't be better to choose a durable, eco-friendly metal roof.

In addition to earning a tax credit, Energy Star-labeled metal roofs keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter, resulting in lower utility costs.

 

Six Proposed Multifamily Developments in Bellevue, Seattle and Olympia Benefit from New PSE Program

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Puget Sound Energy announced today that the utility has signed grant agreements totaling almost $650,000 with six developers to have their proposed local multifamily construction projects in Bellevue, Seattle and Olympia take advantage of a new energy conservation program recently launched by the utility. The program grants will help the complexes get built now with energy efficient designs and appliances, saving their prospective tenants energy and the environment in the long run.

Avalon Towers, Meydenbauer Apartments and Metro 112 in Bellevue, Bakhita Gardens and Hearthstone on Woodlawn in Seattle and Lancaster Townhomes in Olympia were awarded the first of the PSE program’s grants worth a total of more than $550,000 for electric-saving and more than $90,000 for natural gas-saving incentives to be incorporated into their design and construction.

“Many construction projects have stalled due to economic uncertainty in the last several months,” said Cal Shirley, vice president of Energy Efficiency Services for PSE. “The PSE conservation funds for these multifamily developments not only help preserve jobs as construction continues, but ensure that these residences won’t skip energy efficiency features because of budget concerns, making them a better investment for the future.”

 

SAN FRANCISCO, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- BCCI Construction Company is pleased to announce that The Energy Foundation, a partnership of major donors to new energy technologies, has been recognized with the first LEED Commercial Interiors - Platinum certified project in San Francisco.

BCCI worked closely with TannerHecht Architecture to fulfill the Foundation's vision for the use of energy efficient technologies in its office at the historic Bently Reserve Building on Battery Street in downtown San Francisco. The Platinum rating for LEED -- the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council -- is the highest possible designation on the commercial interiors scale.

 

Green Business Partnership to Introduce Axion’s Eco-Friendly Products to Government Infrastructure Projects

BASKING RIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Axion International Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:AXIH), a market disruptive designer and developer of eco-friendly structural building solutions made from 100% recycled plastics, announced the Company has signed an agreement with New York City-based consulting firm Ecological Development LLC (“Ecological”).

Ecological provides green retrofitting solutions by utilizing best-in-class software technology and cutting-edge green products to not only reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, but to also efficiently manage a building’s impact on all environmental systems. The Company has unique, industry-leading technology and partnerships that allow it to assess and implement regenerative solutions for all systems across portfolios of buildings.

 

Hevacomp and Tas Software Products Enable Engineers, Architects, and Energy Assessors to Predict Energy Consumption, CO2 Emissions, Operating Costs, and Occupant Comfort

EXTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bentley Systems, Incorporated, the leading company dedicated to providing comprehensive software solutions for the infrastructure that sustains our world, today announced the immediate availability in the United States and Canada of Bentley’s Energy Performance Series, the first robust software for building energy design, analysis, and simulation. Bentley’s Energy Performance Series, which includes Bentley Tas Simulator V8i, Hevacomp Simulator V8i, and Hevacomp Mechanical Designer V8i, has been proven in the very demanding U.K. market for the design and construction of high performance “green” buildings, including the iconic 30 St Mary Axe, Heron Tower, Terminal 5 Heathrow, 122 Leadenhall Street, and CityPoint, London. Now engineers, architects, and energy assessors in the United States and Canada can use this software to accomplish the additional and complex work that successful “green” building projects require – to assure they perform as predicted. This release of the Energy Performance Series highlights Bentley’s building performance strategy dedicated to the design, construction, and operation of better-performing, more sustainable buildings.

“In today’s economy, you must be certain you are providing your clients the highest quality work for their dollars,” said David J. Cusano, BIM/CAD Technology, SSOE, Inc. “This means working both harder and smarter to stretch that investment and assure the building meets expected performance goals. We feel Bentley’s Energy Performance Series will help us do just that.”

 

Centex Energy Advantage homes up to 40% more efficient than typical 10-year-old home

ELGIN, Ill., March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Centex Corporation has implemented the Centex Energy Advantage across the Chicago metro area, including homes in progress in four of Chicagoland's 10 best-selling neighborhoods. Centex Energy Advantage homes now under construction collectively are projected to avoid thousands of tons of greenhouse gas emissions over time.


Centex Energy Advantage is now available in all to-be-built homes ordered from Centex in a total of 10 active neighborhoods in northern Illinois, including Summerfield, Bristol Bay and West Ridge, which Hanley Wood Market Intelligence recently ranked among the 10 best-selling neighborhoods in the Chicago area. The first Centex Energy Advantage home in northern Illinois, a single-family home in the Bristol Bay neighborhood near Yorkville, is scheduled for delivery in March.

 

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Entech Solar (OTC BB: ENSL.OB), a leader in concentrating solar energy systems, announced today that it has entered into a research contract with Fraunhofer USA’s Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating high-efficiency back-contact silicon solar cells into Entech’s 20x concentrating solar systems.

Fraunhofer CSE will, in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), simulate, design, and test prototype back-contact silicon solar cells with the goal of providing a cell with significantly greater efficiency than those Entech currently uses. Fraunhofer will also make recommendations related to the future mass production of such high-efficiency back-contact cells for use in Entech’s products. Fraunhofer CSE will utilize its recently established solar development and test laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in conjunction with Fraunhofer ISE’s facility in Freiburg, Germany

 

VOORHEES, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK), the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company, today announced that it is encouraging all its customers to participate in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense “Fix a Leak Week” from March 16 to 20, 2009. Because minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes, this event is to remind Americans to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.

“Leaks can account for 11,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year, or enough to fill a backyard swimming pool,” said Dr. Mark W. LeChevallier, director of Innovation & Environmental Stewardship for American Water. “Fixing easily corrected leaks can save more than 200 gallons of water in seven days, which could add up to more than 10 percent savings in a water bill.”

 

New form allows for property repairs, replacements with “green” qualification.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CNA is helping commercial property policyholders “go green.” Through its new product offering, the EcoCareSM Property Upgrade Extension Endorsement, CNA customers can repair or replace damaged property using environmentally responsible and resource efficient materials and processes.

“Through our new EcoCare property endorsement, we can support customers who are already or aspiring to become environmentally friendly,” said Naveen Anand, senior vice president of Commercial Insurance, CNA. “Our EcoCare property endorsement provides coverage to make a property more eco-friendly than it was before the loss … whether the loss is a partial loss or a total loss.”

 

Federal Economic Stimulus Bill Expected to Fund Expansion of Program

BOULDER, Colo., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Bella Energy, a Boulder-based solar energy client, trained workers learning green construction skills as part of a Boulder County Green Jobs Pipeline Program. Together the crews installed a 10 kW solar system on an affordable housing unit in Louisville, Colorado. The Green Jobs Pipeline is dedicated to helping low-income Coloradoans in need of work attain the renewable energy and energy efficiency skills necessary to compete in the nation's New Energy Economy.


Boulder County hopes that funding from the federal economic stimulus bill will support expansion of the Green Jobs Pipeline Program, a joint effort between Workforce Boulder County (WFBC) and Boulder County Housing and Human Services (BCHHS), to train more eligible parents for future jobs in the booming green construction industry. The Colorado solar energy industry alone has grown 1,000% in the last three years and the Solar Energy Industries Association expects new federal legislation to create 60,000 new jobs in the national solar industry in 2009, or 111,000 over the next two years.

 

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced today it will form a Blue Ribbon Panel of design professionals to discuss and make recommendations on the National Park Service’s milestone plan, released online last week, which outlines a comprehensive overhaul of the historic National Mall. The National Park Service is seeking public comment on the plan during public meetings scheduled in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, March 11 and Saturday, March 14.

The panel’s leading landscape architects, architects and planners will meet this month to analyze the results of the National Park Service’s years-in-the-making planning effort. The National Mall represents one of the most prominent works of landscape architecture in the world – including the award-winning revitalization of the Washington Monument completed in 2008. As thought leaders on the role of landscape and design in public places, panel participants will provide invaluable input on creating a sustainable future for “America’s Front Yard.”

 

Currently at work on more LEED-registered hotels in Manhattan than any other architecture firm, Stonehill & Taylor defines the space where luxury hospitality meets truly sustainable design

NEW YORK, March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- With eco-friendly hotels in various stages of design and construction across the city, New York's hotel scene is finally going "green" -- and Stonehill & Taylor is leading the charge. There is no single firm more closely tied to this new wave of hospitality development than the Manhattan-based architecture and design firm: with no less than four LEED-certified hotel projects on the boards, the firm is working on a greater number of "green" hotels than any other in the city (www.stonehilltaylor.com). (Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] is a rating system for eco-friendly design and practices.) Stonehill & Taylor's specialty is incorporating state-of-the-art technologies, materials, and techniques, seemingly effortlessly, into its fashion-forward hotel designs. From the guest's point of view, these "green" elements will only enhance the overall luxury experience.

With a thriving hospitality practice, a team of LEED-accredited architects and interior designers, and an extensive "green" materials library, the firm had positioned itself to be on the forefront of this hotel boom well before these projects broke ground. Stonehill & Taylor is at work on the following LEED-seeking or LEED-certified hospitality projects in New York:

-- The NoMad Hotel (fall 2009)
-- Crosby Street Hotel (fall 2009)
-- The 94th Street Hotel (fall 2010)
-- Fifteenth Street Hotel (2011)

"It is gratifying for us to bring together two of our specialties, hotel design and eco-friendly architecture," said Paul Taylor, president of Stonehill & Taylor. "What's most exciting right now is this tremendous momentum -- with so many projects on the go, we have an opportunity to help shape New York's new hospitality landscape and, we hope, have some impact on its environment."

Stonehill & Taylor's mastery of LEED guidelines and its innovative approach to implementing them has helped set it apart in the category. Considering the ecology of each building as a whole, the team weighs every decision against its impact on its environment. "Green" techniques include: planting self-sustaining rooftops, which have enormous environmental benefits in addition to their aesthetic and social values; incorporating energy-saving mechanical systems; using locally-made materials/products made through sustainable processes; reclaiming building sites and materials; and implementing sophisticated recycling systems for water, waste, and energy. All of this is done at the highest end of the market from an aesthetics and amenities standpoint -- all of the firm's "green" hotels will receive four- or five-star ratings.

 

Industry association recognizes website's use of content, design, functionality and usability

NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Magazine Publishers of America (MPA) has awarded its 2008 MPA Digital Award for "Website of the Year: Enthusiast" to McGraw-Hill Construction's ArchitecturalRecord.com, the online companion to the print magazine, Architectural Record. The MPA Digital Awards recognize magazine brands that have shown excellence and innovation on a variety of digital platforms. Winners were announced today during the Magazines 24/7 Digital Conference at the Marriott Marquis in New York.

"We are pleased that ArchitecturalRecord.com has grown as the hub of a strong community, and we're honored to receive this recognition from MPA," said Robert Ivy, vice president and editorial director for McGraw-Hill Construction and editor in chief of Architectural Record. "With its rich content and innovative formats online, ArchitecturalRecord.com has built on the legacy of excellence from our print publication. We appreciate being recognized for our digital efforts, especially among so many outstanding peers in the overall magazine community beyond B-to-B."

"Architects and enthusiasts have truly embraced our social-media tools, and the tremendous amount of high-value content they contribute every day -- photos, comments, ratings and more -- plays a big role in our having such a rich and deep site," said Bryant Rousseau, editorial director of digital media, McGraw-Hill Construction. "It's a tremendous honor to be recognized as the Website of the Year."

ArchitecturalRecord.com has received many awards since its redesign in 2007, including two 2008 Neal Awards from American Business Media for Best Website and Best Online Article or Series; two 2008 Silver Ozzie Awards from FOLIO: for Best Cover and Best Use of Photography, and a 2007 Bronze Ozzie Award for Best Site Design. It was named to the BtoB Media Business 10 Great Media Web Sites List in 2007. McGraw-Hill Construction also received a 2008 Pluckie Award for Best Community Marketing for use of digital communities on all of its websites, including ArchitecturalRecord.com.

ArchitecturalRecord.com provides a mix of multimedia news and information and complements the monthly magazine Architectural Record, a staple in the industry for more than 110 years. In addition to the design and building science ideas, trend and key issue analysis, strategic recommendations, and computer-aided practice found in the print magazine, ArchitecturalRecord.com features exclusive interviews with giants of architecture, daily news updates, book reviews, archives, links to people and products, and access to continuing education opportunities.

 

MIDLAND, Mich., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- In cold climates, slips and falls due to frozen surfaces can cause a variety of injuries. A growing number of building owners are investing in an alternative approach to sidewalk snow removal - hydronic radiant heat snowmelt systems - a convenient, cost-effective solution for keeping sidewalks clear and safe.

The Dow Performance Fluids Business of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) supplies inhibited glycol solutions (like DOWTHERM(TM) and DOWFROST(TM)) for "built in" snow-melting systems in sidewalks, parking lots and other heavily traveled pedestrian walkways and promenades. Built right into the pavement, these hydronic snow-melting systems along with chemistry from Dow, deliver the heat needed to keep these and other thoroughfares clear of frozen hazards.


How Hydronic Snow Melting Works


Hydronic snowmelt systems consist of a heating unit, pumps, manifolds that control the flow to and from the "melting zone" and a closed loop of pipes, generally made of plastic installed underneath paved surfaces. A steady stream of heated inhibited glycol passes through the pipes and supplies heat to the snow covered surface. The warm surface causes the snow to melt and the cold fluid then is reheated and re-circulated. Some systems are equipped with sensing equipment and come on automatically when frozen precipitation is present, while others are operated manually. Once activated, snow and ice will melt as heat radiates up through the pavement, keeping them passable and pedestrian friendly.

For commercial applications in critical areas like hospitals, senior citizen housing, stairways and handicap access ramps, these systems are invaluable as the radiant heat helps prevent injuries and maybe even saves lives by keeping those areas clear from snow and ice. Fewer liability claims is another advantage as some insurance companies also recognize the value and will reward building owners with reduced insurance premiums. The need to physically remove snow or ice via shovels or plows is eliminated and there is no need to apply salt or gravel.


Peace of Mind


Hydronic snow-melting systems with Dow Performance Fluids are a convenient way to minimize the hazards posed by slippery sidewalks or other surfaces. With the right heat transfer fluid, they can provide years of reliable performance and peace of mind to building owners weary of battling winter ice and snow.


About Dow


With annual sales of $58 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products.

References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com