ORLANDO, Fla. (Orange County Convention Center, Booth #W701) (February 13, 2008) – While energy- and water-saving appliances have been a staple at Whirlpool Corporation for years, the company is further supporting the building community’s quest for green design by developing a showcase kitchen and laundry areas featuring all sustainable products. Building and design professionals can get a first-hand look at the Sustainable Kitchen by visiting the Whirlpool Corporation booth during the 2008 International Builders’ Show(R). “Whirlpool Corporation makes more ENERGY STAR(R) qualified appliances that anyone in the world, but we realize we have a much larger responsibility,” said Mark Johnson, FAIA, CKD, architect and senior manager of architecture and design marketing at Whirlpool Corporation. “Through efforts like the Sustainable Kitchen, we are demonstrating sustainable design ideas to help builders incorporate green home features that save energy and natural resources, while providing homeowners with comfortable, efficient and healthy homes.” The kitchen and laundry areas incorporate sustainable building materials from a number of different manufacturers, including: · Cabinetry – All wood comes from responsibly managed forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council(R) (FSC). · Appliances – KitchenAid(R) and Whirlpool(R) ENERGY STAR qualified undercounter refrigerator and dishwasher; a highly energy-efficient induction cooktop;* a double oven with energy-saving microwave and convection technology, and an ENERGY STAR qualified washer and dryer pair. · Countertop | IceStone(R) – Due to the VOC-free, high recycled content and Cradle to Cradle(TM) certification, IceStone(R) durable surfaces are ideal for projects seeking LEED(R) certification. · Flooring | Marmoleum(R) – Marmoleum(R) is a natural choice for floor coverings. It qualifies for credit in two LEED(R) for New Construction categories: Materials and Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality. · Ceiling Panels | 3form(R) – The Varia Organics collection showcases carefully selected natural materials encapsulated in Ecoresin(TM), which contains 40 percent recycled material and is Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified(R). · Sliding Laundry Door & Upper Cabinet Inserts | Veritas(TM) – Veritas ResinArt(TM) panels are engineered to be environmentally friendly. They are manufactured to avoid hazardous substances known to be associated with ozone depletion, ground water pollution and soil contamination. · Cultured Stone(R) | Owens Corning(R) – The Cultured Stone(R) manufacturing process involves the use of fly-ash, regrinding and reusing scrap concrete products and a closed loop water recycling system. · Cabinet Stain and Back Wall Finish| Safecoat(R) – Low-VOC stain (cabinets) and zero-VOC paint (back wall finish) from Safecoat(R) helps reduce and eliminate off-gassing of hazardous toxins into the air. · Cabinet Pulls | Spectradécor(TM) – Cabinet pulls are made from lead-free pewter, along with environmentally friendly Ecoresin(TM). · Aluminum (Doors, Cabinets and Ceiling Structure) – Recycling aluminum is less costly to the environment than processing new material. Plus, aluminum can be recycled again and again. · LED Lighting – LED lighting is highly energy efficient, offers long life and generates very little unwanted heat. Show attendees are also invited to see the “Designing the Sustainable Kitchen” presentation, using Google(R) SketchUp(TM) software at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day of the show. More than 10 different presentations on sustainable home design will be featured at the Digital Green(TM) Theater in the Whirlpool Corporation booth every half hour during the show. For more than 30 years, Whirlpool Corporation has been committed to effectively utilizing and preserving natural resources. In 1970, Whirlpool Corporation created a corporate office for environmental control; and in 2003, the company became the world’s first appliance manufacturer to announce a greenhouse gas reduction strategy. Additionally, the company announced in 2007 plans to increase its commitment to environmentally-sound business practices by reducing total greenhouse gas emissions 6.6 percent by 2012. Whirlpool Corporation will make these global, voluntary reductions while at the same time increasing production by 17 percent. Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion, more than 73,000 employees, and more than 70 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Gladiator, Brastemp, Bauknecht, and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for architects and design professionals, please visit www.insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-253-3977.
