1. Siemens Demand Flow ^
In addition to showcasing the company’s Gamma lighting control system and Desigo CC building automation station, Siemens was busy promoting the energy savings Siemens Demand Flow technology can achieve in commercial buildings. According to Siemens, “Demand Flow optimizes temperature set points for chilled water and condenser water, while controlling pump and fan speeds to maintain the proper energy balance.” By optimizing chiller plants, which often are huge energy hogs, Demand Flow can reduce that energy consumption by up to 50%, as it did in the Aquarium of the Pacific (pictured), saving $168,000 in the first year alone. siemens.com
2. Kone UltraRope
As buildings get higher, elevators have to able to reach the top, but according to Finland-based KONE, current technology places a glass ceiling of sorts on what kinds of heights and performance elevators can reach. At BOMA’s Every Building Conference, KONE’s super-light rope technology called UltraRope promised an answer to these issues. With a carbon fiber core and special high-friction coating, the third party-approved UltraRope boasts a lifetime twice as long as current technology, a 60% reduction in moving masses, and a 15% reduction in energy consumption. The beauty is that those numbers become more dynamic the taller the building, as efficiencies are compounded with greater heights. kone.com
3. Trane Tracer SC ^
Thanks to smart phones, smart homes are also increasingly a reality, with homeowners controlling locks, lights, and heating and cooling remotely. Trane is working to show that the same is possible for commercial buildings. With the scalable, Web-based Tracer SC building automation system, which has the capability of controlling everything from HVAC to lighting, owners, occupants, and facilities managers can access building information in a user-friendly way via the Tracer SC Operator Suite app (pictured), which is optimized for computers, tablets, and phones. trane.com
4. Terminix EcoControl
Pesticides aren’t healthy for humans, whether they’re on our food or in our offices. That’s the idea behind Terminix Commercial’s EcoControl program, which prioritizes prevention over toxic pesticides by working with building owners to identify and eliminate conditions conducive to pests. Prevention is always more cost-effective, considering the costs of long shutdowns and the potential healthcare costs of employees harmed by pesticides. When pests are a problem, EcoControl offers plant-based essential oils and alternative methods. It’s a more healthful approach, for the environment and employees. terminixcommercial.com
5. Home Depot Eco Options
A challenge for every decision-maker (whether building owner or homeowner) is sorting through green claims. Home Depot recently launched a company-wide program called Eco Options to help. Think of it as a public service announcement that is available any time. Part guide, part education platform, the Eco Options program is organized to help consumers easily identify  products that will truly increase indoor air quality, conserve water and energy, and carry a small carbon footprint. It’s partnered with the FSC and USGBC to provide information and products that will contribute to LEED certification. ecooptions.homedepot.com
6. ThyssenKrupp Synergy ^
Focusing on energy efficiency and performance, ThyssenKrupp also continues to innovative in the world of elevators, offering canola-based hydraulic fluid (previously); its Synergy system, which uses regenerative drive technology to capture energy (pictured); and the TWIN, which was engineered to handle two elevator cars in the same shaft, reducing space and materials and optimizing building configuration. According to the company, impressive energy cost savings can be achieved in modernization projects, particularly for high-rise hotels, office, or residential buildings. Data from various projects in America and Germany showed “reductions in power requirements of up to 70 percent.” thyssenkrupp.com
7. Waste Management Total Recycling Program
“Holistic” is a word that gets thrown around a lot in green circles, but few people are privy to the “whole” picture when it comes to sustainability. There are just too many factors to consider. Waste Management has taken those factors into consideration to offer a holistic and sustainable approach to recycling. The company’s Total Recycling Program uses a simplifying step-by-step plan to help building owners reduce environmental impacts while increasing operational efficiencies. Key to the program is a dedicated strategist, who oversees each step of the process, which begins at evaluating all materials coming into and leaving a building and ends with a continual measure-and-improve framework, which allows owners to continue to improve recycling performance. wm.com
8. Delta H2Optics ^
Every building owner wants to conserve water, and touchless faucets have allowed them to do so simply. But there are more savings to be achieved, and Delta is determined to achieve them. At the expo, Delta showcased electronic faucets with its H2Optics technology, an advanced sensor that isn’t confused by dark clothing or differences in lighting conditions. Covered by an impressive 5-year warranty, all faucets are water-saving products at 0.5 gpm, versus the industry standard of 2.2 gpm. (We’re also excited about Delta’s Proximity Sensing Technology, which turns the entire fixture into a sensor—optics not required.) delta.com
9. Schindler Destination Interface ^
A particularly thoughtful approach to elevator efficiency is focusing on the occupants as much as the engineering. Grouping passengers by floor is a way to reduce trips and therefore increase energy savings, and Schindler’s Destination Interface enables that very thing. The system can be integrated into existing buildings and any elevator, regardless of manufacturer, communicating with Schindler’s PORT (Personal Occupant Requirement Terminal) technology to reduce wait times and improve traffic handling by up to 30%. According to the company, passengers “select their desired floor number before entering the elevator using a pre-programmed keycard or device. A computer then groups those going to the same or nearby floors and assigns them to a specific elevator car.” schindler.com
10. Georgia-Pacific enMotion ^
For facilities looking to reduce waste and the risk of cross contamination, Georgia-Pacific’s enMotion paper towel dispenser can create cleaner, more cost-effective lavatories. The product, an ideal fit for manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, or office facilities, is ADA-compliant and can be used in conjunction with EPA-approved and EcoLogo-certified paper towels with recycled content. gppro.comÂ
