North American airports go to new heights: Going green

Airports across North America
are embracing the green movement
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

Airports across North America are jumping on the green bandwagon and making some drastic operational changes. Over the past year, more than five airports have moved in a more eco-conscious direction.

The two areas airports are focusing on are:

• Incorporating solar power in their existing infrastructure  

• Aiming for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental (LEED) Certification

LEED Certification

LEED was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is a resource companies can use to ensure they are complying with green practices in the areas of building design, operations, construction and maintenance.

In the past year, at least three airports have been LEED certified.  

The Winnepeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport in Manitoba is Canada’s first LEED certified airport and features natural lighting and mechanical systems that help to reduce consumption.  The airport is 25 percent more efficient than Canada’s building code requires.

The Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal in Atlanta received a LEED Silver certification and its green features include water and energy conservation, as well as good indoor air quality. The airport has also used low VOC materials for the buildings, which include paints, sealants and recycled wood products. 

The San Francisco International Airport has redone Terminal 2 and garnered a LEED Gold certification for its efforts. The terminal’s eco-conscious features include recycling some of the original infrastructure of the space, while saving on water and energy consumption and reducing overall waste.

Solar Power

Though several airports have made strides to install solar panels on their buildings, there are two airports of particular note that are creating solutions that are both cost effective and eco-friendly.

The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport recently revealed plans to refit the rooftops on the car rental center and two other garages with 5.4-MW of solar power. The expectation is that 51 percent of the energy utilized by those buildings will be solar powered, resulting in $ 4.7 million in savings over the next 20 years.

The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority in Tennessee has already implemented one element of its plans by setting up a 1-MW array close to the airport which has already reaped benefits. In just two months, that array helped save over 62 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the air. The airport hopes to build a solar farm that will, when completed, consist of 3-MW of solar power, an ambitious project for a smaller airport.

Have you been to any of these airports? Let us know what you thought!

Source: Earth Techling

Taking green one step further

Electrocorp's I-6500 series
are designed for use with
HVAC systems

The trend toward greener airports is encouraging and environmental consultants have undoubtedly been involved in helping to realize these various plans.

As with any construction or refurbishment project, materials are not the only concern for ensuring good indoor air quality. An air cleaning system which operates continuously is a necessity when expecting good indoor air quality on a long-term basis.

Installing air cleaners within HVAC systems in airports will help clean the air of particle and chemical pollutants through the use of HEPA and activated carbon filters.  As a result, in addition to an eco-conscious ethos, airport authorities can ensure healthy air quality for both employees and travelers.

For more information on Electrocorp’s air cleaners, call one of our IAQ experts at 1-866-667-0297 or contact us through our website.

Show  your support for greener and healthier environments by becoming a follower of this blog.

China leads the world in eco-cities

Eco-cities are now becoming more the norm than the exception
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

A recent survey by the University of Westminster indicates China builds the most eco-friendly cities in the world. 

Despite having a reputation for being one of the most polluted countries on earth, China has been making some significant strides in creating housing complexes that are both cost-effective and help residents consume less.

These eco-cities are popping up all over China, but people seem to move there more for the low prices and health benefits than for environmental reasons. 

Despite the fact that questions still abound with regards to China's primary source of energy used (coal-fired electricity) and how easily plant life can survive in polluted cities like Dezhou, steps have been taken toward building more eco-conscious, energy-saving apartment buildings.

The second-most eco-friendly country has been slated at the United States. Unlike the Chinese, Americans tend to prize eco-friendly homes for the positive impacts they have on the environment.

Source: USA Today

 Building safe and ecological homes

When environmentally-friendly apartment complexes are planned, many different building materials are needed.

From sustainable lumber to formaldehyde-free insulation to multiple air filtration systems and VOC-free paints, there are a lot of elements to incorporate into the design and construction of these complexes. 

For buildings that are built in polluted or industrialized areas, it is extremely important to protect the residents’ health; both on the inside and outside of the buildings.

Merely using eco-friendly materials is not enough. Living in polluted surroundings will undoubtedly affect the indoor air quality. This is why installing air cleaners in the central air system is extremely important.

Air cleaners for eco-friendly homes

An integral part of the planning process is the environmental consultant. He or she will suggest which materials are most beneficial for the environment.

Working in conjunction with architects, environmental consultants can determine the best industrial-grade air cleaners to use with regards to the size of the buildings and their proximity to polluted areas. 

Electrocorp's I-6500 series

Electrocorp’s I-6500 AH is an industrial-grade air cleaner which contains a filter of up to 160 pounds of activated carbon.

This filter is used to eliminate pollutants, like ozone, exhaust fumes and other organic chemicals, from the air. It is also refillable.

An additional 12-inch deep medical-grade HEPA filter helps to rid the air of particles as small as 0.3 microns.

The unit is completely customizable and can be attached to the building’s central air system. 

Installing units such as this one will result in an eco-friendly home, from the inside out.

Do you or someone you know live or have been to an eco-city? Share your story with us!

Show your support for green working environments by becoming a follower of this blog.

Electrocorp offers air cleaners for commercial, residential and industrial applications. For more information on Electrocorp and its products, contact us.

Green the way to go for more businesses

An eco-friendly approach to business pays off for
many companies, numbers show.

Earth Day has come and gone, but the environmental movement is a year-round affair – and many businesses are turning green changes into profits.

It helps that many environmentalists demand greener products and feel that it makes financial sense.

From greener and more fuel efficient cars and a variety of organic products to eco-friendly dry-cleaning and lawn care – the choice has been growing for people all across North America.

Green businesses in the United States make up a $175 billion industry, which employs nearly 2 million workers.

Consumers are becoming more aware of a product’s makeup and ingredients, and they are demanding products with fewer added chemicals and synthetic materials.

And even businesses that involved a lot of harmful chemicals and solvents now find ways to become greener:

Car repairs and auto body shops

• Recycle materials such as metals, oil, tires and antifreeze
• Use organic glass cleaners, wheel degreasers, car-wash detergents and other products
• Use bulk products rather than individualized bottles to cut down on waste and packaging

Dry cleaners

• Use eco-friendly laundering agents such as liquefied carbon dioxide, silicone and biodegradable detergents instead of the commonly used solvent perchloroethylene (perc)
• Put clothes in plastic bags that are made from recyclable materials and biodegradable

Cleaning services

• Use nontoxic, biodegradable agents that won’t affect indoor air quality
• Clean with reusable microfiber cloths
• Vacuum with a low-energy, HEPA filtration vacuum

Source: Miami Herald

Improve air quality with carbon + HEPA air cleaners

Greener and less toxic products are the first step towards a healthier and safer work environment, but many people are still exposed to chemicals and other toxins on the job, which can come from building materials, products that are used or manufactured and other sources.

Electrocorp offers portable and powerful air cleaners for the widest range of indoor air contaminants, including chemicals, gases, odors, particles, dust, allergens, bacteria, viruses and mold.

The air cleaners feature a complete air filtration system with deep-bed granular activated carbon, HEPA as well as optional UV germicidal filtration for biological contaminants.

The air cleaners are effective, energy-efficient as well as long-lasting, with reusable carbon canisters and other green features – and they can make a huge difference in the air quality in any space.

See also Electrocorp's air purifiers for auto body shops and garages.

For more information, contact Electrocorp.