Repair & Improve

Greenest New Products for your Kitchen, Bath & Laundry

Favorite innovations from the 2008 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show

by Tom Kraeutler, AOL Home Improvement Editor

As the sight of green tells us spring has officially arrived, it was also a harbinger of earth-friendly innovation at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in April. Many a manufacturer introduced designers, builders and other pros to new products offering water and energy savings, composition from recycled and reclaimed materials, and features that make it easy to live green every day. Following are favorites from the show floor─keep these in mind as you plan improvements to green up your own home!

A green clean with steam
The word in green cleaning is steam, and LG’s new Steam Laundry Pair puts it to work to wipe out allergens and increase energy and water savings. The convenience of these new front-load laundry appliances begins at their generous square doors with an industry-leading washer capacity of 4.5 cubic feet and expansive 7.4 cubic feet of capacity in the dryer, adding up to fewer wash loads and bigger energy savings. Using LG’s TrueSteam Generator to produce real steam in the wash tub, the SteamWasher can reach the appropriate temperature to break down and remove allergens while keeping energy costs low, saving over 7,000 gallons of water annually and protecting clothing in the process. Its Smart Washing System monitors such factors as detergent levels, water hardness, temperature and water level to automatically adjust settings for optimal washing and rinsing, and an Allergiene Allergen-Reduction Cycle removes common allergens such as dust mites and pet dander.

The SteamDryer offers several great laundry care features as well, including SteamSanitary to quickly sanitize dry clothing and other items like blankets, towels and bedding; SteamFresh to reduce wrinkling in large loads and bulky items; ReduceStatic to neutralize static electricity in normal loads; and EasyIron, which lightly and evenly moistens a dryer load before the end of the cycle to make ironing easier. The Steam Laundry Pair also works quietly thanks to an enhanced anti-vibration system, and will be available in a variety of eye-catching finishes when it appears in consumer showrooms during the third quarter of 2008.

Use less energy to do dishes
Bosch dishwashers have long had reputation for quiet efficiency, and the new Ascenta model ratchets up the standard with an appealing, durable stainless steel and reinforced polypropylene design that’s an upscale alternative to all-plastic tub dishwashers. Like other Bosch dishwashers, the Energy Star-qualified Ascenta exceeds the federal energy standard by 36 percent, thanks in part to the exclusive ECOSENSE Wash Management System that examines the soil level in the water and customizes water consumption and heat to cut energy costs. Ascenta also has a Half Load option and a QUICKWASH program that allows you to run a speedy 30-minute cycle for smaller loads or less-soiled dishes. Its overflow protection system adds safety, and it’s the quietest dishwasher in its class thanks to sound reduction technology that includes a new drain pump to reduce noise as water is draining from the machine. What’s more, a redesigned and repositioned dispenser optimizes the release of detergent and rinse aid, reduces the amount of water spray hitting the unit’s inner door and lowers the volume of water used for the cleaning agents. Ascenta is now available in four models, three having easy-to-use exterior controls and one with sleek concealed controls.

Accessorize with the recycled beauty of cast stone
Sonoma Cast Stone has literally added a new layer of beauty to their lineup of concrete countertop and sink designs with the launch of the MetalCrete collection. MetalCrete products combine the heft and feel of solid stone with a dazzling plated finish of real copper, nickel, brass, bronze or steel, either over the entire surface or, for a truly unique look, the interior of a sink. Sonoma Cast Stone is also offering many of its kitchen and bath designs in new EARTHcrete formulas which make use of recycled paper fibers, glass, ceramics taken from municipal land waste sites, industrial by-products such as fly ash, and plentiful, locally available clays and other minerals.

The latest in low-maintenance, high-efficiency toilets
If you’re shopping for WaterSense-labeled high-efficiency toilets (HETs), look no further than American Standard’s stellar collection. The new Dual-Flush FloWise Two-Piece HET reduces water usage with a sleek, striking profile featuring a concealed trapway and provides a flush volume choice of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) or 0.8 gpf, potentially saving 30 percent more water than 1.6 gpf toilets. The transitionally styled Dual-Flush FloWise also happens to perform in the best category for bulk waste removal, and is available in an elongated bowl in either Right Height or standard height.

American Standard’s Compact Cadet 3 One-Piece is an HET with space-saving flair, incorporating a comfortable Right Height elongated bowl that fits in the same space as a round-front bowl. Its clean, dramatic look incorporates a rolled-edge detail on the tank top and slow-close seat, with a permanent EverClean surface that inhibits the growth of stain- and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface. The Cadet 3 Two-Piece also offers these design hallmarks and water-saving performance, as does the fashion-forward Tropic Two-Piece with its contemporary styling and a trip lever that perfectly coordinates with American Standard’s Tropic Faucet.

Convenient control of electricity and water consumption
Maintaining a green scene throughout your home is made easy with GE’s SmartCommand System, which integrates existing and future heating, cooling, lighting, security and audio entertainment systems into a single color touchscreen. The new Energy Monitor product adds clever functionality to help the homeowner closely manage electricity and water consumption by consolidating feedback from home appliances and systems, and graphically depicting energy utilization on the unit’s touchscreen. Current local utility rates can be entered for an even more specific picture of energy spending, and if someone in the family has a habit of leaving lights on behind them, you can easily shut off fixtures in empty rooms using the convenient SmartCommand controls.

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