Go Green

Living Green for a Healthier Lifestyle
It's just better for the environment.

The next generation of central vacuums is here now!
Save Energy/Money • Help Save the Environment

This year, the National Association of Homebuilders wi ll ratify National Green Building Standards that offer a significant boost for the central vacuum industry. These new standards will allow a builder who installs a central vacuum system to claim five points toward having a home platinum certified, which requires a total of 108 points. The NAHB standards are the strongest endorsement that use of a central vacuum system drastically improves the quality of air in your home. In 2005, the estimated number of builders utilizing Green standards increased by 20, and an additional 30% the following year. Out of those builders, two-thirds of them have said they believed that building green is here to stay and not just a fad. When asked what green features were important to their buyers, 83% of the responses from builders said indoor air quality, which ranked second only to energy efficiency. About half of the builders also said that building green helped them improve their sales and increased their traffic.

 
Drainvac's Disposable Paper Bags are 100% biodegradable, another first leading the industry.

New Central Vacuum System Green Approved

Drainvac International Inc.'s National Green Building Certification puts them amongst Fortune 500 companies such as DuPont Building Innovations, Dow Building Solutions, and The Dow Chemical Company to name a few. This prestigious award doesn't come easy. Dranvac's recent "Green Approved" certificate is an incredible honor not only for Drainvac but also by respected builders and contractors in the industry. What is living green?
Living green represents a commitment to make products that are easily recyclable, contain no toxic elements and do not release a significant amount of pollutants into the air. It's a way to conserve and save energy and materials and reduce the size of landfills which can be harmful to the environment.

In the "Green" market, there are 3 different aspects to the marketing behind it. The first being the most important, the reduction of the amount of energy consumed. By using a central vacuum over a conventional upright or canister vacuum, you stand to reduce the amount of energy consumed drastically. Second, what health aspects are increased by cleaning with a central vacuum? Does it actually add to a healthy home? And finally, do the manufacturers actually produce their products using an Environmental Management System in their factory and are the dealers following this effort?

Important Facts About The Air Your Breathe

Since most people spend about 90% of their time indoors, poor indoor air quality can affect their health, safety and comfort - especially in children, the elderly, and allergy sufferers alike.
American Lung Association

Allergy sufferer's symptoms can be improved up to 61% when using a central vacuum system. "It's the best investment for you can do for your health"
University of California
Davis School of Medicine

Using a central vacuum system significantly reduces dust mites, pollens, animal dander and other allergy causing agents from your home.
U.S. EPA

Central vacuum systems are among the best indoor air quality investments for your home. Also, adding to the value of your home.
BUILDER Magazine

Going Beyond Green Vacuums

Simple things around the house that you can do to save energy

• Do Full Loads of Laundry

Whenever you wash just a few clothes or dishes at a time rather than waiting for a full load to gather, you're wasting water, power, and money. The average American family of four washes about 540 loads of laundry a year, which consumes up to 21,000 gallons of water; and more than 150 loads of dishes, which uses about 1,500 gallons. Most of the energy consumed by washers goes toward heating the water - about 90% in the clothes washer and about 80% in the dishwasher. Combining half-loads, choosing shorter cycles and using cold or warm water rather than hot water racks up savings.

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• Recycle Old Electronics

Americans tossed out an incredible 5.5 billion pounds of electronics (TV's, stereos, cell phones, computers) in 2005, according to the EPA. Only about 12.5% of this was recovered for recycling. The result was millions of pounds of chemicals and heavy metals ended up in the ground even though it's easier than ever to recycle electronics. The Consumer Electronics Association created a website to help people find a recycling center in their area. You could collect electronics in a box and make a drop-off a few times a year, for example. Their website also provides a list of things from laptops to baby monitors that are easier on the environment and your energy bill.

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• Fix Leaks!

The next time you fill up a glass of water, think about this: we each use about 100 gallons a day, enough to fill 1,600 glasses. Household water consumption has increased by 200% since 1950, even though the population has grown by only 90%. As a result, more than 36 states are expected to face water shortages in the next six years. Stemming the flow is as easy as fixing a leaky faucet or toilet, a dripping faucet can waste up to 74 gallons a day, a leaking toilet up to 200 gallons a day!

Drainvac, Green Approved Product

Drainvac Central Vacuum Systems are Green Approved by the National Green Building Certification.

Have been approved for points toward National Green Building Certification to the ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard as shown below. The NAHB Research Center hereby authorizes accredited verifiers to award these points toward certification when the products are used in accordance with the conditions shown below and the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

This information has been verified by independent third-party testing or evaluation.
Certificate #00157

PRATIQUE # 902.5
Description : This central vacuum system must be vented to the outside.

Signé par : Robert L. Hill, Directeur des Laboratoires Scientifiques et des Programmes de Certification Centre de Recherche NAHB • 400 Boulevard Prince George • Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 •

None of the companies mentioned above are sponsoring or affiliated with Thinkvacuums.com