This year's Kitchen and Bath Industry Show at McCormick Place in Chicago offered evidence that the industry is presenting more efficient products. As I had expected, "green" was a major show theme. The green trend in 2008 started out with the NAHB's National Green Building Conference in February and has continued on through many events, including the Midwest Builders Show last month. Once I began my journey onto the expansive KBIS show floor, I was impressed by the amount of awareness and effort companies are making. 

Starting with American Standard, it was obvious that water conservation was the major theme of many of the big companies in the industry. The new Dual-Flush FloWise high-efficiency toilet from American Standard uses as little as 0.8 gallons per flush (gpf), and can save 30 percent more water than 1.6 gpf toilets. American Standard’s Flowise showerheads that use either 1.5 or 2.0 gpm were also showcased. Enclosed display areas were set up so that people could reach in and feel the showerhead's pressure output. Kohler, Caroma, and TOTO were among other brands that also had an impressive display of Watersense-labeled and/or Green-Spec listed products. 

Many of the major appliance manufacturers such as Bosch, LG and GE exhibited Energy Star products. Others were not as green. American Range, for example, was marketing large commercial grade ranges for residential use.

Radiant Heat was well represented by many companies, including Danfoss, Uponor and Warmup. Uponor showcased their new Multifunction Climate Control system which is designed to replace the Uponor pro Series line of temperature controls. The new controller features simple, plug-and-play Cat5 wiring for sensors and connection boxes, rather than conventional multi-strand thermostat wire.

Several cabinet companies showcased beautiful bamboo and other sustainable materials. A highlight was Koch & Co.’s Wheat Board cabinetry. Wheat board is a particleboard that is manufactured from wheat stalk fiber instead of tree fiber. Koch's wheatboard cabinets also use low or no VOC finishes, making their product one of the greenest. Koch also offers cabinetry made from German Beech wood, a sustainable wood product from the forests of Germany. When I spoke with Doug Martin, a Pollmeir rep marketing German Beech wood, he impressed upon me that the Beech wood coming from Germany is quite sustainable. Pollmeir’s German Beech wood meets sustainable forestry standards, including the Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification (PEFC) and makes up 57% of Germany’s hardwood forests.

There were several companies showcasing efficient tankless water heaters. Three standouts were Bosch, Rinnai and Noritz. Bosch's new products included their GWH 715 ES that has a flow rate of up to 9.2gpm and 82% thermal efficiency. They also showed off their condensing model GWH C 800 ES which offers flow rates of up to 10gpm with 92% efficiency. At the Noritz booth I found out they are donating 150 tankless water heaters to Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation project in New Orleans. Their tankless water heater will also be installed in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industries Smart Home Exhibit that opens 5/8/08.

Although there are more efficient products on the market than ever before, I couldn't help notice that luxury products were also plentiful. For example, not more than six feet away from the water conserving dual-flush toilets, there were six headed showers and heated bathtubs. As long as the consumer continues to buy these products, they will be offered. But if you'd like to see more green options, you can help show demand by purchasing them.