Green Living
Big Screen Green
Eco-friendly products take center stage in home theater designs.
BY
Brandi Wills

“Bring green to the screen in your home.” – The Green Girl

It can be especially hard being green when it comes to designing a home theater that boasts high-tech frills and thrills. From highly functional design elements to the technological components that keep us glued to our seats, it can be a challenge to find options that are eco-friendly.

What distinguishes a home theater from other rooms is a sleek, grand appearance and a design that maximizes sound control. BASWAphon Acoustical Finish System (www.baswaphonusa.com) provides a seamless, smooth, sound-absorbing surface with the appearance of painted drywall or plaster. BASWAphon is a green alternative to acoustical plaster, with a significantly higher NRC rating. The no-maintenance acoustical surface can be used in any environment where a sound-absorptive smooth or textured surface is desired. It can be laid flat, bent or curved to a two-foot radius, making it useful in both new construction and restoration projects. The use of 75% post-consumer recycled ingredients minimizes environmental impact and complies with Green Product industry guidelines.

The number one rule of going green with electronics is saving energy. Fans of liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions will be glad to know that these not only consume less electricity, they also contain less lead than cathode ray tubes (CRTs). Sony now offers 40", 46" and 52" models of high-definition LCD widescreen televisions with the ENERGY STAR seal, all available at Ultimate Electronics. ENERGY STAR qualified TVs use about 30% less energy than standard units. Each of these Sony models uses 0.54 watts of energy in standby, compared to non-ENERGY STAR products that can run up to three watts in standby mode.

From soundproofing wall and ceiling systems to the star of the show, your widescreen TV, green home theater products are taking center stage.


Green Product of the Month

Lutron Shading Solutions allow you to quickly and easily control sunlight to prevent harsh U/V rays from causing heat buildup and damaging expensive furnishings. With the touch of a button, you can automatically raise and lower shades, helping control your home’s temperature, and thus your energy usage. Available at AUTCOhome, 11610 Page Service Rd., 314-373-2000, www.autcohome.com.