January 2013: HOG Review of 2012

Rainwater HOG had a productive 2012, watching our customer base expand and sharing the bounty of rainwater harvesting across the U.S. and internationally in a variety of venues – from big city affordable housing developments to big island affordable housing developments, from elementary schools to LEED Platinum homes, and from contests to conferences.

                                        What People Are Saying

“I liked [the HOG tank] not only for its technical purpose, but also for its innovative design that I thought the kids would connect with. At that age the “cool factor” weighs in on personal connection.”
– Mindy Germain, co-chair Daly Green Committee on HOG tanks at the Daly School Garden

“Water is already a scarce resource, even more so on an island. We anticipate changes in utility fees and building codes to encourage more harvesting of rainwater. HOGs are an important first step in that dialogue.”
– Daniel Sandomire, Vice President of Armstrong Development, Ltd. on HOG tanks at the Department of Hawaiian Homelands Maui development

“Instead of taxing the taps, the home’s drought-tolerant garden can be watered with runoff from the roof… Because the HOGs [tanks] are slim, they can be positioned directly under a downspout without blocking the walkway – a necessity on a tight city lot like this.”
– Dwell Magazine on HOG tanks at the Simpatico Prototype House

August 2012: Glencoe Green Home

Twenty-five miles outside of Chicago,  the fifth LEED Platinum home in Illinois was certified in December 2011 in the town of Glencoe. Barry and Natalie Slotnick publicize their residence online as the Glencoe Green Home.

“The fact that it is a traditional home that is LEED Platinum makes it a unique structure,” says Barry Slotnick, of his Glencoe Green Home.

“Our two children are the biggest motivator,” explains Barry, on the inspiration behind building a home to the highest environmental standards. “They are four and six. The world will be theirs and their kids and grandkids.”

He identifies the most distinctive feature of his Illinois home, constructed from April 2010 through April 2011, as its traditional facade . It fits into the neighborhood. “It looks like it was built in 1911 rather than 2011,” says Barry.

The heightened functionality of the home belies its conventional facade. The materials and technologies used help save energy and minimize its environmental impact. The Glencoe Green Home has a green roof, solar rooftop panels, Energy Star appliances, and windows and sliding glass door sized and oriented to increase passive solar energy. Water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable landscaping were considered during construction. Additionally, a modular, off-site construction method reduced the energy and waste output and shortened the overall build time.

Rainwater HOG features in the LEED certification of the Slotnick’s home. The main roof was configured to direct rainwater towards the east side of the house and into two vertically-mounted HOG tanks.  “HOGs work well because of their design,” explains Barry, after using them for over a year to irrigate arbor vitae around the perimeter of the yard. “They have a very good outflow.”