Energy savings a hot topic at Franklin County Builders Show

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Children talk with Waste Management s robot Cycler during the Builders Show in Waynesboro on Saturday.

Vendors offered products ranging from bathroom tiling, rainwater harvesting, flooring, landscaping, kitchen cabinets as well as financial services to fund future projects.

Bill Mooney, president of Appalachian Energy Systems, LLC, was at the show promoting the latest in solar energy - evacuated tube solar collectors to heat homes.

"They're the most efficient solar collectors on the market," Mooney said. "Inside the tube is a heat pipe, which was invented by a Pennsylvania company in the 1950s."

Inside the tubes are two drops of water in a vacuum that boil at a low temperature, he said.

"As soon as the sun's energy hits the collection plates on the tubes, it boils the water," Mooney said.

With a 92 percent efficiency rate, Mooney said they are working on developing the tubes to use the energy for air conditioning as well.

"Using evacuated tubes for air conditioning is probably going to be next summer's hot buzz thing," he said.

Also for outside the home, Clean Energy Homes was demonstrating how homeowners can harvest their rainwater to use again.

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Energy savings a hot topic at Franklin County Builders Show