BOSTON, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Energy-efficient combined heat and power building systems, "green" fire suppression systems, environmentally sound refrigerants, and elevators with regenerative drives are among the innovative products that United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) is showing today at the U.S. Green Building Council's Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Boston.

A founding member of U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), UTC is committed to energy efficiency and conservation in its operations and long-lived products in use around the world. At Greenbuild, UTC is reporting progress on its local and global programs to educate and raise awareness on ways to reduce CO2 emissions from buildings, which comprise 40 percent of the world's energy use.

This year's conference marks the anniversary of UTC's $1 million support for Greenbuild365, USGBC's online education and resource portal. The grant is part of UTC's philanthropic commitment to sustainable cities. USGBC recently re-launched the popular tool, with increased educational offerings, podcasts and expanded resources.

Last week UTC announced that it is helping the Hartford neighborhood agency SAND Corp. (South Arsenal Neighborhood Development) build affordable "Net Zero Energy" homes that will produce as much energy as they use.

The project goal is to build 100 zero-energy homes a year for 10 years. Construction begins early next year, with a pilot project of three distinctive two-family houses. United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, Conn., applied its sophisticated building modeling processes to balance myriad building elements, materials and systems for optimal energy saving. The integration of these features results in an energy demand 75 percent less than a house of similar size in New England. UTC's involvement is part of a UTC community program that contributes UTC employee skills and expertise to specific projects at community non-profit organizations.

Carrier, a UTC business unit, and United Technologies Research Center will join international experts and delegates in the Greenbuild International Forum discussion on experience and lessons from around the globe. Carrier, which won 70 percent of contracts for heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the Olympic Games last summer, will discuss the Beijing Olympic Village in the New Cities Panel. United Technologies Research Center will present an update on the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Energy Efficiency in Buildings Project.

In 2008 UTC committed to using the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system in all new UTC facilities -- whether owned or leased. UTC has a worldwide real estate portfolio of more than 100 million square feet, and is committed to designing and building new facilities with the lowest possible environmental footprint.

UTC is one of the world's largest producers of building systems and equipment. It is a leading member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and co-chair of a WBCSD project to promote zero net energy buildings as a key strategy for reducing worldwide energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2007 UTC Power became an official supplier partner to the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) and Carrier was the first heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) company to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the CCI for energy efficiency products.

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company that provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the building systems and aerospace industries. For more information, visit http://www.utc.com.

UTC Businesses at the Expo:

Carrier

Carrier's market-leading products condition interiors of residential, commercial, medical, government and public buildings, and protect and preserve the global food supply and other perishables.

Product examples include the Evergreen(R) 23XRV water-cooled chiller with Foxfire compression technology and HFC-134a non-ozone depleting refrigerant, the PrimeLINE(R) container refrigeration unit with up to 30 percent lower operating costs and up to 25 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions than competitive equipment, the CO2OLtec(TM) refrigeration system with a natural refrigerant carbon dioxide (CO2) solution for supermarkets and the 21 SEER Infinity with air purifier which controls humidity and improves air quality.

In 1994, Carrier was the first company to phase-out CFCs in
air-conditioning systems on a global basis -- two years ahead of requirements in the U.S. and 16 years ahead of mandates in developing countries. Carrier introduced Puron(R), a non-ozone depleting refrigerant, into air conditioning systems in 1996. The company is also leading the transition away from hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) to further protect the earth's ozone layer.

Otis Elevator Company

Otis Gen2 machine-roomless elevator system incorporates gearless permanent magnet motors that reduce energy usage by up to 50 percent compared to geared machines. The Gen2 system has unique patented flat, polyurethane-coated steel belts to hoist the elevator car. These belts require no additional lubrication, making them more efficient and cleaner for the environment. Otis leads the industry with more than 145,000 Gen2 units sold, making it the fastest-selling product in the company's history.

Otis is also displaying ReGen drives -- a product that draws energy from a fully loaded descending elevator or lightly loaded ascending car, converts it to electricity, and returns it to a buildings power grid for reuse. When a ReGen drive and Gen2 elevator are combined, the system can deliver energy savings up to 75 percent compared to geared systems with non-regenerative drives. Otis' ReGen drive is installed on the Gen2 elevators at the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, N.C., which was recently awarded platinum status from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for having the hospitality industry's most environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient building.

During the past decade, Otis reduced its energy and water consumption by 60 percent. Otis opened the world's first green elevator manufacturing facility in China's Tianjin Economic-Development Area (TEDA). The facility was built to the USGBC's LEED Gold Standards. Fast Company magazine listed Otis' ReGen drives and Gen2 elevator system among the top 50 ways companies are greening their businesses.

UTC Power

UTC Power is showcasing energy-efficient combined heat and power systems for buildings -- fuel cells and microturbine-based products -- and UTC Power's Energy and Sustainable Services organization, which offers energy audits, sustainable scorecards, renewable energy consulting, commissioning and retro-commissioning, and LEED consulting for new and existing buildings. UTC Power is also holding educational sessions on alternative energy options and products, LEED and LEED points, and State and Federal Incentive Programs.

UTC Fire & Security

UTC Fire & Security has a growing global portfolio of technologies that provide environmentally friendly solutions to protect people and property from fire and security hazards. The HI-FOG(R) system uses high-pressure pump units to produce an extremely fine mist of water micro-droplets to fight fire through cooling, radiant heat blocking and removing oxygen to suffocate the fire. HI-FOG(R) water mist penetrates fire and cools the surrounding air effectively, suppressing the fire with remarkably little water before it can spread. Soot particles bind to the mist, so smoke damage in minimized.

At UTC Fire & Security the Lenel OnGuard system analyzes building occupancy and provides real-time data that allows occupants to adjust heating, ventilation, lighting and power consumption in order to save energy. These and other technologies like low profile, no battery replacement smoke alarms and CO alarms will be presented at Greenbuild.

United Technologies Corporation

United Technologies Corporation

United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company that provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.

More from United Technologies Corporation