used to irrigate lawns and gardens (depend- ing on location/irrigation needs). Installing and properly configuring
sprinkler systems can help conserve water, but deliberately considering landscaping strategies, and plant and grass choices can also reduce outdoor water use tremendously. Zoning isn’t just for heating and cooling systems—exterior plantings can be zoned to ensure that the most water intensive gardening occurs in a small area close to the home, and that other landscape attributes are xeriscaped to reduce water consumption. Considerations for graywater reuse become paramount in areas with low rainfall, and can provide water for planting beds close to the home. Smart irrigation controls tailor water
applied to the needs of the plants, incorpo- rating data from weather, soil conditions, and climate to determine when to water and how much.
Water Softening and Filtration A hot issue, water softening and water filtra- tion have both pros and cons in regard to sustainability. Water softeners extend the life of equip-
ment and appliances by removing the potential for buildup in pipes and sensitive equipment. However, in some cases, over softening
can cause salty water, which can be aggres- sive to certain sensitive system components. In addition, places like California are
> First-Hour Rating (FHR). FHR measures how much hot water will be available during the busiest hour of the day. A large tank does not necessarily translate to a higher FHR. The recovery rating is im- portant as it indicates the water heater’s ability to replenish hot water as it is drawn from the tank.
> Efficiency. The water heater’s efficiency is measured as an Energy Factor (EF), which is usually listed beside the EnergyGuide label; the higher the number, the more energy efficient the water heater.
Outdoor Use Some sources say that up to 56% of water used around the home in the summer is
considering bans on softeners because of the salt they deposit into municipal systems. The verdict is still out on this one—no one seems to have a conclusive, scientifically valid answer to the question of acceptable salinity levels. As for filtration, in some cases it is necessary because of poor water quality, but the sheer volume of water wasted being processed in systems like a reverse osmosis filter are enough to make you wonder about the net gain—and their long-term sustain- ability. Ultimately, the efficiencies on water softeners as well as water filtration systems can be extremely low, so it’s important to understand the need and the system before installation. GB
October 2010 GreenBuilder
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