GREEN SYSTEMS
Conserving water without sacrificing performance & design
BY ED DEL GRANDE
their trucks with high-efficiency plumbing products. Advising your customers on how they can save water in their homes without sacrificing performance and design when replacing outdated fixtures and faucets could help differentiate your business among the competitors. With water and sewer rates rising, and the threat of water shortages in many areas of the country, plumbing contractors can no longer ignore the importance of weaving water-saving ideas into bath and kitchen projects. One key factor in accomplishing
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this is to raise the importance of water conservation with customers right from the very beginning. And that is not to suggest that contractors need to supply lists of tips and factoids such as, “cutting a minute off normal showering time” or “turn the water off when brushing your teeth.” While these are all worthy solid water-conserving tips, they require homeowners to alter their lifestyles to actually save water. To ensure that a new home or a bathroom/kitchen remodel will be as water efficient as possible, high-efficiency plumbing products (toilets, showerheads, faucets) should be specified. In the not-so-distant past, it could
be a tough sell for plumbing contractors to consider or persuade their customers to include water- saving plumbing products into the plans. Options in both designs and shapes were fairly limited and reliable performance was often in question, and way too often, callbacks were the norm. This is probably the overriding reason why water conservation had taken a back seat for many years in the plumbing industry. High efficiency or water-conserving
plumbing products have really come a long way since the early 1990s when their reputations really took a hit. But today, plumbing contractors can convince with confidence and suggest many new styles, colors and price ranges. Better yet, there is now a credible “third-party” resource when seeking top performance in high efficiency plumbing products — that being the 5-year old WaterSense label from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This product label, similar to Energy Star for indicating energy efficiency, helps individuals identify
here is no time like “now” for plumbing contractors to outfit their showrooms and stock
plumbing products that meet EPA criteria for water efficiency and reliable performance. And, in most cases installing these high efficiency products is the same as standard models. With all this in mind, there are four
basic high efficiency plumbing product categories to discuss with your customers. The end goal is to always include water-saving fixtures, faucets and showerheads into bathroom and/or kitchen projects, while still delivering a quality experience for the customer — reliable performance, great design and water savings. 1. Replace older 3.5 gallon-per-
flush or higher toilets with new HETs (High Efficiency Toilets). HETs flush with only 1.28 gallons of water per
In the not-so-distant past, it could be a tough sell for
plumbing contractors to consider or persuade their
customers to include water-saving plumbing products into the plans.
flush or less — a 20 percent savings over standard 1.6-gallon models. Major brand name toilets will offer affordable models and various flushing systems. HET flushing systems can include pressurized air, electricity, dual flush, and “tower flush” gravity systems. HETs can reduce toilet water consumption by as much as 30 percent when replacing 3.5-gpf toilets. Here again, individuals are not limited in toilet options. Today’s HETs are available in both 1- or 2-piece models, and in a variety of shapes, designs and colors to match any bathroom décor. 2. Use water-conserving
“performance” showerheads. Standard showerheads feature a water flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm). Performance showerheads use 1.75 gpm for a 30 percent savings on shower water, and they’re designed to provide a strong, enjoyable showering experience. Many models feature multi-spray options, bold finishes and contemporary to traditional designs.
3. Install faucets with “low-flow”
pressure-compensated aerators. When it comes to making a “big” impact on water savings for “little” cost, nothing surpasses a high- performance faucet aerator. Standard faucets feature a water flow rate of 2.2 gpm. That flow can be reduced by 30 percent with a simple 1.5 gpm pressure compensated aerator. Most faucets today can be purchased with a low-flow aerator already installed. And, because the aerator is a small universally applied component, faucet options are not restricted. Pluming contractors can offer their clients several faucet configurations — single hole, centerset, widespread, deck- mount or wall-mount — traditional and contemporary designs, in brushed or polished finishes, and touchless models too. 4. On the commercial front, high
“efficiency — high performance” plumbing products are also available. New flush valve and bowl technology can deliver commercial flushing power while using only 1.28 gallons per flush. Touchless faucets continue to be an efficient choice, and with new “Hybrid” battery technology available for selected models, the factory-installed battery will be guaranteed for 30 years. Finally, 1.0-pint flush urinals are becoming a popular water-savings option, when waterless urinals may not meet or qualify for the job specifications. The bottom line regarding
bathroom, kitchen or commercial projects with water conservation being one of the end goals is to change out older pre-1990 plumbing products with quality high-efficiency products. By following these three steps involving toilets, showerheads and faucets, the average family of four could save up to 39,000 gallons of water per year. That’s enough water saved annually to fill a swimming pool and then some, not to mention the savings on water bills which will ultimately make homeowners happy. To learn more about high-efficiency
residential plumbing products, visit
www.epa.gov/watersense. l
Ed Del Grande is a
Master Plumber, LEED Green Associate, Kohler Co. Spokesperson.
phc october 2011
www.phcnews.com
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