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H20-Less—Easy Water Conservation With Style
Water is our most precious resource ... more precious than oil. Yet, we continue to consume more water than necessary and focus most of our attention on high gas prices and the advent of more energy-efficient cars.
Why are we talking about water now? Hasn't there been plenty of rain these last few weeks to supply us for the year? The answer is no. After years of not achieving the needed annual rain and snow fall, California's reservoirs are frighteningly low. Plus, our water use exceeds current and projected supply.
In the 1970s, Americans took big steps toward improving our wasteful habits. Water-efficient products via low-flow technology arrived on the market. Unfortunately, poor performance turned "low-flow" into a four-letter word. Today, low-flow faucets and toilets can save thousands of gallons of water per month.
Take the first step toward becoming a water-saving achiever by conducting a simple home evaluation. Consult with Winans, and we'll help you plan and install water-saving products that create a H2O-less system in your home.
The Garden
A gray water system is an important consideration in any remodel or renovation. An entire home can be plumbed to reuse water, saving thousands of gallons from the sewers and waste treatment plants. Gray water is previously used water from the sink or shower that is reused for flushing the toilet or watering the garden. For a bathroom remodel, a smart conservation tactic is to install a gray water tank under your sink to capture hand-washing water.
You can also install rainwater collection barrels. These devices collect water from gutter downspouts and store it for future use. Collection barrels are made from a variety of materials, from oak to plastic. When properly incorporated into your landscaping plan, these cisterns are attractive additions and will enhance your overall garden design aesthetic.
Further, gray water and rainwater can be connected to a drip irrigation system, which eliminates watering with a hose - a very wasteful practice. A drip irrigation system allows you to regulate flow to individual plants based on specific water needs. What could be better than having lush plant life and the free water to maintain it? Call Winans for a consultation.
Water-Saving Bathrooms
The bathroom is the primary water-use center. When first released to consumers, low-flow bathroom technologies became synonymous with poor performance and ugly design. Today, manufacturers offer inspiring style and optimal function.
Older toilets waste between three to five gallons per flush (GPF). The latest green toilets use only 1.28 GPF. Homeowners can use as little as 0.9 GPF with a dual-flush toilet, surpassing code regulations. Manufacturers have invested time and money in designing toilets that function exceptionally well and also look good. If you want to restore your bathroom to its original design, consider Toto's Eco Clayton or Eco Promenade lines. They are stylish and comfortable without sacrificing performance.
Let's look now at the water-efficient options in modern bathing. Until recently, low-flow shower heads caused discomfort and frustration because of intensely focused pressure or the near "no-flow" effect. Have you ever been stranded with a head full of shampoo despite a righteous rinse? Not anymore. Delta has created a low-flow shower head that uses only 1.7 gallons per minute and has a superior water delivery method. Larger water drops are combined with a dense spray pattern to create a warmer, more consistent shower.
Like toilets and shower heads, water-saving lavatory faucets also now come in stylish choices. They range from high modern, cylindrical stainless with a single control to a classic low-profile faucet with two cross handles marked in calligraphy on the porcelain dot as "hot" and "cold."
You should also know about WaterSense, a program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency. The WaterSense label marks a water-efficient product.
WaterSense product reviews are a great place to start when planning a bathroom upgrade with your interior designer. Learn more here.
Review the WaterSense-certified Delta products here.
Explore Grohe's Geneva line and their exquisite Seabury designs here.
Water-Saving Kitchens
There are many ways to save water in the kitchen. The 21st century dishwasher uses less water and hotter water, achieving more savings and sanitation than washing by hand. The garbage disposer is an integral part of any modern kitchen, but you actually save more water by composting food scraps.
You should replace leaky faucets with products that have water-saving aerators and sprayers. Some new features in kitchen faucets include foot pedals and touch technology. Foot pedals at the sink allow you to turn the water on and off and adjust the temperature without touching the faucet. There are two advantages: saving the precious stuff and containing the germs.
If this seems too complicated, Delta has come out with its own Touch Technology. You preset the temperature and flow control lever, then gently touch the metal of the faucet with any part of your hand to turn it on and off. By using these products and making simple lifestyle changes, you will make a big difference as a homeowner and environmental steward.
Winans Water Saving Tips
- Compost instead of using the food disposer.
- Catch the cold water for plants while waiting for the shower water to heat.
- Make sure the dishwasher is fully loaded to maximize the dishes cleaned per cycle.
- Broom sweep rather than hose clean your sidewalks and driveway.
- Avoid pre-rinsing dishes. If you must, rinse in a contained bucket or use the spray device.
- Keep showers under ten minutes.
- Use automated car washes or limit car washing to one bucket and one rinse.
- Water your garden during the coolest part of the day.
- Do not water plants and gardens with a hose. Install a drip system.
- Use the appropriate water level and load size on the washing machine.
- Consider a front-loading washing machine.
- Limit detergent use to reduce the amount of water needed for rinsing.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Landscape with native or low-water plants to reduce water usage outside the home.
Quick Links for Further Exploration
www.deltafaucet.com
www.grohe.com
www.totousa.com
www.epa.gov/watersense