Wall Hung Toilet
The Toto Aquia wall-hung toilet saves both space and water. The dual-flushing system optimizes water usage by offering a choice between .9 gpf for liquids and 1.6 gpf when a stronger flush is needed. Besides being environmentally friendly, the compact 9-inch unit also makes cleaning easier, since the tank is behind the wall and the toilet is mounted off the floor. In addition to this great toilet, the Aquia line also includes sink faucets that incorporate a new high-power aerator that ensures 1.5 gpm still feels like 2.2 gpm.
Approximate cost: Aquia in-wall dual flush wall-hung toilet: $350
For more info: www.totousa.com.
Water-wise Tip: Consider dual-flush toilets. Users can conserve water by choosing to flush liquid waste with less water.
Photo courtesy of TOTO USA
Eco-Friendly Toilet-Sink Combo
Caroma’s dual flush Profile Smart high efficiency toilet (HET) features a sink and toilet stylishly merged into one unit. Here’s how it works: after the toilet is flushed, fresh cold water is directed through the faucet for hand washing, then drains into the tank to be used for the next flush. The unit boasts an industry leading 1.28/0.8 gallons-per-flush (full flush/half flush), and SmartFlush water-saving technology. Not only is this unit ecologically sound, but it’s also compact.
Approximate cost: $802.00
For more info: www.caroma.com.
Water-wise Tip: The EPA estimates that a family of four that replaces its home’s older toilets with WaterSense-approved models will, on average, save more than $90 per year in reduced water utility bills, and $2,000 over the lifetime of the toilets. Additionally, in many areas, utilities offer rebates and vouchers that can lower the price of a n eco-friendly toilet.
Photo courtesy of Caroma
Versatile Water-Saving Kitchen Faucet
Delta’s Addison kitchen faucet offers two technologies that help save water. MultiFlow technology enables a water-saving flow of 1.5 gpm, which is more than adequate for most kitchen tasks. However, for tasks that require a higher flow, such as filling a big pot or cleaning a tough pan, simply press a button on the wand, and the flow increases to around 2.2 gpm. When you turn off the faucet, it defaults back to 1.5. The second water-saving technology, Touch2o, allows you to turn the faucet on and off between tasks with a simple tap or touch on the spout or handle. When you turn the water back on, the temperature automatically adjusts to what it was when you turned it off.
Approximate cost: Addison kitchen faucet (chrome finish) with Touch 2o technology: $400 – $500; without Touch 2o technology: $250 – $300. Extra charge for stainless steel or bronze finish.
For more info: www.deltafaucet.com.
Water-wise Tip: Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at a rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year.
Photo courtesy of Delta Faucets
Eco-friendly Washer
The GE Profile Harmony washer and dryer is a “smart” laundry system that saves water, energy, and your time. Not only does this washer use as little as 17 gallons of water, but it actually senses how much water is needed for the load. Touch-screen options include a quick recall of settings from the previous load, as well as a stain-removal option. But what makes this system truly smart is that the washer communicates electronically with the dryer, which then presets dry cycles for better clothes care, time savings and greater convenience as well as energy savings.
Approximate cost: GE Profile Harmony laundry pair (washer model WPGT9360E and dryer model DPGT750EC or DPGT750GC): $1948-$2098.
For more info: www.GE.com.
Water-wise Tip: When aerators–the nozzles in the back of the washing machine that deliver water–wear out, they have a tendency to deliver too much water to the machine. Luckily, new aerators are fairly simple to install by following the package directions. Look for new models that are rated at 2.0 gallons per minute or less.
Photo courtesy of General Electric
Water-Wise Shower
JACLO shower heads and hand showers feature an innovative low-flow regulator that has been engineered to operate effectively with less water consumption, while keeping the pressure and flow of the water feeling strong. This is as opposed to a restrictor, which significantly limits water flow and delivers an unsatisfying shower experience.
Approximate cost: Cylindrico 5 Showerhead starts at $98; Cylindrica 5 Hand shower starts at $115.
For more info: www.jaclo.com.
Water-wise Tip: A full bath tub requires about 70 gallons of water, while taking a five-minute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons.
Photo courtesy of JACLO
Save Water with this Versatile Faucet
The JACLO Steam Valve Original Collection is both stylish and versatile. You can customize your kitchen by mix-and-matching from the collection’s line of faucets, spouts, and pot fillers, including JACLO’s patented pull-off spray that unwinds from the bridge mixer for close range cleaning. The pull-off spray lever can be installed for left or right-handed users, and there are six different handle options. Faucets can be equipped with aerators that exceed the WaterSense requirement of 2.2 gpm.
Approximate cost: JACLO Steam Valve pull-off spray (10″ or 8″): brushed stainless, $1,675; polished stainless, $1,840.
For more info: www.jaclo.com.
Water-wise Tip: Leaky faucets that drip once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year. Test for sneaky leaks by reading your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.
Photo courtesy of JACLO
Hands-free Faucet
The new Kohler Karbon lavatory faucet collection meets WaterSense requirements and adds another water-saving feature: a flexible spout you can position right where you need water most, instead of having to direct the water with your hands. There’s also a multi-functional water-flow head with a standard stream for grooming and a more powerful spray option that’s ideal for rinsing and cleaning the sink. The faucet is constructed of a combination of traditional brass and innovative carbon fiber composite tubing for both superior strength and light weight.
Approximate cost: $1,014.
For more info: www.kohler.com.
Water-wise Tip: The average bathroom faucet flows at a rate of two gallons per minute. Solution: Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth in the morning and at bedtime can save up to 8 gallons of water per day, which equals 240 gallons a month!
Photo courtesy of Kohler
Water-Efficient Toilets
Water-wise toilets can be pricey. But thankfully, Kohler has converted two of its popular budget models Devonshire and Wellworth to meet EPA WaterSense requirements. Both of these models have been upgraded from 1.6 gallons-per-flush to just 1.28 gpf. These toilets use “gravity technology” engineering in the tank, bowl and trapway to create a strong siphon during the flush, ensuring consistent performance.
Approximate cost: Devonshire toilet: $372; Wellworth toilet: $261.
For more info: www.kohler.com.
Water-wise Tip: A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily. Test your toilet tank for leaks by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If there’s a silent leak, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
Photo courtesy of Kohler
Water-Saving Front-load Steam Washer
The LG front-load steam washer is both water and energy efficient, boosting your potential annual savings (water and energy) to over $100 more than a standard washer. Over the life of the unit, estimated at 11 years, that adds up to more than $1,000. The LG washer (model #WM3875HVCA) uses just 13.5 gallons of water per cycle, which is even less than the EPA WaterSense high-efficiency recommendations of less than 28 gallons. Besides being environmentally friendly, this model is also gentle on your clothes. While most washers have only one “tumble” motion, this washer’s drum can roll, step, swing, scrub, filtrate and tumble, depending on the chosen cycle.
Approximate cost: $1,569
For more info: www.lg.com.
Water-wise Tip: The EPA reports that the average washing machine uses about 41 gallons of water per load, while high-efficiency washing machines use less than 28 gallons of water per load. To achieve even greater savings, wash only full loads of laundry.
Photo courtesy of LG Electronics
Eco-friendly, Low-cost Faucets
Save water and money with Moen’s four new budget-conscious Eco-Performance kitchen faucets. Pictured here is the Lancaster model, available exclusively at Menards stores. The other models are the Anabelle and the Dorsey, available exclusively at Lowe’s, and the Lindley, available exclusively at The Home Depot. All three models have the convenient and water-efficient feature of enabling users to easily switch between three water-flow settings. For everyday tasks that require a constant, yet low-water flow, such as washing dishes or preparing foods, choose 1.75 gpm, which translates to a 32 percent water savings over the standard kitchen faucet. However, for tasks that require a set amount of water, such as filling a pot or pitcher, press a button to raise the flow temporarily to 2.2 gpm .
Approximate cost: Lancaster faucet: stainless steel, $239.00, Bronze, $259.99.
For more info: www.moen.com.
Water-wise Tip: According to the EPA, an average four-person household can save about 900 gallons of water per year using WaterSense faucets in the bath and kitchen. That’s roughly equivalent to 20 loads of laundry.
Photo courtesy of Moen
Recycle Rainwater
An easy way to save water outdoors is the Nino rain barrel, which holds 55 gallons. This squat and stable collection barrel is an attractive landscape feature as well as a great way to collect water you can use to keep your lawn green and garden colorful. The top has a screen for water input on one side, and the other side can be used as a planter. It’s available in ten colors, including blue, green, red, yellow, adobe, and black.
Approximate cost: $199.99
For more info: www.aquabarrel.com.
Water-wise Tip: Some experts estimate that more than 50 percent of water used on the landscape goes to waste due to evaporation or runoff caused by overwatering. To combat this waste, invest in a drip irrigation system, which uses between 20 and 50 percent less water than conventional in-ground sprinkler systems. Drip irritation systems are also much more efficient than in-ground sprinklers because no water is lost to wind, runoff, and evaporation.
Photo courtesy of Aquabarrel
Eco-Friendly Showerhead
Oxygenics has come up with a brilliant way to increase the water velocity in its showerheads while actually using 20% – 70% less water than a standard showerhead. The head works with lower water pressure because of a patented “air induction” design that injects air into the water flow, which increases the pressure without using more water. The Evolution series (pictured here) features four pressurized spray options coupled with a push-button spray selection system and a 360-degree rotating oval head design.
Approximate cost: Evolution shower series: $64.95.
For more info: www.oxygenics.com.
Water-wise Tip: Little changes in habits add up! For example, letting the water run while shaving wastes up to 7 gallons of water and enough energy to run a 100 watt light bulb all day.
Photo courtesy of Oxygenics
Save Water in the Shower
Cutting back on your time in the shower doesn’t necessarily save water, as the flow rates of shower heads can vary greatly. Luckily, there’s an easy way to monitor and cut down on your water usage in the shower. The Eco Showerdrop bills itself as the world’s first low-cost, universal shower meter. The Showerdrop’s numerical display lets you know exactly how much water you’re using, and a graphical display and audible alert tell you when the recommended level has been reached. This wall-hung monitor is easy to install and operate. Just press the big droplet button when you get into the shower to start and then press it again when you turn off the water. It resets itself automatically if the shower is off for 5 seconds.
Approximate cost: $19.50
For more info: www.ecokettle.com.
Water-wise Tip: Recycle your water. A gray water converter saves shower and bath water to a collection container that can be used to water your lawn and garden.
Photo courtesy of Eco Showerdrop