Water-conserving Practices to Live By

Home is the place a person can always escape for rest and relaxation. But why not upgrade your home to be a place that also helps you conserve water and be a better environmental steward?

Technology has come a long way in improving performance and efficiency in household fixtures, especially when it comes to water usage. There are many ways you can update your home’s water-using fixtures — without sacrificing quality, comfort or design:

• Choose brands you trust. If you are planning to replace a number of fixtures in your home, look to a manufacturer that is committed to water conservation and innovation. For nearly 100 years, TOTO has innovated to make people’s lives better and protect the environment, as embodied in its PeoplePlanetWater philosophy. TOTO’s beautiful, innovative designs perform flawlessly while respecting the plant and honoring our water supply.

• Replace your toilet with an ultra-high-efficiency model. Older toilet models can consume up to 27 percent of a household’s daily water usage, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. When replacing a toilet, look to install products made from high-quality materials that have a low impact on the environment. TOTO’s dual flush NEOREST 550H consumes only one gallon of water for the full flush, and a modest 0.8 gallons for the light flush. In addition, the NEOREST 550H uses electrolyzed water, which has a slightly acidic pH value to kill bacteria and clean the bowl helping homeowners reduce their use of harsh cleaning products.

• Make easy enhancements. Replacing a showerhead is a relatively effortless upgrade, but can certainly help reduce the amount of water used each week in your household. Showers are traditionally the third largest water-consuming appliance in the household. Look for a replacement showerhead that boasts the WaterSense label, as these products are at least 20 percent more water-efficient. Encourage your family to shower in under 10 minutes to further reduce the amount of water you use.

• See improvements with a low flow faucet. Installing a low flow faucet into your bathroom can not only help you decrease your water usage, but also add style as well. The Wyeth Single Handle High-Efficiency Faucet is WaterSense certified and has a flow rate of a mere 1.5 gallons per minute. Just be sure to shut the water off when not in use, for example, while brushing your teeth.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.