- Bathroom
- FloWise Dual-Flush Reduces Water Usage by up to 30-Percent
- Replace Older Toilets With New Water-Saving, High-Efficiency Models
- Rapsel Pluviae Designer Shower Head and Curtain
- Garden, Yard and Leisure
- Backyard Barbecues with a New Twist
- Vermont Castings Signature Series Grills
- Handsfree Mowing from Friendly Robotics
- Green Products and Services
- FloWise Dual-Flush Reduces Water Usage by up to 30-Percent
- Replace Older Toilets With New Water-Saving, High-Efficiency Models
- Sun Surfs Introduces the Solar Energy Balcony Water Heater
Replace Older Toilets With New Water-Saving, High-Efficiency Models
10/01/2008
Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath design and technology, urges homeowners to take action now and cross off “update the bathroom” from their to-do lists. As water shortages continue to surface across the nation, smarter choices about replacing bathroom fixtures and faucets will make a significant impact on water demand, and there is no better place to start with than the toilet.
Citing a 2005 study by D&R International, roughly half of all the residential toilets in the United States continue to flush with 3.5 gallons of water or more. That statistic is alarming and equates to a significantly high amount of wasted water, because new high efficiency toilets can flush with less than half that amount – 1.28 gallons or even less – without sacrificing performance. And the toilet comprises nearly 25 percent of water usage inside the home, far and away the most of any appliance or plumbing fixture.
“Kohler understands that using water more wisely is imperative to sustainability, and choosing a water-saving toilet can have a huge impact on water use,” said Rob Zimmerman, senior staff engineer for water conservation initiatives at Kohler Co. “Homeowners want energy-efficient appliances to save money around the home, and they shouldn’t overlook plumbing products. By replacing toilets with newer models that flush much less water, but still perform to expectations, an average family can save a lot of water. And, we know that performance cannot be understated. What good is a water-saving toilet if you have to flush twice?”
How much water can be saved?
If every household in the United States that has an old 3.5 gpf toilet were to replace it with a 1.6 gpf or less model, the United States could save more than 1 billion gallons of water each day. That’s a lot of water, considering the average shower uses a mere 20 gallons. A family of four would save thousands of gallons of water each year by replacing one old toilet with a 1.6 gpf or less model.
It was January 1, 1994 when the Environmental Policy Act took effect, lowering the national standard from 3.5 gpf to 1.6 gpf for all residential toilets sold in the United States. Since then, Kohler Co. has been at the vanguard of high-efficiency toilets and flushing technology, having developed several toilets that surpass the federal mandate by flushing with a mere 1.28 gpf, and even 1.0 gpf.
“The price to purchase high-efficient toilets has decreased substantially, making them easily attainable for those who are serious about removing their older 3.5 gpf models,” added Zimmerman. “Water-efficient toilets are affordable, feature a better design and look, and are engineered to perform better than their older counterparts.”
Moreover, some municipalities and water utilities offer local rebate programs, which help offset the cost of purchasing a high-efficiency toilet. In some cases, the toilet purchase is minimal or at no cost to the homeowner. People should check their local utility to determine if there is a rebate available, added Zimmerman.
More than just offering products, Kohler is actively involved and supports programs like WaterSenseSM, and other organizations that promote and educate homeowners about water efficiency. WaterSense, the EPA’s voluntary public-private partnership program, seeks to protect the future of the nation’s water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs and practices. Plumbing fixtures and faucets that qualify for the WaterSense label assures consumers of actual water savings and strict performance standards.
Powered by eDirectory™