Posts Tagged ‘WaterSense’

Posted: 08.02.2010

A Pull-Out Bathroom Faucet for a ‘New Age Mama’

One thing that the Professor loves to see in a product, whether it’s a toilet or a faucet or a computer, is a convenient, multi-purpose feature that makes life easier for a wide variety of people in a wide variety of ways. And if that product also helps to protect the environment in some way, all the better.

Recently the Professor found a kindred spirit in Laura DeLuca, the writer behind the blog New Age Mama. Laura reviewed the WaterSense-certified OutReach bathroom faucet for her blog and clearly shares the Professor’s appreciation for the faucet’s innovative design. She was also kind enough to take a moment to answer a few questions about her blog and how the OutReach fits into her life as a ‘new age mama.’

1. Why did you start your blog, and what is your favorite thing about blogging?

I started my blog while I was on bed rest during my last pregnancy and needed something to do. I love all the interesting people I’ve met and all the amazing products that I’ve been one of the first to try out.

2. How do you decide what to write about on your site?

I only review products that I know my family will actually be able to use on a regular basis so that I can give it a fair and honest review.

3. Did anything surprise you about the OutReach faucet?

I was surprised at how quickly my husband was able to install it.

4. How does the OutReach faucet help make your life as a mother easier?

I can now give my baby a bath in the bathroom sink and rinse her off with no problems. It’s much easier than having to bend down in the bathtub or having to carry all the bath stuff down to the kitchen.

5. Anything else you’d like to share?

Working with American Standard was a pleasure. Everyone was very kind and courteous and stayed on top of things.

This post is the second in a series of the Professor’s interviews with bloggers who have reviewed the OutReach bathroom faucet. The Professor previously interviewed Deborah Sloan of Baba’s Farm Life.

Posted: 06.18.2010

On Saving (Seltzer) Water at the Brooklyn Farmacy

Like most people, the Professor enjoys a treat now and again, and nothing hits the spot like an old-fashioned chocolate egg cream. And in Brooklyn, New York, there is now a great new place to have one, thanks in part to the assistance of the TV show Construction Intervention. The shop is called the Brooklyn Farmacy, and proprietor Peter Freeman was about to give up on his dream of opening a neighborhood ice cream shop in a beautiful 100 year-old pharmacy because of the daunting amount of renovations the building required.

A chance encounter with the casting director of the television show saved the day, and Peter agreed to let the crew of Construction Intervention renovate the shop for an episode of the show. The Farmacy’s electrical wiring was re-done, structural problems with the building were fixed, a long soda counter was installed, and two new bathrooms that now feature WaterSense-certified toilets and faucets from American Standard were built.

Having comfortable and inviting bathrooms was important to Peter, who wanted a safe, clean environment for neighborhood kids to wash their hands before digging into a slice of his strawberry-rhubarb pie. The Professor also notes that the new water-saving fixtures also compliment his eco-friendly philosophy of buying locally and sustainably made products.

Congratulations, Peter! The Professor tips his hat to you.

Posted: 06.08.2010

Shower Systems, Water Conservation and the DOE

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing a new interpretation of the term “showerhead” in the DOE’s regulations related to the energy conservation program for consumer products.

The proposal will re-define showerheads as shower valves, allowing only a single showerhead using no more than 2.5 gallons per minute of water per showering compartment. Unless challenged, the new definition would take place by June 18.  (Source: Supply House Times).

American Standard is all for water conservation and we back many federal, state and local government initiatives, such as the EPA WaterSense program.

This action, however, is a significant step backwards from everything we now know about safe bathing for people of all ages, heights and abilities. Smart shower systems designed by experienced professionals have controls for different showerheads in the same shower enclosure, set at different heights for children, aging-in-place and universal accessibility.

The new definition also threatens to increase costs to build schools and other institutions that require multiple showering areas, since separate shower valves will be required for every showerhead.

Professor Toilet urges everyone to contact the DOE re: Docket No. EERE-2010-BT-NOA-0016

1.  Leave comments for the DOE.

2. Send an email.

3. Write to: Docket No. EERE-2010-BT-NOA-0016, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20585

PS:  Professor Toilet would prefer to see government action along the lines of   “cash for flushers.” (Of course, the Professor brings it back to toilets.)   Water conservation rebates implemented in many cities and counties around the nation have encouraged many homeowners to replace old water wasters with toilets that perform better on less water.

Posted: 05.24.2010

Dual Flush Retrofit Kits for Dual Flush Toilets – Do They Work?

Sadly, no.  This is one to file under, “Too Good to Be True.”

There are several aftermarket retrofit kits available today that promise to transform a standard toilet into a dual flush model that can “save more water than a high priced high-efficiency toilet.”

Unfortunately, these gadgets simply regulate the amount of water entering the bowl and do nothing to alter the water flow in or out of the bowl.  Since bowl design is the most important factor in a toilet’s performance – and even more critical in low-flow toilets – these kits promise far more than they deliver.

As the Professor has previously explained, standard and dual flush toilets have different flushing mechanics.  While standard toilets depend on siphonic action to “pull” waste out of the bowl, dual flush toilets rely on the “push” of water to clear the bowl.  More advanced technology, such as the WaterSense-certified H2Option Dual Flush Toilet, combines the traditional siphonic “pull” force with the newer “push” action associated with the washdown flush.

Because standard toilet bowls are not specifically engineered for less water, homeowners will have as much luck using these retrofit kits as they would adding a brick to the toilet tank.  Both strategies try to “trick” toilet science and will likely result in incomplete flushes.  Worse, users will likely overcome this problem by – you guessed it – flushing again.  Multiple flushes eliminate any possible water savings.

In addition to voiding the American Standard warranty on toilets, installing these types of gadgets will frustrate homeowners and discourage any future use of proven water saving technologies such as HETs and dual flush toilets.

Physics, as it turns out, is it right up there with “can’t fool Mother Nature.”

Posted: 05.20.2010

A Sustainable New Habitat

The Professor would like to congratulate The Home Depot Foundation and the great team of American Standard Brands employees for all the great work they did at the 2010 Community Building Invitational, held yesterday in San Antonio, TX.

Fifteen of these new homes, which are being built for Habitat For Humanity, will also feature sustainable bathrooms that include WaterSense-certified faucets, toilets, and showerheads donated by American Standard Brands. A job well done all around.

Posted: 05.04.2010

WaterSense Products a Key Element in Green Rebuilding Efforts

On May 4, 2007, the town of Greensburg, Kansas was destroyed by an EF5 tornado. Ninety-five percent of the town was leveled by the storm and 11 people lost their lives. In the wake of this tragedy the residents of Greensburg chose to take advantage of what they realized was an historic opportunity and began to rebuild their home into the first LEED Platinum town in the country.

Today, on the 3rd anniversary of the Greensburg tornado, the Professor gives a tip of the hat to the resilient residents of Greensburg for their amazing accomplishments.

Most of the news coverage has focused on Greensburg’s wind farm, rainwater harvesting efforts, recycled building materials, and LED-powered streetlights. However, one other important feature in the town’s new, environmentally-friendly plan includes the installation of WaterSense-certified plumbing products in the reconstructed homes.

To help residents conserve water, American Standard Brands donated a number of products, including several low-flow Cadet 3 and FloWise toilets, both of which use 20% less water per flush than standard toilets. Several Greensburg homes also received water-saving Reliant 3 faucets and FloWise bath and shower kits.

Making use of clean energy technologies and reclaimed building materials are truly laudable actions, but as always, the Professor is especially pleased to see that water conservation is a key aspect of Greensburg’s low-impact lifestyle.

Posted: 02.15.2010

Water Conservation Put to the Test in Metro Atlanta

No one loves tests as much as professors. And no one loves a test of toilets more than Professor Toilet.

Especially when test results reveal a high grade of satisfaction when it comes to toilets, faucets and showerheads that save water.

American Standard identified 21 homeowners in two suburban Atlanta communities who volunteered to replace their existing toilets and bathroom sink faucets last fall with high-efficiency WaterSense®-certified models, and to replace their showerheads with the highly-rated FloWise showerhead that delivers an invigorating, satisfying soak while reducing water usage up to 40 percent.

After two months of measurement, green building consultant Tommy Linstoth, LEED-AP found an overall household savings of at least 25 percent.  The level of satisfaction has been higher than expected. American Standard has not received a single request to return to the higher-consumption products and several volunteers reported that the products exceeded their expectations, as well as the performance of their previous higher-consumption products. Learn more at Tommy’s RehydrateUS.org blog.

Below, Tommy explains the purpose of the test:

Posted: 06.25.2009

Stimulus At a Glance – Remodeling Magazine

A question.  Upon reviewing Remodeling Magazine’s comprehensive report of remodeling-related stimulus payouts and tax credits for energy-related improvements, Professor Toilet can’t help but notice that water efficiency efforts do not qualify (but biomass stoves do?!).

True, your water costs don’t seem as high as your energy costs.    According to American Standard’s Water Saving Calculator, the average home would save about $400 a year replacing toilets and faucets with WaterSense-labeled versions, and replacing showerheads with 1.5 gallon-per-minute models such as FloWise.

But water costs also impact communities–through taxes needed to build and maintain treatment facilities.  Not to mention the real possibility of running out of water (see Orme, TN, fall 2007).

While the federal government might not yet have religion on water savings, many local municipalities offer generous rebates for upgrading to water efficient fixtures.   Professor Toilet will wait patiently–maybe–for the Feds to catch up.

Posted: 06.13.2009

14th Edition Maximum Performance (MaP) Test Report Available

Maximum Performance Testing (MaP) is an independent report of toilet flushing performance developed by John Koehler and Veritec Consulting.

Scores are a general barometer of a toilet’s ability to remove bulk media.  You can figure out what “bulk media” means.  The MaP test protocol was designed to closely replicate “real world demand,”  incorporating soybean paste as a test media and measuring how many grams can be flushed up to 1,000 grams or 2.2 pounds.

If you think that’s a tasteless mental image, you are correct.  It’s supposed to be.   With apologies to the geniuses in marketing, we haven’t seen one real world case of anyone passing golf balls.

The EPA requires that WaterSense labeled toilets be able to flush a minimum of 350 grams in the MaP test.  The top-rated toilets  can flush at least 1,000 grams at one time (a real world test you really don’t want–that’s more than two pounds.   At present, MaP test is the main, if not only, independently recognized test designed to gauge this rather important parameter.

First published in 2003, the 14th edition is available free-of charge on the websites of the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA), the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC), and Veritec Consulting Inc.