Builder - February 2009 - (Page 62) PRODUCTS Less is More A new generation of faucets makes conservation painless. O n average, Americans use over 70 gallons of water a day per person, and government officials and green building advocates say this rate of water use is a cause for concern. Much of that usage stems from bathroom activities. For example, water flows from a standard showerhead at 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm), so a 10-minute shower (with the water running continuously) nets 25 gallons. Count the running water used while people are brushing their teeth or shaving and you get an idea of the magnitude of the problem. Fortunately, manufacturers are on the case, providing easy ways to save water. “As water conservation has become more of a widespread concern, an increasing number of water-efficient shower-heads have appeared on the market,” says Brian Baratka, director of product marketing for faucets at Kohler in Kohler, Wis. “Now customers using these showerheads can feel good about not only doing something to preserve our most precious resource, but also something to contribute to their overall showering experience.” Manufacturers who are serious about conservation are participating in EPA’s voluntary WaterSense program. WaterSensecertified products must meet minimum water efficiency standards and are then given a label to make it easy for consumers to identify those products. “The goal of EPA’s WaterSense program is to help Americans save water and money by offering simple ways to reduce water use through water-efficient product choices,” says Sheila Frace, director of the EPA Office of Water’s Municipal Support division. Kohler, a leader in water conservation and the EPA’s 2008 Manufacturer Partner of the Year, offers a variety of waterconserving plumbing products in lines such as Forté and Purist; Piscataway, N.J.–based American Standard off ers bathroom lavatory faucets with a maximum flow rate of 1.5 gpm; and Olmsted, Ohio–based Moen offers showerheads that flow at 1.75 gpm. “Our new low-flow showerhead,” says Moen’s wholesale brand manager Beth Allison, “makes it possible to relax and unwind with a long, hot shower and still have peace of mind.” B LOW DOWN: The manufacturer’s new WaterCare, low-flow line includes over 60 products including showerheads and kitchen and lavatory faucets such as the Eurosmart unit shown here. Featuring ceramic disk cartridges and cast brass construction, the 1.5gpm product reduces water consumption by up to 30 percent. ▪ Grohe. 630-582-7711. www .groheamerica.com. WATER FORCE: Water-saving showerhead 6306 has a flow rate of 1.75 gallons per minute but maintains the performance of a standard unit by using an optimized spray pattern to preserve the spraying force and increase the velocity of the water. It’s available in a variety of finishes including chrome and oil-rubbed bronze. ▪ Moen. 800-465-6130. www.moen.com. GOOD SENSE: The company recently converted all of its faucets to WaterSense standards. The water-efficient units operate with 1.5 gallons per minute or less and incorporate aerators, resulting in 32 percent water savings. The Copeland lavatory faucet shown here comes in a centerset and widespread version and is available in polished chrome, satin nickel, and blackened bronze. ▪ American Standard. 800-899-2614. www.americanstandard-us.com. SAVE IT: Aimed at saving water in the bath, the maker has unveiled a new line of showerheads that uses 1.75 gallon per minute. The oversized units are designed to save water but still provide invigorating coverage. Available in Forté and Purist lines, the products include showerheads and hand showers in a variety of finishes. ▪ Kohler. 800-456-4537. www.kohler.com. FOR MORE PRODUCT INFORMATION, VISIT EBUILD, HANLEY WOOD’S INTERACTIVE PRODUCT CATALOG, AT WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM/PRODUCTS OR EBUILD.COM. 62 ■ B U I LD E R f ebrua ry 2 0 0 9 W W W.BUILDERONLINE.COM http://www.groheamerica.com http://www.groheamerica.com http://www.moen.com http://www.kohler.com http://www.americanstandard-us.com http://WW.BUILDERONLINE.COM/PRODUCTS http://www.EBUILD.COM http://WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM
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