Designers Go Green
Design tip from Jennifer Anissi, design assistant
A Touch of Tradition
7313 Carroll Road, Suite D
Sorrento Mesa
760-633-4474 x 1
Jennifer Anissi is a design assistant for A Touch of Tradition Home & Garden Shop, a full-service design studio, and furnishings, lighting and accessory shop. From exclusive fabrics and window coverings to ready-made and custom furnishings, lighting and accessories, TOT-HOME offers stylish interiors with enduring appeal for every style of decor.
We all know the global benefits of conserving energy and water — including saving money on utility and water bills. But maybe you’re not sure where to start. Here are a few ways to help you embrace earth-friendly practices in your own home and routine. Even the smallest steps will make a difference.
Upgrade to green — EPA water-use standards have forced manufacturers to come up with better products. Modern faucets and showerheads are more efficient than ever. Since they can save up to 32-percent on your water usage, look for the words WaterSense when you’re ready to install new faucets. You’ll get a sleek new look and save money long-term.
Look Ma, no hands — We inadvertently waste gallons of water every day by leaving sink faucets running, but hands-free electronic faucets ensure water is used only when needed. There are all price points for these fixtures, so shop around. If a new faucet isn’t in the budget, try turning off the water while loading the dishwasher, brushing your teeth and shaving.
Get demanding — On-demand or tank-less water heaters offer a great way to cut home energy costs without impacting performance. They flash-heat the water when you need it and eliminate the heating cycles need to keep standard heaters hot. As a result, you can cut your energy use by 20 percent. Can’t make the change now? Add a thermal blanket to cover that water heater; it might save as much as 5 percent on heating bills.
Optimal clean — A good wake-up shower is key for most people. Worries about water-saving fixtures removing the joy of that shower are gone. Flow-optimized showerheads not only reduce water but the higher air content actually helps you rinse soap off more easily. With 1.75 gallon-per-minute heads, versus the old standard of 2.5, you can reduce your water consumption by up to 30 percent and still have an invigorating experience.
Cost-effective green — A quick, first step toward going green is to add flow-optimized aerators to older faucets. This adds a bit of pressure while reducing the flow and can cost less than $3.
Ditch the bottle — Avoid the need for plastic bottles with water-filtering faucets. You will save your wallet from the cost of purchasing bottled water and help unclog waste disposal sites of these increasingly hazardous items. Many pitcher-type water filters are available as well, and you can refill a recyclable stainless bottle to keep your daily water fresh and cool.
Keep water in check — It’s important to check all of your water-using products regularly. Did you know that the bathroom accounts for roughly 60 percent of a home’s water usage? A leaky toilet or faucet can waste thousands of gallons a year without you knowing it.
