<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" If you&amp;#039;re remodeling an older bathroom, chances are you&amp;#039;ll be upgrading to low-flow fixtures. But what does that mean? &amp;quot;In the interest of conservation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set a standard for water use. Over the last 20 years, manufacturers have had to come up with low-flow products that meet or exceed those standards,&amp;quot; says Susanne Van Selow, a certified green professional contractor who is a president of the Tampa Bay chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Passed in 1992 with the National Energy Policy Act, these standards determine water usage limits for all toilets, showers and faucets sold in the United States. Here&amp;#039;s what low-flow will do for you:   More Efficient Flushing New toilets should use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush (compared to the older standard of 3.5 gallons). To get a faster flow rate, these models have larger drain passages and redesigned bowls or tanks for easier wash-down. Others supplement gravity with compressed air or a vacuum pump. Some have one mechanism for flushing liquids and another for flushing solids. Dual-flush toilets (which use different amounts of water for liquid and solid waste) can further cut down water use, but may cost slightly more.   Less Water, Same Pressure Bathroom faucets should use no more than 2.2 gallons per minute, or gpm (down from the old average of 4\u20137 gpm) and showerheads no more than 2.5 gpm (down from 5\u20138 gpm) at 80 pounds of pressure per square inch. Most models restrict the flow of the water through aeration, which mixes air with the water so that a constant pressure is maintained\u2014it still feels like the same pressure as your old showerhead, but it uses less water.   Water and Energy Savings  The EPA estimates that if older existing toilets were replaced with low-flow choices, the typical household would save 10.5 gallons per person daily. Low-flow faucets save more than 500 gallons per year per household, showerheads more than 2,300 gallons. &amp;quot;By installing low-flow water fixtures, you&amp;#039;ll easily slash your water use as well as your energy bills,&amp;quot; says Rosamaria Caballero, founder of Green Irene, a green home-consulting firm. The cost of water varies significantly around the country, but any homeowner who pays for water can reap a savings of hundreds of dollars per year\u2014not to mention reduced energy costs for heating less water. What&amp;#039;s more, many municipalities and/or utilities offer incentives or rebates for switching to water-saving fixtures.   Going the Extra Mile The EPA has developed a program called WaterSense, similar to its more widely known Energy Star program, which identifies products that use 20 percent less water than today&amp;#039;s standard models\u2014meaning even more water and energy savings. All products bearing this label complete a third-party certification process involving testing by independent labs to make sure they meet water conservation and performance standards. The benefits: You know they&amp;#039;re more energy-efficient, and some may qualify for a tax credit or rebate after your remodel. For more information on the program and its product ratings, go to EPA.gov/WaterSense. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/home/advice/a5662/give-your-bathroom-an-eco-makeover-117618/>