Tip of the Month - May 2015

TOILETS: Toilets are a source of frequent repairs and energy inefficiency. Toilets should be replaced and serviced not only due to age or disrepair but as a water-saving and cost saving measure. Traditional toilets consume five to seven gallons of water per flush,representing nearly 28 percent of a building’s total water consumption. An environmentally sound alternative is the ultra-low flush toilet, a reduced consumption appliance that uses only 1.6 gallons per flush while there are concerns that these low consumption toilets cause increased clogging problems, studies show that stoppages are not increased, but sometimes require double flushes. Look for pressure-assisted systems to resolve these problems.

SHOWER HEADS & FAUCETS: Landlords can perform many adjustments to shower heads and faucets to reduce water waste and lower costs. Conventional shower heads use approximately 4.5 gallons per minute (GPM). NOTE: all shower heads and faucets manufactured after 1/1/94 will have a maximum flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute.

WATER HEATERS: Good water heater maintenance increases the heater tank, life, stops noise and odor problems and reduces fuel consumption. Areas requiring particular attention include: Corrosion: All water heaters contain an anode rod (usually made of magnesium), which gradually corrodes to prevent rusting. For maximum efficiency, the rod should be replaced every 5-6 years. Sediment removal: Heavy mineral deposits in water heaters can cause over-heating, noises, and bacterial. Adequate removal of sediment addresses these problems.