Green Water Rules – Saving and Enjoying

Filed under Bathrooms by on July 12, 2011 at 5:32 pm {no comments}

Saving water has long been a fact of life in California, and is becoming increasingly important in other parts of the Country. In the realm of decorative plumbing, efforts to save water continue to focus on toilets, faucets and showers.

Grohe DreamSpray Shower Technology

As of January 2011 California has adopted a new Green Building Code referred to as “Calgreen”. This code is designed to conserve energy and water by making efficient building mandatory. This includes limiting the use of water in showers (max 2.0 gpm total), faucets (max 1.8 for the kitchen and 1.5 gpm for bathroom faucets) and toilets (1.28 gpm). In addition, some municipalities, like the City of Napa, are adopting even more stringent requirements for energy conservation.

There has been some concern in the decorative plumbing industry regarding Calgreen and the remodeling industry. At this time it appears that Calgreen will apply only to new construction; so you can still add a multi-outlet shower to your master bath remodel. Water usage in toilets however, will be determined by a different requirement.

Porcher LXP WaterSense Veneto Toilet

California AB 715 was signed into law in 2007 and requires all toilets installed in California to be 1.28 gallons per flush by 2014. This is accomplished by requiring manufacturers selling toilets in California to offer an increasing percentage of 1.28 gallon models. Currently 67% of all the toilets a manufacturer sells in California must be 1.28gpf (by January 2014 it will be 100%). What this has meant for our showroom is that there are now certain models of Toto and American Standard (to name the two biggest) that are no longer available for shipment to California.

Toto Drake II Dbl Cyclone 1.28gpf Toilet

Both Toto and American Standard have upgraded most of their models to 1.28 gpf although there are a few exceptions to that. I have seen some concern about the functionality of 1.28 gpf models but I do not think there is reason to worry. We have for the last two years had a Toto Drake II 1.28gpf toilet installed in one of our public restrooms and it has been trouble free and easy to maintain. Some cities in Napa, Marin, Solano and Sonoma counties have offered rebates to encourage the replacement of 3.5gpm + toilets with 1.28 GPF models (see a list here).

Resistance to the use of water saving products is understandable. Low quality devices do often offer substandard performance; but it is not true that all water saving products are a drag to use. Manufacturers like Toto, Porcher, Hansgrohe, Grohe and others have invested heavily in engineering and design to produce effective products. Hansgrohe’s various air technologies result in low water shower heads that feel like much more water than is actually being used. Toto’s new Double Cyclone flush not only flushes well but has an action that results in a clean bowl; one of the greatest challenges for a low flush toilet. Grohe has designed their signature pullout kitchen faucets to meet low water standards while providing the performance Grohe is known for.

Hansgrohe Air Technology

California has always been a leader in green building and what has started here is likely to spread across the country. Water saving is here to stay and we are fortunate to have so many ways to meet the new requirements without giving up performance.

American Standard Brands – Faucets and More

Filed under Kitchens by on December 10, 2010 at 2:51 pm {no comments}

American Standard is a major plumbing manufacturer of residential and commercial fixtures, faucets, acrylics and cast iron and a variety of other products. American Standard started in 1875 as the Standard Manufacturing Company and eventually merged with American Radiator to become American Standard (see history).  In 2008 it became American Standard Brands when American Standard Americans merged with Crane Plumbing and Eljer. Today American Standard products are sold primarily under the American Standard, Porcher or Jado name.

AMS Town Square Suite

Being a large company, American Standard makes product for the low, middle and high-end market. Porcher and Jado are the brands for the high-end fixtures and faucets while the American Standard brand covers a range of low to mid-range price point product. There is a lot to cover so for this post we will talk first about faucets.

 AMERICAN STANDARD FAUCETS

All American Standard (AMS) faucets are now Lead Free throughout the US. Recent legislation in California and Vermont requires all faucets distributed in those states to be lead free. AMS is one of the few companies which have responded to this requirement by making their entire product inventory lead free. American Standard faucets are brass rather than zinc alloy or plastic and use ceramic disc valves and PVD finishes to produce faucets that are durable and long lasting.

AMS makes both bathroom faucets and kitchen faucets as well as utility and commercial product. First let’s talk about the kitchen.

AMS Arch Pullout Kitchen Faucet

AMERICAN STANDARD KITCHEN FAUCETS

American Standard offers 9 kitchen collections – Culinaire, Pekoe, Arch, Lakeland, Connoisseur, Jasmine, Hampton, Reliant+ and Colony Soft. 

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AMS Culinaire Kitchen

Culinaire Collection has a traditional and a contemporary option. The traditional faucet is a bridge model, with or without side spray. When the side spray option is applied the faucet will have a center post (see picture at right). If the side spray is not used the faucet becomes a classic bridge style. There is a choice of lever or cross handles. This bridge faucet is available in chrome, blackened bronze or satin nickel. In addition, Culinaire offers a matching single hole bar/pantry faucet. These faucets are solid brass for durable, long lasting  product.

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AMS Culinaire HiFlow Kitchen

AMS Culinaire Pullout

The Culinaire contemporary group features a pullout spray faucet with easy reach control, cast brass body and ceramic disc technology. If you prefer a side spray there is a single handle high arch model. Both are available in polished chrome, blackened bronze or satinless steel (PVD).

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AMS Pekoe Semi-Professional

AMS Pekoe Extender

The Pekoe Collection was introduced in 2010. Modern looking, Pekoe includes high arch kitchen and bar faucets, with or without pullout as well as a more standard pullout spray head model. The Pekoe Semi Professional is based on a classic pre-rinse modified for a residential kitchen. The Pekoe Extender has an aerator that pulls out, swivels and can be switched between aerated or needle spray.

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AMS Arch Pullout Spray

AMS Arch Pullout with soap dish

The Arch Collection is also new. Based on a classic “C” spout the collection includes a pull-out and a high-arc single handle faucet, with or without side spray. The collection also offers a new base plate with an adaptor to accomadate a soap dish; a good solution when retrofitting to an existing three hole sink.

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AMS Lakeland Pullout Faucet

AMS Lakeland Kitchen Faucet

The Lakeland series is a transitional looking single handle series.  Available in a single handle pullout or a classic single handle style with side spray. Both are available in chrome or PVD stainless steel. Lakeland is shipped with a base escutcheon that may be used or discarded.

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AMS Connoisseur

If you are looking for a solid single handle faucet then you should consider Connoisseur. Every Connoisseur faucet has a cast brass swivel spout and includes an escutcheon and side spray, both of with you have the option of using or not using.

Hampton, Reliant+ and Colony Soft are more competitively priced and include a pullout spray and cast brass single handle as well as traditional two handle models.

AMS Reliant+ Pullout Faucet

AMS Colony Soft Kitchen

AMS Hampton Kitchen

There is a lot to choose from. Is there one for you?

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Toto – Innovation, Technology, Quality…Good Looks Too!

Filed under Bathrooms by on September 24, 2010 at 3:24 pm {2 comments}

Toto is well on its way to becoming a household name. When I started at General Plumbing Supply in the mid-nineties the only Toto we had heard of was a few glass bowls we had received as samples from Japan. Today people come in asking for Toto by name.

Neorest Suite by Toto

How did Toto become so well known? I think they did it in great part by finding a problem and being the best at solving it. The problem was the mandate for 1.6 toilets that became law in 1995. At the time there were other companies offering 1.6 toilets but none of them worked all that well. Toto came in with just a few models but they worked great and soon most of what we were selling was Toto.

For a long time there were very few style choices and nothing very decorative. No faucets, no tubs just some lavatories and toilets that flushed really well. But slowly they introduced some new styles and began to develop some suites. But what really kept Toto advancing was a focus on technology that kept creating new, high performance water saving products.

Toto Ryohan Vessel

One of Toto’s signature products is the Neorest which might be called the ultimate toilet.

Toto Neorest

 Introduced in 2003 the Neorest includes Toto’s unique cyclone flush action and bidet seat functions. The Neorest can be programmed to raise the seat automatically when someone approaches the toilet and will automatically close the lid after a short period of time. The washing and drying functions are operated by remote control from a wall mount touch pad. The Neorest is now available in two sizes; the 600 and the 550.

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Now the Neorest concept has been extended to a complete experience suite. The air bath for two includes cascading shoulder warmers and underwater lighting. The lavatory has an integrated fill spout and is sensor activated. Soon Toto will be introducing Neorest II, continuing the tradition of innovation and exceptional experience.

Neorest Air Bath

Neorest is the premier Toto product and is aimed at the very discerning individual. For the rest of us Toto has created an extensive collection of styles and products. I think my favorite is the “Soiree” collection, a clean line architectural look. The Soiree (and EcoSoiree) 1pc toilet includes the new double cyclone flushing system which has replaced G-max as Toto’s top-of-the-line system (you will find it on the Toto Drake II and Ultramax II models as well). In addition the suite includes pedestal and counter sinks, bathtub and faucet collection.

Soiree Suite by Toto

The Guinevere suite has a more traditional look with fluted corners and molded edges.  The pedestal sink is available in two sizes and the matching faucets come in polished chrome or brushed or polished nickel. The Lloyd suite also has traditional lines but has been adapted to a “transitional” look. The toilet is available with an antique cherry seat or with an all white seat for a more contemporary look. The sink is available as a contemporary metal leg console or a wood table frame with metal feet.

Guinevere Suite by Toto

For those with traditional taste Toto also offers the Clayton, Mercer and Carrollton suites. The Nexus and Pacifica suites are for those who prefer a more modern look.

Aquia Wall Hung Toilet

Waza Noir by Toto

Kiwami 1 hole by Toto

In addition to their Suite products Toto has continued to expand their offerings of toilets, sinks and faucets.  Toto has recently introduced the Aquia wall hung toilet; a variation on the existing Aquia dual flush line.  The Supreme II, Carolina II, Carlyle II and Vespin II all meet the new Water Sense requirements and offer the superior cleaning of the Double Cyclone flush. Toto has also moved more into the design world with the new faucets (Kiwami, Design C) and Waza lavatory sinks.

Toto Water Sense Toilets

So there is more to Toto than you might think. Stop by some time and we will show you more. We are the only Toto Gold Gallery in the Napa Valley.

CalGreen Comes to California in 2011

Filed under Bathrooms, General Information, Thoughts on Buying by on September 17, 2010 at 4:59 pm {no comments}

2011 will bring the implementation of new “CalGreen” regulations in California. These regulations are designed to improve energy and water efficiency, materials conservation and environmental quality in residential and commercial buildings.

In regards to water, CalGreen is aiming to reduce water consumption by 20% in buildings. My understanding is that this can be accomplished in one of two ways. Either through the use of low flow products (1.28gpf toilets, 2.o gpf shower heads, 1.8 gpm kitchen faucets and 1.5 gpm lavatory faucets) or through a performance approach as described in the regulations.

We have been selling 1.28 gpm toilets for well over a year and have actually been pretty impressed with many models by both Toto and American Standard. Toto’s “double cyclone” flushing system is designed to create a cyclonic wash in the bowl for a cleaner result. The American Standard Champion and Cadet 3 flushing systems have also performed well. I believe compliance with the 1.28gpm standard can happen without sacrificing performance.

I also think that lavatory faucets with a flow rate of 1.5gpm will ultimately be acceptable to most people. There is a noticeable difference from the 2.2 gpm we are currently working with but once one becomes accustom to the new flow rate I believe most people will find it OK.

There may be more resistance with kitchen faucets. I know when I am washing large pans I want a strong stream of water to rinse and 1.8 gpm may not be enough to really do the job. On the other hand if you are doing most of your dish washing in a dishwasher it may be that the low flow kitchen faucets will make less of an impact.

The place I think we will see the greatest resistance is in the shower. Questions remain as to how CalGreen with effect the remodeling market but it is clear that we are moving towards an end to multiple outlet showers. CalGreen Section 4.303.2 titled “Multiple Showerheads Serving One Shower” states that “when single shower fixtures are served by more than one shower head the combined flow rate of all showerheads shall not exceed the maximum flow rate… or shower shall be designed to allow one showerhead at a time to operate”. The maximum flow rate for shower heads to comply with 20% savings is 2.0 gallon per minute. It is hard to imagine multiple heads with a total flow rate of 2.0 gpm.

Of course the regulation does state that reduction may be measured with a performance approach so perhaps that leaves the door open to developing ways to capture and reuse gray water from multiple outlet showers? I do not know (there are problems with shower water as gray water). I’m afraid we will also see many attempts to get around the regulation.

Water conservation is important and fortunately technology is making it increasingly easy to comply without giving up too much performance. If you would like to read the summary of CalGreen please click here.

Water Conservation Gets Serious

Filed under Bathrooms, General Information by on June 3, 2010 at 10:48 am {no comments}

Water conservation is a fact of life today. Ever since the 1970’s when we were putting bricks in the toilet tank there has been a focus on saving water in the bathroom. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 set a requirement that toilets not exceed 1.6 gallons per flush

Toto Drake II HET Toilet

Toto Drake II HET Toilet

(gpf), faucets not exceed 2.5 gallons per minute and shower heads not exceed 2.5 gpm (measured at 80psi). In 1998 the Department of Energy modified that to 2.2gpm (at 60psi) for faucets. These standards have been followed for years but today continuing pressure for water conservation is triggering changes in these policies at the local, state and national level.

California is now in the process of phasing in California Assembly Bill 715 which essentially requires that all toilets sold in the State be 1.28gpf by 2014. This change-over began this year, 2010, and requires that 50% of toilets sold this year be “High Efficiency Toilets” (HET). Fortunately the major manufacturers have been working on this for several years and there are now many models available that meet this standard and work very well. In fact we expect some manufacturers to phase out their 1.6gpf models completely by 2014. Already several models by Toto are available in 1.28gpf only.

The term “High Efficiency Toilet” comes from the EPA’s “Water Sense” program. This program makes it easy for consumers to recognize products and programs that save water without sacrificing performance or quality.  A “WaterSense” label means that a product has met the EPA standards for high performance at required conservation levels. These products include 1.28gpf toilets as well as faucets and shower heads with 1.5gpf flow rate.

In California 2011 brings the implementation of CalGreen, the first mandatory statewide green building measures. CalGreen refers to the California Green Building Standards Code which is administered as Part 11 of the California Building Code (see “Green Building in California Moves Beyond Voluntary Measures” – California Constructor Magazine). Among the new standards is a requirement for a 20% reduction of water use is all new commercial and residential construction. This requirement may spell the end of multi-outlet custom showers in California. In addition there are currently some indications that the U.S. Department of Energy may reclassify showerheads in a way that will result in a limit of one shower head per shower nationwide.

 While water conservation will continue to require consumers to make some changes it will not mean a loss of luxury in the bath. Companies like Hansgrohe, Toto, Alsons, Rohl and many others will continue to provide innovative products for today environmental requirements. We have working displays of many of these products and people are always surprised at how well low products really work. Come in soon and see for yourself!

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