We live in a time of “green living”. Green living means doing your part to help protect the environment. You can do this in numerous ways, such as driving a hybrid car (or not driving at all), switching your regular light bulbs for energy-saving bulbs, recycling, and investing in energy saving appliances.

All can save money. Yet there is one thing you use more than any other fixture in your house, and it will have the largest impact in over all consumption – your toilet.

Having the greenest toilet on the market today doesn’t mean you have to use composting or revert back to old ways of living. Instead it mean choosing a high efficiency toilet that will help you save the most water possible.

By installing a green toilet, you can do your part to protect the environment by reducing your water consumption.

In 1994, federal law mandated that all toilets must use no more than 1.6 gallons for each flush. The first low-flush toilets were not very good at their job – flushing. This gave low-flush toilets a bad reputation – after all, no one wants a toilet that will not properly remove waste. Who wants a plunger sitting around because you need it for daily use?

However, improvements have been steady and today’s low-flush toilets are much more capable of doing the job. You can even go one better than a standard low-flush toilet – you can opt for a high-efficiency toilet (HET).

HETs use 20 percent less water than standard low-flush toilets. Since a standard toilet must use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush, an HET will use no more than 1.28 gallons of water per flush. This may seem like a minimal amount of water – just a bit more than gallon of milk. However, these HETs, just like the standard toilets, get the job done.

With the use of a high-efficiency toilet, you can save thousands of gallons of water each year. Keep in mind that the toilets are tested for their usability – so you do not have to worry that you will have a toilet that cannot keep up with your household’s waste. You may even be able to get a rebate for replacing your old toilet with an HET – just check with your local water department for information.

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This year more than one billion people across the globe will participate in the 42nd annual Earth Day activities, with this year’s theme being Mobilize The Earth.

When the first Earth Day was held 42 years ago, 20 million Americans from all walks of life participated. It is credited with launching today’s environmental movement, and the passage of landmark laws that we rely on today, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Today you’ll find people participating around the globe, with activities planned in all types of venues, from schools to churches, individuals and businesses.

Mobilize The Earth is designed to provide people with a way of demanding immediate action to secure Renewable Energy for all, and a sustainable future for our planet. If governments from around the globe won’t take steps towards protecting and preserving the environment, it remains with the people.

One of the easiest ways to get involved is to participate in A Billion Acts of Green. Even the simplest of acts can make a difference and have a huge impact on the overall well being of Earth. To participate, simply choose one thing you will commit to to begin reducing your carbon footprint here on Earth. Here are some ideas to get you going.

• Plant a tree

• Plant a garden

• Change your landscaping to include xeriscaping and native plants

• Reduce use of bottled water

• Increase the efficiency of your water heater

• Purchase energy efficient appliances

• Install low flow toilets

• Recycle

• Install low flow fixtures in kitchen and bath

• Schedule an energy audit

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One of the easiest ways to save some money and live a greener life too is by making your home more energy efficient. Making your home more energy efficient is not a difficult task – you can use the following tips to get you started. Before you know it, you will have an energy efficient home and you will save some bucks, too.

Windows – A home loses heating and cooling through the windows – especially if the windows are old. Weatherstripping around the doors and windows can also age, crack and chip away, allowing gaps for cold air to enter your home. By replacing your windows, you can save anywhere from 7 to 24 percent in your average electric bill each month. Make sure you reap the rewards by investing in energy saving windows and storm doors. Yes, there is an initial cost of installation, but over time, your investment will pay for itself in energy and money savings.

Insulation – Another way a home loses valuable heating and cooling is due to lack of sufficient insulation. You may think the insulation in your attic and walls is sufficient – but if you have an older home, chances are it could be improved. With conventional stud walls, blown in insulation can greatly improve your comfort level and help reduce your heating/air conditioning bills as well.

Water Heater – Your first step to conserve energy is to turn down the temperature of your water heater to a setting of 120 degrees. Second, make sure your hot water lines are well insulated so they don’t cool off between uses. Third, use low flow fixtures throughout your home and consider a recirculating system to avoid wasting water while waiting for it to warm up. Finally, consider updating your water heater with an energy efficient model.

Light bulbs –Swap out your traditional, incandescent bulbs for CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps). The CFLs cost a bit more, but they last much longer and use much less energy. On average, a CFL will last 10,000 hours and use only 27 watts to generate as much light as a 100 watt incandescent bulb.

Ask the experts – You can arrange for an energy audit of your home. An expert will come in and evaluate your home and energy usage. The expert will tell you what changes you can make to reduce your energy consumption and save money.

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One of the most common misconceptions people have about going green is that you must make huge changes and give up all the luxuries of life to do any good. That simply isn’t true. Instead of looking at it like you’ll be giving something up, look at it for what you will be gaining instead. In most cases, it may not cost a lot of money up front to go green … and in fact you may end up saving money overall.

None of Earth’s resources will go on forever. Everything has a limited supply, its just a matter of how long we have until it disappears. And water is one of our most precious resources. We simply can’t exist without it.

Green plumbing puts the focus onto what’s most important … conserving our most precious resources. Right now, one in six throughout the world do not have access to safe drinking water. While that may not seem to be something we focus on here in the US, if everyone does their part, it really can make a difference.

The first and easiest step you can take is to have a certified green plumber conduct an in home water and energy audit of your plumbing system. This audit will point out trouble areas, places you can change, and things that will make a difference to your bottom line.

During the audit, a trained technician will inspect your plumbing system. They will check for visible leaks, hidden water breaks, discuss your current water usage habits, and make suggestions for improvements. Suggestions will range from simple tips you can put into place on your own, as well as home improvements that could be made to your existing plumbing system.

With your audit guide in hand, you can begin taking steps towards efficiency. Keep in mind that you don’t have to do everything on the list at once. Instead, pick one or two and gradually add them into your life. Even schedule your checkpoints so you’ll be sure to incorporate all of the tips over the course of the next years or two. Your green plumber can even make suggestions as to what would be most beneficial to tackle first.

Ready for your energy audit? Schedule it today and be on your way to greener living.

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In today’s society, living a “green” life is becoming quite popular. Living green means you are doing your part to help protect and preserve the environment and the planet.

There are many ways that you can do your part for the environment and planet. You can drive a hybrid automobile or, even better, not drive at all and utilize bicycles. You can use energy-saving lights and appliance, and you can make recycling a part of your daily routine. Another way to live a green life is with green plumbing.

Green plumbing involves reducing water usage, recycling water, and making use of sustainable resources. You can seek out the services of a licensed green plumber to help make your home’s plumbing as green as possible. Licensed green plumbers know all there is to know about utilizing solar power for hot water, water-saving technologies, and other green aspects of plumbing.

Your green plumber can conduct a water audit of your home. This 50-point inspection of your home will help you pinpoint various ways to reduce your water usage. Once you have determined where you can make reductions, you can begin making the needed changes. It may or may not involve upgrading your appliances to more water/energy efficient models, depending on the make and model of your current appliances. For example, upgrading your water heater to a hybrid model can significantly impact your energy usage when it comes to heating your water. Hybrid water heaters provide an endless supply of hot water on demand, and emits ultra low emissions, meaning it leaves almost no carbon footprint.

In addition to helping the environment, some of the changes you make may qualify you for a government rebate. The green plumber you choose will have all of the information you need to apply for and receive the various rebates. Once your home has green plumbing, you can rest easy knowing that you are doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment.

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In this day and age of “living green”, here are many things to think about as you update your home. From new toilets to xeriscaping your yard, every little bit of saving helps.

Because water is a precious commodity, lowering the amount you use every day is a step in the right direction. And with multiple people in your family who all love to spend time in a warm shower, it can be a way to quickly see the savings pile up. By improving the efficiency of your shower, you can have more comfortable showers, as well as save a bit on your utility bills. The following tips will help you increase the efficiency of your shower.

The easiest way to make your shower more efficient is to install an energy-efficient showerhead. These showerheads have a slower flow rate. They use less water per minute, yet are powerful enough that most people do not notice a difference in water pressure. Install an energy-efficient showerhead and you may notice a difference on your next water bill.

Once you have a low flow showerhead in place, you can eliminate water waste by installing a recirculating system. In most cases people leave the shower running for several minutes to warm up before stepping in. This eliminates the need for “warm up” time as you will instantly have access to warm water.

Sealing off your shower from airflow is another way to make it more efficient. Instead of having to compete with dry air, your shower will, essentially be in a world of its own. You can accomplish this by installing sealed shower units. The doors on these units normally close tight and have a rubber seal. Instead of a hanging shower curtain that allows air into the shower, you now have a door to keep the dry air out and the moist air in.

Sealing your shower makes your shower work less to keep you comfortable. When dry air reaches the shower, you probably find yourself turning up the hot water just to stay warm and cozy. Eliminating the drafts will eliminate the problem. You may also notice less steam. Less steam means a lower chance for mold to develop.

By making your shower more efficient, you can save on your utility bills and have a more pleasurable shower. A few changes will have your shower operating efficiently, your utility bills lower and your wallet just a bit fatter. Everyone wins with an efficient shower, including you and the environment.

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New Years Even is just around the corner. Have you made your New Years resolutions yet?

While everyone makes the standard resolutions – diet, exercise more, get organized – maybe its time to make simple resolutions you can keep. And one’s that will make a difference in the world around you too.

1. Use energy only where you need it
How many times have you walked out of a room and left the lights on or the TV going? If you’re going to be in the kitchen cooking, and won’t be returning for an hour or more, why not turn everything off? Not only will you make a difference in energy consumption, your electricity bill will be lower as well.

2. Shut off the water
Its easy to turn on the shower to warm up while you continue to do chores around the house. Instead, get ready and monitor the temperature. You’ll be surprised at how quickly the water warms, and will be able to reduce your water consumption too.

3. Eliminate the use of paper towels
One of the biggest sources of waste in our homes is paper waste. Instead of relying on paper towels to clean up messes, consider investing in rags, towels or microfiber clothes. If you store them in convenient places, they’ll be ready and waiting for you when you need them.

4. Reusable bags
If you haven’t made the switch to reusable bags, make this the year. The average family shops weekly and gets several bags at a time. Leave your bags in the car so that you won’t forget them the next time you head out. You can get cloth bags for staples and insulated bags for your cold items. And instead of using a product weekly that uses scarce petroleum products, why not use one you can reuse and throw in the wash when it needs it?

5. Check your home for drafts
Especially in this freezing weather, its easy to find cold spots and drafts. Check windows and doors and see where your cold spots are. If you feel air coming through, caulk the windows and replace weatherstripping. This can save you in more ways then one if your plumbing is on an outside wall.

6. By local
Summer is a great time to shop the farmers markets. Here in Denver they are all over town. Even in the winter months you can look at your supermarket for local foods, including meats, eggs, dairy and flowers. Its great to support our local Rocky Mountain communities, and your food will be fresher too.

7. Use shorter cycles
If you have a newer dishwasher and washing machine, check to see if they have quick cycles. A quick cycle will get your dishes and clothes just as clean using less water.

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This Saturday, we’ll be celebrating World Toilet Day.

Toilets are probably the last thing on your mind as you head through your busy day. And its probably not something you discuss with your friends as you get together for a great meal and a bottle of wine.

Toilets are something we’ve come to rely on and rarely think about here in America. Yet throughout the world, 2.6 billion people, or 40 percent of the world’s population, do not have access to adequate sanitation.

Without access to an adequate sanitation system, people resort to using their environment as their toilets: open fields, roadsides, buckets, rivers and streams. All of this leads to water borne diseases such as acute diarrhea, cholera and dysentery, and the eventual outcome is death.

All because they don’t have a system in place that is easily available throughout the rest of the world.

Everyone should have the right to access a toilet, and know they have a sanitation system in place that will keep their families safe and healthy, and make their environment a better place to live.

And on November 19th, you can help by taking just a minute to help celebrate World Toilet Day. Start by visiting their website – WorldToilet.org

Look at the facts – some of them are startling. For instance, did you know that the majority of the illness in the world is caused by fecal matter. Almost one tenth of the global disease burden could be prevented by improving water supply, sanitation, hygiene and management of water resources.

Take part in an activity, or set one up in your community – Events are occurring all over the world. How about learning about disaster preparedness in Oregon, or taking part in the Golden Poo awards in the UK? With events all over the world, how can our communities right here in Colorado get involved?

Have fun with it – People are invited to find the weirdest toilet signs in the world and share them on the World Toilet Facebook page.

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Americans are constantly reminded of the importance of going green to save our planet.  The grocery store carries “green” cleaning products and consumable goods.  Companies promote their eco-friendly ways, and everyone talks about the negative effects of global warming.

You have probably made changes in your home to help the environment.  You might be using those green cleaning products.  Maybe you are the type that takes reusable bags with you to the store.  Amid all your green efforts, did you know that your choice of paper products could also help the cause?

The Natural Resources Defense Council has stated that if each American household replaced one roll of regular toilet paper for one roll of 100% recycled paper, we could save almost 43,000 trees.  That’s after replacing a single roll.  Imagine how many trees we could save if we only used recycled toilet paper.

Not only does recycled toilet paper cut down on the number of trees cut down each year; it also saves energy and cuts down waste like air and water pollution.  Recycled paper doesn’t require the same processing as new paper.  A simplified production leads to a reduced environmental impact.  Recycled paper also makes use of products that would otherwise be disposed of, so recycled paper also means less waste.

While recycled paper has many positive aspects, there is one aspect people tend to find less desirable: the softness or lack thereof.  While it is true that many recycled toilet paper brands lack the softness of non-recycled brands, soft brands do exist.  You probably had to shop around a bit before you found a brand of regular toilet paper you liked.  Similarly, you might have to try a few brands before you find one you like.  Just don’t give up if the first one doesn’t have everything you want from your toilet paper. The positive impact on the planet is well worth it.

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When you get a glass of water from your kitchen sink, you probably do not think twice before drinking it. After all, your water supply should be safe for drinking, cooking and bathing. We monitor it, right?

However, all water supplies are NOT filtered equally – and there could be a variety of things in your water. Things that you do not know about, and that you may actually question why you are putting it into your body. Understanding what could be in your water supply will help you ensure that your water is safe for your family’s needs.

If your water is an odd color, such as brown or yellow, this is likely to be from rust. The rust can be located in your home’s pipes or in the city’s pipes. Determining where the rust is coming from is the first step in getting rid of discolored water. Rusting pipes are a sign of corrosion and can lead to leaking pipes. If you are unable to determine where the problem lies, contact a plumber for help.

If your water appears to be cloudy or milky, you probably have air in your lines. The best way to determine if air is the culprit is to fill a glass with water. Let it sit on your counter for a few minutes. If it is air, the water will start to clear from the bottom up. If the water is still milky after five minutes, contact your local water department for information on further testing.

Water tinted with green is usually caused by copper plumbing that is corroding. Algae in water supplies can also lead to green water. Algae does not represent a health risk, so you can try filtering your water if the color is bothersome. You can also contact your water supplier for more information. Blue water is usually a sign of severe corrosion of copper plumbing. If this happens, you need to consult a plumber to determine if the problem is within your lines and, if so, to replace the lines.

As far as scent, two common scent issues are chlorine and sulfur. If you notice a strong chlorine scent, contact a plumber to have your lines flushed. If the problem persists or is determined to be in the water supply, contact your water department for information. If you notice a sulfur odor, this is normally from your drain. You can disinfect the drain and pipes and the problem should go away. If you are ever unsure of what is causing your water to look or smell odd, seek professional advice.

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