During the 1800s, we embarked on technology to operate the printing press, and steam power provided us with the first form of mass communications and transportation. Steam power brought along with it sweeping changes in literacy and education. In the 1900s, the birth of radio and television with electricity and oil-powered combustion engines revolutionized our world.

Our society was changed forever, and today, we are on the verge of a third revolution with the Internet and a surge in technology that the world has never seen. This new revolution is reshaping the way we think about energy efficiency and the products we design and manufacture globally.

Energy efficiency is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to combat climate change, reduce consumer costs, and help businesses become more independent from the oil consumption we use in our daily lives. The Ministry of the Environment and Energy works with universities, businesses, and the national labs to develop new, energy-efficient technologies while boosting the efficiency of current technologies on the market.

In this article, we are going to look at two technologies that are geared specifically for homeowners:

  • Tankless Water Heaters
  • Dual Flush Toilets

 

Tankless Water Heaters:

In the average Canadian household, water-heating appliances can account for up to 25% of total utility costs. Considering that the amount is a significant chunk of change annually, what other alternatives exist for consumers to reduce their utility cost on water-heating appliances? The answer is to invest in a more cost-effective, energy-efficient method, such as switching to a high-efficiency tankless water heater.

Traditional water heaters run with a tank full of water that is heated on a 24-hour cycle. This means that you are always using energy, regardless of whether you are there or not. With a tankless water heater, you get the benefit of only paying to heat water when you need it. Another benefit to a tankless water heater is that it is heated quickly and on-demand for as long as needed. You can even go a step further for more significant savings by combining your space and water heating into an integrated, high-efficiency system.

This integrated system offers:

  • 90% efficiencies for both water and space heating
  • Less expensive than two separate systems
  • Elimination of separate exhaust systems

Whichever way you choose for your heating needs, any of these solutions will offer you a system that helps you save money and energy.

 

Dual Flush Toilets:

A dual flush toilet is a variation of the standard one-button flush toilet but uses two buttons or handles to flush different levels of water. Since it was first conceived by American industrial designer Victor Papanek in 1976, and then had its first practical implementation by Australian inventor Bruce Thompson in 1980, there was a redesign in 1993. The redesign aimed to cut water usage in half when the unit is used properly. The mechanism is universally accepted in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Israel.

Dual flush toilets are a powerful way to save water and money because they offer the option to use only the water you need. Through technology and innovation, there are two different flushes in one easy-to-use, unique handle. There is a longer green lever that provides a light flush for liquid waste at 1.1 gallons, and the full lever gives a complete flush for solid waste at 1.6 gallons. Like a standard toilet, the two-toned lever is located on the side of the tank, where flushing is intuitive. In addition, the top of the tank is available to store toiletries or facial tissue.

The dual-flush toilet lets you save water and money without sacrificing performance.

If you would like more information on how you can save money through energy efficient plumbing, then Contact Wentworth Plumbing today!