Feeling flush, government offers $50 for better toilets

Obviously flush with cash, the Manitoba government is offering a $50 rebate to anyone in the province who buys a high-efficiency toilet on Feb. 21.

The government is limiting the one-day offer to two toilets per customer.

Manitobans use less water, at 219 litres per day, than most Canadians, at 329 litres per day, but that doesn't mean residents should be resting on their backsides, the government says.

The rebate is part of an effort to conserve 80 million litres of water annually and save Manitobans $2-million on their collective annual water bill.

"We have worked with retailers to join in this new effort and are pleased with their widespread support to help preserve more clean water for future generations," Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick said.

www.macustrade.com

Melnick said on Feb. 21 the public can go to participating retail outlets throughout the province and receive an instant $50 rebate on the purchase of a high-efficiency, dual-flush toilet.

A matching $50 rebate is also available under the federal government's EcoEnergy program when purchasing an eligible high-efficiency, dual-flush toilet.

Cut your Water bill in Half with Dual Flush Toilets and other fixtures

Just installing aerators on sinks can help decrease the flows from your faucets.
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You might not know it, but on average half of your utility bill likely comes from your water heater having to constantly warm. But you don't need to call the plumber to cut your water bill in half.

Roscoe Overton was looking for a way to save money and save the earth through the purchase of his home. Not too aware of the latest green developments, it was the perfect time for his phone to ring.

“The plumber called and he said ‘hey, we have an opportunity to make a change’, and I said ‘what's that’, and he said, ‘we can get with the greenhouse’,” said Overton.

Mike Thigpen, the plumber on the other line, had found a way to install green water saving upgrades while also saving customers, like Roscoe green in the long run.

“There's only so much water on the planet, they're not making anymore and we've got to make sure there's enough to go around,” said Mike.

The first item to assess is a fast but highly effective way to cut water use yourself, just pop an aerator into each of your home's faucets.

“Automatically you cut the water usage in your sink by 50 percent,” said Mike.

Dual flush toilets can also really cut your water waste. “A standard dual flush toilet has one button for liquid waste, one for solid waste,” said Mike. Here, by treating bathroom situations different, the dual button toilet alternates between 1/2 gallon and 1 1/2 gallon flushes.

From dual flush toilets to solar water heaters, savings keeps adding up. The newest water heaters on the market could save you up to $1,200 in federal taxes, not to mention a hefty city rebate.

Mike shared,” There is a significant amount of savings because you're only heating water that you'd use rather than water that you're storing.”

That average savings is 50 to 70 percent.

Another trick you can do it yourself to limit water usage, install a low flow shower head. They’re readily available at hardware stores, just screw on the new shower head for big water savings.

“We're in a drought, you've got to save water; we're in an economic crisis, and you’ve got to save energy,” said Mike.

That savings was a big bonus for Roscoe. And he's thankful he gained awareness early enough to implement the green upgrades.

America's Greenest Hotel Has Dual Flush Toilets

A four-acre family home and vineyard is being billed as "America's greenest hotel." The Bardessono, a 62-room hotel, 92-seat restaurant and spa opens in Yountville, California today. The plans for the Napa Valley hotel have been in progress for 11 years, when the Bardessono family began their journey to turn family vineyard into a hotel. The family worked with Seattle developer Phil Sherburne to create a hotel that they hope will be awarded the platinum rating from the LEED Green Building Rating System. The 62-room hotel also includes a restaurant featuring locally sourced food and beverages and green spa that uses organic products.A rooftop pool includes private cabanas.

Salvaged wood was used for the project and two geothermal wells provide heat and cooling as well as hot water. Solar panels produce power and exterior Venetian blinds are automatically controlled to adjust to the sun. Other green features include low-flow fixtures, dual-flush toilets, drought-resistant landscaping and organically-sourced linens and cleaning supplies. Rates start around $500 a night.