Go Green - October 2012

GOGREEN a special advertising section of the bermuda sun • october 24, 2012

Australian water saver arrives in Bermuda Fitting the Redwater Diverter ‘down under’ a sink could save you $600 a year

By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm

This little gadget could save you hundreds of dollars a year in water costs.

The Redwater Diverter is a compact, small mechanical valve which saves the initial cool water from a hot water tap and redirects it to a storage tank.

Instead of the cold ‘redwater’ being wasted down the drain it can be put to good use in the home or garden.

The water-saving device arrived in Bermuda last month and is already being installed in homes across the island.

It costs $195 plus the costs of installation through a plumber, but can pay for itself within the year.

It is estimated the Redwater Diverter could save you a tenth of your potable water supply each year.

Using Government statistics on occupancy and water usage, the average home in Bermuda, with three to four occupants, could save up to 8,000 US gallons of water.

This is based on an average usage of 55 gallons per person per day and waste water of 10 per cent.

If a truckload of water is 1,000 gallons, at $80 each delivery, that could save you $640 in water costs.

In every hot water tap, it

‘This device diverts the water out at full-flow and stops it from going down the drain where it is wasted.’ angus macdonald Redwater Diverter distributor

takes time for the water to travel from the hot water system through the pipes.

Initially, cold ‘redwater’ runs out of the tap until the hot water arrives.

The Redwater Diverter saves this cold water from running down the drain and instead diverts it through a return line, to a separate area.

Conservation This could be a water storage tank, swimming pool, garden or irrigation system, a toilet cistern or laundry area.

It can be installed upstream from any fixture where hot water is required.

“The optimum choice is to divert the redwater back to your potable water tank, but you could even divert it to an outside hose to water your garden or fill your pool,” said distributor Angus MacDonald.

Up to 10% of your potable water is lost through wastage.

With the RedWateR diveRteR valve you can

save up to 8,000 gallons of wasted water every year!

Mr MacDonald, owner of commercial facility management and maintenance company FTMS Ltd, became aware of the device when he was renovating his house.

He is now selling it on the island through Island Engineering, BAC (Bermuda Air Conditioning), Sticks and Stones, and ClearWater Systems.

“I introduced it to the island about a month ago,” he said.

“Quite a lot of people are interested so far. I’ve installed one at my house and another couple of homeowners have installed them. They’re all quite happy with it.

“Bermudians don’t like wasting water, particularly as they might have to buy it, so they try to conserve it.

“This device diverts See diverter, page 3

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versatile: The Redwater Diverter is now available in Bermuda for $195.

WHat iS a RedWateR diveRteR valve?

A valve that saves the cool water that runs down the drain while waiting for hot water to arrive, and sends it to: • a water storage tank or • a garden or • a pool

Unlike similar products available, the RedWateRtM diveRteR • uses no electrical devices in the form of pumps, elements, solenoids or timers, so no ongoing energy charges - only operates when you use your tap.

• obtains near 100% water recovery • is suitable for retrofit and new installation • once installed does not require you to take action before using the hot tap to operate • complements other water saving products and systems • can decrease your hot water delivery times

The RedwATeRTM diveRTeR valve has been designed with the interests of energy efficiency, and a sustainable environment.

Call today to start saving water!

(441) 333-1980 www.save-water.com

Go Green: a special advertising section of THE BERMUDA SUN

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diverter Continued from page 1 the water out at fullflow and stops it from going down the drain where it is wasted.

“Greenrock research has shown that the average water purchase per person in Bermuda is 6-8,000 gallons a year, which is pretty much what this will save you.

So you could possibly stop having to buy water.

“It also guarantees you will have a bulk supply.”

Mr MacDonald said: “This is new to Bermuda but is an older product that has been around for a while.

“It’s all about water conservation, but there are other benefits.

Droughts “It started in Australia in 2006. They developed it because of the droughts and the water shortages over there.

“In North America it’s not really known because everything is either well water or city water. For this device you really need a storage tank.

“In Australia, people have 2-3,000 gallon tanks outside to gather their rainwater.

“That’s why this device works well in the Bermuda market, because everyone has water tanks.”

Regarding the installation costs, he said: “Every home is different so it depends on how each house is set up.

“You may want to install one or multiple devices.”

The Redwater Diverter can service a single tap, such as your kitchen

sink, or multiple fixtures close together, such as the shower, sink and tub in your bathroom.

A plumber is needed to install each device and return line, but the average installation time for the valve is one hour.

The cost of materials and labour will depend on the length of pipe required for the return line but this can be PEX or PVC, which is easy to install.

The gadget can be installed in a cupboard below a tap for optimum water savings or under the floor, in the ceiling or in service ducts, if it is a commercial setting.

After installation you just use your hot tap normally.

The brass device doesn’t need any wires or electricity and is compatible with all tap ware.

As it is mechanical there are no ongoing energy charges to operate it.

It can be retro-fitted in existing plumbing or installed in new construction.

To see how much water you could save, let the hot water pipes in your home cool overnight and then use a bucket to catch the initial cold water in the hot taps in the morning.

Turn off the tap as soon as the hot water arrives and measure how much water is in the bucket.

Then use a water savings calculator to determine the savings you could make. n

For more information see http://save-water. com. Contact Angus MacDonald, call 333-1980 or e-mail info@save-water. com.

The roll out of eco-friendly carpets

By Angie Hicks Angieslist.com (MCT)

Carpet has long had a big, bad environmental footprint, with petroleum and fossil fuels used in its production and an estimated five billion pounds of carpet and carpet padding ending up each year in US landfills.

Slowly though, carpet manufacturers and installers have taken measures to reduce its negative impact on the environment through improved production and installation techniques, and an emphasis on reclaiming and recycling old carpet.

Trend Consumers are taking notice and are beginning to embrace the trend by asking about and purchasing more environmentallyfriendly carpeting.

“It seems like every year we get more people asking for environmentally friendly products,” said Steve Huddleston of Color Visions Flooring in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“Definitely people are more mindful of that, but more than anything else, I think they see (the benefits) as an added bonus that helps them make their mind up when they purchase it.”

Mr Huddleston said his top-selling carpet is made with a renewably-sourced polymer that is made in part from corn oil and requires about one-third less energy to produce than nylon carpet. It typically costs as much as a

n creative commons photo

choice: Traditional swatches of tufted carpet. Today consumers have more recycled and natural options. high-end nylon carpet, he said.

“It’s a very good product.

They don’t have to use oil out of the ground to make it. The material itself is also recyclable.

“It’s not the cheapest carpet in the store, but it’s our top-seller. It has an excellent warranty for one thing and it’s super soft.

“A lot of people shy away from things if they’re environmentally-friendly, because they think there has to be a catch.

“There’s no catch with this. They’re not sacrificing anything for it to be environmentally-friendly.”

Another popular carpet type is a polyester fabric made from recycled plastic drink bottles.

Though polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics have been used for several years to make carpets, technology continues to improve the carpet

type’s resistance to stain, durability and fading from sunlight.

PET carpet typically costs about 20 to 30 per cent less than nylon, said Brent Weaver of Weaver Carpets Inc. in Lakewood, Colorado.

“Instead of throwing all that stuff in landfills, they’re taking that stuff out and melting it down to pellets; then they take the pellets and make carpet fibre out of that,” Mr Weaver said.

“I think it’s evolving.

They’re making more and more.

“One of my largest wool manufacturers just came out with a polyester-based carpet. They’re making a lot of improvements to it.”

Mr Weaver said he’s seen an increase in manufacturers reducing their global footprint through their production techniques.

“(A mill in California) actually reclaims their own water, produces their own electricity and recycles all their scrap carpet in the mill,” he said. “(Another) is recycling out of landfills millions and millions of pounds of nylon carpet. They’re either recycling it back into carpet or back into a pad.”

Chemical-free wool and carpet made from seagrass, sisal and hemp are other natural, eco-friendly options.

Consumers interested in purchasing an eco-friendly carpet should research the manufacturer’s production methods.

Check that all environmental claims are certified in writing.

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) offers a ‘Green Label’ designation on carpets that have low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Recently, CRI launched a ‘Green Label Plus’, which sets higher indoor air quality standards for carpets and adhesives.

Talk to your retailer and installer about what options they offer for ecofriendly carpet, padding and adhesives. n

Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie’s List, http://www.angieslist. com/, which collects local consumer reviews on everything from home repair to healthcare to help consumers make smart hiring decisions.

Go Green: a special advertising section of THE BERMUDA SUN

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10 EASY STEPS

to save energy and money

Look after your fridge & freezer.

Set your fridge to only as cold as you need. Fridges with an Energy Star label could save you much on energy costs. Always use the energy-saver setting. Also, defrost your freezer when it collects more than a oneeighth of an inch of ice.

Follow these 10 simple steps and you’ll save energy and money.

Energy efficiency is key if we want to maintain a secure energy supply for the future, as well as minimise our global dependence on fossil fuels. Even small changes in energy usage can cause significant change. Best of all, your bills will be reduced. For

more information visit www.belco.bm

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Set your water heater to 120° F.

Most of the energy used by your dishwasher goes to heating the water. Use your dishwasher only when it’s full and use the most energy efficient setting. Remember to scrape excess leftovers into your bin beforehand.

Use hot water wisely.

Lowering the temperature just a few degrees can save a huge amount of energy.

Set your water heater at 120° Fahrenheit. It’s hot enough for your dishwasher, washing machine and showers.

Don’t air condition more than necessary.

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Air conditioning is the most expensive part of the average energy bill. Make sure your new air-conditioner

When replacing appliances, buy energy efficient ones.

Efficiency is key when choosing an appliance.

Energy Star appliances use less energy and save money. Whether you’re looking for a kitchen or home appliance, look for the Energy Star label.

When you turn things off, turn things off.

Even when your appliances are turned off, they use energy. That’s because a constant trickle of electricity is needed to keep them on standby.

These “phantom loads” quickly add up.

Some can use up to 30% energy while being on standby. When it’s unplugged, 0%.

is energy efficient. Clean your air filter regularly to increase performance. It prolongs the life of your equipment too.

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Use your dishwasher efficiently.

Use your microwave for cooking.

Microwave ovens cook food faster and require a lot less energy. They also produce less heat in your kitchen, which also means less energy needed for cooling.

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The biggest electricity saver in your house could be a lightbulb. Switching from old-fashioned incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs can make a big difference in you electricity bill, and the new bulbs last a long time.

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Turn the lights off when you don’t use them.

Why pay for electricity when you don’t have to? The average Bermudian household wastes money every year on lighting empty rooms. If you leave the room, turn the lights off. Also, before you go to bed, make sure no lights are left on.

Use timers.

Use CFLs and LEDs.

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A timer can save you hundreds of dollars a year. It can give you hot water when you need it.

Timers can also save energy for other items in your house. And turn your water heater off when you go on holiday.

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