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Low Flow Toilets, Do they Really Work?

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

Low Flow Toilets, Do They Really Work?

The federal government decided that after 1994 toilets shouldn’t use any more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Manufacturers had to comply, but by most accounts their early efforts were a flop.

That was a decade and a half ago. The redesigned low-flow models that followed work as well or better than older models that used as much as 7 gallons of water per flush. There is, in fact, a joint U.S.-Canadian evaluation program called Maximum Performance (or MaP) that uses soybean paste encased in latex to see just how well these low-flow toilets work. And most of them work very well. Test results are easily accessible on the Internet.

High-efficiency toilets use even less water than standard low-flow models, some as little as 1.1 gallons. Dual-flush toilets, which have separate flush modes for solid and liquid waste, are another water-saving option. The differences in performance may seem trivial, but switching from a standard to a low-flow toilet can save thousands of gallons of water per year. If your thinking of switching that old WC in your Auburn or Grass Valley Home, give us a call; 530-272-9120 in Grass Valley or 530-886-8700 in Auburn and surrounding areas.

Tags: 1.6 gallons per flush, 1.6 gpf, abt, Dual-flush toilets, high-efficient toilets, Low Flow Toilet, Plumbing, toilet, water saver
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50 Thing You May Not Have Know You Can Recycle

Monday, March 29th, 2010

1. Old bricks, worthless? No, those bricks can be recycled, and are very valuable to some people!

2. Use reclaimed wood for your next project at home. Use your own, or find some on freecycle, Craigslist, at your local transfer station, or recycle.net.

3. There are many places you can exchange or recylce your old electronics.

4. Sell off or post an ad for free metal scrap to be recycled.

5. If you have enough, your old VHS tapes can be recycled

6. Packing tape and stickers cannot be recycled, so use these sparingly in the first place.

7. Tools are very valuable items on eBay. Try selling them in lots to save time, shipping waste, and energy.

8. Empty propane tanks may be able to be taken as scrap metal, or properly disposed of at hazardous waste facilities. Reuse these whenever you can!

9. Even large items like BBQ grills can be recycled as scrap metal once the propane tank has been removed.

10. Kids toys have a new life when they’re donated to thrift stores like Salvation Army or local churches.

11. Recycle your old prescription bottles, they have a million uses.

12. After they’ve been used up, recycle your old batteries.

13. How about other plastic numbers, what do those mean? You may be able to recycle some of them.

14. Flip flops can be recycled and repurposed a number of creative and unique ways.

15. Can’t figure out what to do with your old lamps, wall decor, or knick knacks? If you can’t eBay them, donate them to a thrift store for charity purposes. Craigslist and Kijiji are good alternatives, too.

16. Recycle your shipping styrofoam or reuse it.

17. Window treatments have the chance to live again as you recycle your curtains into pillows.

18. Carpet can be recycled if it is clean and usable.

19. Donate it, sell it, or recycle your television.

20. Stop by an Aveda location to recycle your bottle caps.

21. The rumor has been floating around that aluminum can’t be recycled. While the rules may differ per town, you can still reuse it a few times by giving it a cleaning.

22. Reuse your old jeans in these 25 ingenious methods.

23. Why trash it? Your shower curtain is a great drop cloth or apron.

24. Your ink cartridges are accepted at many different locations online and in person, like Staples.

25. You might be able to trade in your old printer for a credit on a new one. They’ll recycle it for you. There’s always earth911, too.

26. Tires are a must to be recycled, and it’s very easy.

27. Learn how you can recycle your roof shingles to become part of our roads.

28. Make sure when installing a new car battery that the mechanic will recycle it.batteries

29. Cardboard boxes can be taken at your local recycling station, or sent curbside if they’re small enough in most instances.

30. Save your old packing peanuts and recycle them by giving them to your local shipping company. They will gladly take them off your hands.

31. Your gently used clothing can be resold on eBay, or donated.

32. Good news! #5 plastics can be recycled at many Whole Foods locations.

33. Potato chip bags and those other foil packaging that often are used to wrap up junk food can be recycled at Terracycle.net.

34. Used (many times) ziploc containers and similar disposable plasticware can be recycled usually as #1 plastics.

35. Shaving cream metal cans are accepted in most recycling facilities with other metal cans.

36. Can tabs can be recycled with your cans. Don’t pull them off, that kidney dialysis machine time rumor is false.

37. You couldn’t have enough options to recyle your cellphone

38. Blankets can be recycled by donating them to animal shelters (if clean).

39. Recycle your own scrap wood and furniture by reusing it, or donate it.

40. Save that box and make some Pizza box art, or maybe just recycle it if you follow these instructions.

41. Mattresses, aerosol cans, even washing machines can be recycled.

42. Bread twist ties will be your new best friend after you read these creative uses.

43. Reading glasses can be recycled and donated, and are always in demand.

44. Old books can be sold on Amazon, or donated to thrift stores. There’s always the yard sale option, too.

45. Freecycle your old sports equipment.

46. Did you know your old aluminum siding could be worth a lot of money?

47. Your old greeting cards can even be recycled creatively.

48. Wrapping paper is just paper and has many ways to be reused or recycled.

49. Don’t forget all types of glass bottles can be recycled — wine bottles, jelly jars, colored glass… these are all accepted at most recycling facilities.

50. Your old screened doors have many ways that they can be recycled.

Tags: metal, old bricks, old electronic, Recycle, scrap
Posted in Saving Energy | 1 Comment »

New Years Resolution, Go Green

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Story From KYA 3.com Springfild IL. PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 2, 2010 at 9:49 PM CST

You may have a New Year’s resolution to get fit or stop smoking

, but if your resolution is to go green this year, one Springfield couple makes a great example. Many of us recycle, but Rick Scarlett and Gloria Johnson have done much more to reduce their energy use, shrink their carbon footprint, or simply go green in the past year. “I’m amazed at what we’ve done in a year,” says Gloria Johnson.

Over the past year, Scarlet and Johnson have gone green, and they think it will save them green in the long run. “The way the economy is, you’re not sure if you’re going to make any money, so we’ve decided it’s better to lower your outgo instead of raise your income, so that’s kind of the goal we’re working toward,” says Scarlet.

They own an electric vehicle for trips under forty miles, charging it with only five dollars a month. “It may not be a perfect technology right now, but somebody’s gotta be the first on to do it,” says Johnson.

They drive a Toyota Prius for longer trips. To cut down on trips to the grocery store, they’re growing plenty of fruits and vegetables right in their own yard. “We’re just going to redo it completely into a little farm back there,” says Scarlet.

They use rain barrels to save water, and speaking of water, the strange looking thing on their roof is a solar water heater. “The gage shows the temperature in the solar water heater on the roof, and it’s in Centigrade,” says Scarlet. For cloudy winter days, there’s a backup in the basement. “It comes back down to the tankless down here, and it runs through the tankless, and the tankless bumps it up to whatever temperature you have it set for- 115,” Scarlet says.

They’re also installing chili pepper pumps that eliminate that waiting for the water to turn warm. “You don’t run a bunch of cold water down your sink,” Scarlet says.

The couple will also soon get much of their electricity from the sun. “During the winter, it’ll probably be 50% of our power, and during the summer, it’ll do really well- probably take care of most of our needs,” Scarlet says.

They’re happy to be helping the environment. “I just feel like I want to do what I can,” Johnson says.

Plus, they’re cutting their costs for the future. “I think down the road, it’s gonna pay off really well,” says Scarlet.

They also have a dual-flush toilet with a smaller flush and a stronger one, and they’ve ordered a SunFrost refrigerator that is supposed to use only 20% of the energy of a regular fridge.

They also have double-pane windows, and are putting extra insulation in their 90 year old house to increase its efficiency.

Of course, most of us won’t be able to do it all, but Rick and Gloria suggest going green one piece at a time. One simple step is to unplug or use power strips to turn off things like microwaves or TV equipment off when they’re not in use to prevent the use of phantom electricity.

Posted in Saving Energy | 1 Comment »

Tankless Water Heaters in Grass Valley, Ca.

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Check: www.energystar.gov — check site for qualifying replacement models and more details.

Odds are, somewhere in your house is a black hole that’s sucking down a constant stream of wasted energy, and wasted money.

If you’re like most homeowners, the main culprit is the hulking tank that’s constantly keeping water hot for whenever you might decide to jump in the shower.

“Water heaters are one of the most energy-consuming appliances in the home,” says Rich Wenzel of the Sustainability Network. They can account for 14 percent to 25 percent of the energy consumed in your home.

“They’re keeping 30 to 100 gallons of water at, say, 120 degrees 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — and therefore offer an area of significant savings,” he says.

The savings potential for most homeowners is now greater than ever, thanks to the Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency.

In the case of water heaters, homeowners can get up to $1,500 back at tax time by installing a qualifying model (listed at energystar.gov). The tax credit covers 30 percent of the total cost — including installation.

Plumber Andrew Twidwell of ABT Plumbing, Electric, Heat & Air says most of the water heaters he sees in Grass Valley would be ideal candidates for replacement.

“Upgrading makes sense for anyone who has a water heater that is rated at less than 80 percent efficient. Most conventional water heaters you find in Nevada County have energy ratings of 52 percent,” he says. You can find your heater’s efficiency rating on the large yellow Energy Star sticker on the tank.

“On-demand, tankless gas water heaters are rated at above 80 percent and do not use energy when there is no demand for hot water, he says. Also, “tankless water heaters can easily exceed 20 years of use and maintain very high efficiency. Conventional water heaters average between 10 and 15 years in Auburn.”

Andrew says “the impact of this modest upgrade on a wide scale would be significant.”

“If most homeowners installed one of these hot water systems, the country as a whole would likely reap an overall energy savings of around 10 percent,” Andrew says. “With homeowners saving around 25 percent of their overall energy bills.”

Other tax credit options

Replacing your water heaters may be the most affordable, widely available way to take advantage of the tax credit — but it’s just one of several options. Tax credit incentives are also available for insulation, air conditioner replacement, furnaces and a number of other improvements.

A number variables determine whether it makes financial sense for a homeowner to invest in one of these options, says Ryan Jones of Home Inspections, a Grass Valley-based energy auditor.

First, he says, it depends on whether a homeowner is interested in helping save the environment or just saving money. If the latter, then most energy-efficiency upgrades will take at least a few years to pay for themselves in lower utility bills.

Insulation tends to pay for itself the most quickly — in four to seven years, Jones says. Woodstoves take longer at up to eight years if they’re used consistently — less if the wood is free.

In the case of roofs, windows and doors, Jones says it likely only makes sense to replace those once they’re worn out.

“If the windows and doors are moderately bad or not that bad, they will not be cost-effective to replace,” Jones says. And even if they’re very bad, they might not make sense to replace. “If the windows and doors are that old, the house probably has other areas that need improvement that would be more cost-effective.”

Nevertheless, Jones says the tax credit seems to be generating more replacement of windows and doors than any of the other energy-efficiency upgrades.

“HVAC has picked up some, but windows and doors picked up the most, because of window and door company advertising,” he says. “I think those are the only areas the tax credits have had much affect.”

No tax credit, but savings

It won’t make sense for many homeowners to take advantage of tax credits, Jones says. The upfront costs may be too high, or they may not plan on moving in a year or two. Regardless, he says there are several simple, cheap steps all homeowers can take to reduce their energy consumption — and their bills — now.

• Air-sealing the house by caulking exterior window frames and using foam weather stripping around leaking door jambs.

• Sealing air ducts — with a high-quality, aluminum-backed duct tape (not just ordinary duct tape), or with duct mastic, which does a better, longer lasting job.

• Hanging heavier drapes that extend to the floor over drafy windows.

• Using an insulating blanket on your tank water heater, and insulating foam around hot water lines.

Tags: tank less water heater, tankless, Tankless Water Heater Tax Credits for Auburn Ca.
Posted in Plumbing Tips, Saving Energy, tankless water heater | 1 Comment »

Is A Tankless Water Heater A Good Idea For My Auburn, Ca Home?

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Is a Tankless a good idea for my Auburn, Ca home?

I’ve been installing and servicing tankless water heater for over 12 years. People ask me questions all the time like, is a tankless a good idea for my Grass Valley, or Auburn Ca, home, do they work for the whole house, etc. It really depends on the application. If you want to save energy, and have endless hot water they’re great. If you want to save money, it gets a little more complicated. If you have a large water heater like a 75 gallon or larger, a large family, or family that come to visit often, they will save you money. But if there are only 2 people in the home and you have a 40 gallon water heater, it will take a while to pay for its self in energy savings. All though with the 30% Federal Tax Credit the pay back is a lot quicker than it used to be. The best thing is to have a Licensed plumber who has experience with tankless water heaters come out and give you an idea of cost. Be sure the plumber has experience though, the only time we’ve seen problems with tankless water heaters is installation issues. Tankless is a good choice, do some research, call an experienced plumber, and enjoy the benifits of endless hot water and energy efficiency.

Posted in Plumbing Tips, Saving Energy, tankless water heater | No Comments »

15 Energy Conservation Tips

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Here are some easy things that you can do, right now, to make a difference, many of which will save you money as well. What more incentive do you need?

1) Turn down the heat

Electricity consumption differs dramatically in households around the world, but energy efficiency is universal. Figures from Greenpeace state that the average household in Europe consumes 4,667 kWh, in Japan 5,945 kWh per year, whereas the typical American household consumes 11,209 kWh.

According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, by turning your home’s heating down by 2 degrees in the winter and up by 2 degrees in the summer you can save around 450 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

2) Unplug un-used appliance

You might get a small 21st-century thrill sitting in your Grass Valley home with the lights off watching all the red stand-by lights of your gadgets and appliances glowing in the dark, but they’re really little red warming lights that electricity is being wasted. Even when devices are off and those little red lights aren’t glowing, they still use electricity.

Fact: According to the University of Strathclyde in the UK, the average household will use 525 kilowatts per year to keep equipment in stand-by mode.

3) Buy energy efficient products

From fridges and ovens to computers and light bulbs, some energy efficient appliances may be more expensive to buy, but will generally save in energy use and bills in the long run. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use four times less energy, and last eight times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

Extra tip: Research your products before you buy them. Do the manufacturers have an environmental policy; do they try and avoid toxic chemicals where they can? Greenpeace’s guide to “greener electronics.” is a good place to start.

Learn more: All about electronic waste

4) Insulate your home properly

Yes it’s dull, but proper attic insulation and duct wrap can make a great difference to reducing wasted heat in homes and the amount of energy needed to heat them. Weather-sealed windows are also important, just as much for homes that need air-conditioning as heating.

Fact: The average American home that has proper weather striped doorways and windows can save 375 pounds of carbon dioxide and $274 per year. (Source: stopglobalwarming.org)

5) Don’t wash dishes by hand

Finally, a good reason to avoid washing up. No need to try and avoid the chore by protesting that scouring those pans will make your hands like scaly lizard’s claws and your life as hand model will be ruined, a study by the University of Bonn, in Germany found that a fully loaded dishwasher uses only half the energy and one-sixth of the water than hand washing the identical set of dirty dishes.

Extra tip: Choose a plant-based detergent as modern dishwashers use more detergent than hand washing (Source: Friends of the Earth). Also if you can’t pronounce the ingredients in a household cleaning product, it probably isn’t good for the environment.

Don’t Miss

6) Recycle more

We’ve been recycling for thousands of years. It was only when the industrial revolution came around that it became almost as cheap to make things new rather than reuse them. As well as reducing the need for “virgin” material

Fact: Creating a ton of aluminum cans from scratch takes five times the amount of energy as it would to produce a ton of recycled cans. (Source: Friends of the Earth)

7) Lower the Flow
Your old shower head probably delivers a lot more water than you really need. Reduce that to 2.5 gallons a minute or less with today’s standard shower head – it can make a difference in your water bill. The low flow shower heads of today work and feel a whole better than those old mister from the 70’s and 80’s. For even greater savings, replace your old toilets with today’s standard low flush models that use 1.6 gallons or less per flush. Again the new ones work a lot better than the first generation of low flow toilets. Give ABT a call we can help.

8) Reduce the Runoff
Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems can lower your water bills by delivering water directly where you need it. By reducing or eliminating runoff, you also reduce the burden of fertilizers and pesticides on our lakes, streams, and oceans and still have a gorgeous garden or lawn.

9) Keep Your Cool
Ceiling fans can make you feel cooler while reducing air conditioning costs by as much as 40% in summer. In winter, they can save up to 10% in heating costs by circulating warm air from the ceiling to the floor where you can enjoy it. Whole house fans work great in Nevada and Placer County where it usually cools off in the evening.

10) Try Branching Out
For an all-around environmental boost, plant a tree. When properly sited, trees and other landscaping can save up to 30% in home cooling and heating costs. They also help cool your community and make your Auburn or Penn Valley home even more enjoyable.

11) Look for the Energy Star Label
Replace your old, inefficient appliances with Energy Star qualified appliances and save energy and money.

12) Something Bugging You?
Stay in control by starting with nature’s own methods to beat the bugs. Attract birds with birdhouses, feeders, and natural backyard wildlife habitats to help reduce pests. Installing a Bat house is a great addition as bats will eat millions of mosquitos a night. Bug lights, screening, citronella candles, and insecticidal soaps are other less-toxic alternatives to pesticides.

13) Clear the Air
Tune up your systems to make your family more comfortable while you save on heating and cooling costs. Upgrading and properly maintaining your home air filters is easy and helps improve indoor air quality. Vented range hoods and room exhaust fans also help remove smoke, moisture, airborne bacteria, and other indoor air pollutants.

14) Get the Lead Out
In the U.S. and Canada, over 58 million homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paints. Houses plumbed with copper pipe before 1990 used 50% lead / 50% tin solders. To reduce lead hazards in your home and protect your family during any home renovation, ask a Paint Department at your local paint store for the free information sheet “Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home.” To get rid of the lead solder ask one of our plumbers about alternative piping for your home. Or you may just want to filter your drinking water. We can help with that as well.

15) Make Your Own Mulch
Composting is the smart way to dispose of leaves, yard clippings, selected food scraps, and other organic wastes. Instead of burdening landfills, you’ll produce rich nutrients to fertilize your nevada City garden the natural way. And it’s free. Make it a habit to recycle your glass, cans, cardboard, and newspapers, too.

For info call ABT Plumbing, Electric, Heating and Air Conditioning at 530-272-9120

ABT Plumbing, Electric, Heating & Air Conditioning serves:

Nevada and Placer County, Grass Valley, Ca. Alta Sierra, Ca. Nevada City, Ca. Penn Valley, Ca. Rough and Ready, Ca. Lake Wildwood, Ca. Smartsville, Ca. Colfax, Auburn, Ca. Lake of the Pines, Ca. Meadow Vista, Ca. Newcastle, Ca. and all places in-between.

Tags: 15 Energy Conservation Tips for Nevada And Placer County, Auburn ca, Colfax, grass Valley, Penn Valley
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