Smart Water: Faucets, Heaters and Systems

On the flip side is the instant cold water dispenser. Bradford White manufactures the chilled version of their EverHot in the EverCold, installed under-the-sink as well. The InSinkErator is an all-in-one under-the-sink product that combines an instant hot water dispenser, a water chiller and a filtration in one packaged unit. The mix-and-match options of the InSinkErator product allow for any number of combinations and prices with prices that can range InSinkErator's under-the-sink water chiller unit. from $200 for the hot-water only dispenser to over $900 for the hot water, filtration and water chiller units. Their latest Series 2200 line offers a wide array of style, design and finish options to match the dispenser unit with existing décor in the kitchen. “The Series 2200 gives homeowners additional design options when considering an instant hot water dispenser,” says Scott Roth, product manager at InSinkErator. All three units—hot water, filtration and water chiller—install beneath the kitchen sink and tie directly into the hot and cold water supply running to the kitchen. The carbon filter unit cleans all the water before sending it on its way; the combination filter and water chiller—which cools water down to 38 degrees—can save a home money on bottled water costs and will help spare the environment from growing landfills of used plastic bottles. Tankless Hot Water Whole-home tankless water heaters like Rinnai’s line of interior and exterior products save on water heating costs and can pay back on the upfront costs in a handful of years, but they can still be quite an investment. The tankless system is an alternative to the traditional hot water tanks that require constant heating—and thus, constant energy use. Heating water can account for up to 20 percent of a home’s energy costs. In a conventional gas or electric storage tank water heater system, the water is heated to a set temperature. This temperature is maintained through periodic operation of the system, whether or not water is being used.  Excessive heat loss through the walls of the tank or the system’s flue results in more frequent operation and higher costs. Tankless systems—also called instantaneous or demand hot water systems—heat only the water that is being drawn through the system, when it is drawn through the system. The tankless units will vary in size and application from larger,  whole-house designs to smaller, under-the-counter products used for individual bathrooms, dishwashers or clothes washers. Systems will be rated by gallons-per-minute of heated water, with costs as little as $200 for 1 gallon-per-minute units to over $1,000 for units that can heat as much as 5 gallons-per-minute. For a video describing on the energy efficiency of a tankless water heater, go here. Drip Irrigation Systems The hot, dry spring and summer months have home’s lawns thirsting for water. Many regions of the country face serious water conservation issues, however, which force homeowners to make tough decisions about landscaping. One water-saving alternative to the traditional sprinkler irrigation system is the drip irrigation system, which installs above or inches below the ground and supplies a steady, low-volume supply of water to the roots of the grass, plants and flowers. Drip irrigation systems eliminate water waste due to overwatering, surface evaporation and wind drift water loss associated with watering by hand or sprinkler systems. Starter drip irrigation kits can be purchased for as little as $50 and often come with the tubing, pressure regulators and parts necessary to assemble and install a complete system. Average prices for a system that can cover a entire home garden can usually be purchased for $200 to $600. More advanced systems can include digital timers to regulate the schedule and duration of cycles or a shut-off device that can automatically detect rain and moisture. Online retailers like DripWorks and The Drip Store offer whole kits, parts and guides on purchasing and installing a drip irrigation system. The home’s water source is accessed every day, for a multitude of reasons. Even the smallest investment to improve drinking water quality, conserve water or make hot water available in an instant is worth considering.

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