(NC)-Now more than ever, there are global events, local campaigns and even national government incentives to help Canadians reduce their impact on our planet. Finally, consumers are starting to see options to mobilize change in their own lives that are affordable and attainable. Of course, government rebates sweeten the deal even more. Now is the time for homeowners to invest in "green home makeovers".
Start off small with simple projects. A good place to start is to evaluate your home's efficiency. When it comes to residential water conservation, auditing one of the most wasteful areas in the home is the first step to improvement: the bathroom.
To see the fastest impact in cost savings and water conservation, start with the toilet. The average Canadian flushes the toilet five times daily. In homes with an industry standard 6.1 litres per flush toilet, that works out to more than 30 litres of water per day, per person. That's more than one billion litres across the country every day. In older homes, toilets are likely to use between 13 and 20 litres per flush. These are the toilets in most urgent need of replacement.
Dual flush toilets, which provide liquid and solid waste disposal options, use considerably less - either 3.8 or 4.3 litres per flush depending on the flushing option you choose. Switching to dual flush can save an average household of four people anywhere between 7 and nearly 19,000 litres of water in a year. Depending on what you pay for water and how often you use the light flushing option, the cash savings can be substantial.
Kohler's Persuade and San Raphael models are just a few of the dual flush options to choose from. Starting as low as $460, your rebate and long term water savings will pay for the upgrade in no time.
Now that the benefits of dual flush are clear, understanding rebate programs can help you save before the toilet is even installed. Here's how many rebate programs work:
1) Get an application form from the governing authorities. Reviewing their unique requirements and rules is important, as some details differ across the country.
2) Review a list of approved toilet models to ensure you're considering an eligible product.
3) Purchase and install your toilet. Dispose of your old toilet. In some regions, before and after images are requested as proof of the upgrade - be sure you look into this before disposing of your old toilet.
4) Submit all required forms and original proof of purchase to the authority issuing the rebate.
A simple and relatively inexpensive toilet upgrade is a great way to begin your green home makeover. Most rebate programs are available for a limited amount of time, so if you're considering an upgrade now is the time to research your options and invest in the right places.
You can learn more about applicable rebates and Kohler's plumbing products online at www.kohler.ca/savewater/rebates/
- News Canada