Renovation of a bathroom is a good time to assess its compliance with modern requirements. Today it is no longer possible to look at the bathroom as simply at a room only for hygienic procedures. On the one hand, this is a place where water is consumed more than actively, and there is a reason to make efforts for more responsible consumption. On the other hand, this is the point of application of the forces and creativity of designers who work in three directions at once.
The first is the introduction of technologies that reduce the human impact on the environment. The second is the creation of means for relaxation and pleasure with the help of water procedures. And the third is resource saving. Elena Makarova, Head of Private Label Development Department "Leroy Merlin", talks about the additional possibilities of modern plumbing, aimed at achieving all these goals.
1. Why is it worth paying for conserving technologies?
Before you buy sanitary ware with saving technologies, you will probably wonder if the savings are so great and if there is anything else that you will get for your money. It takes good reason to want to buy a new shower head to replace the one you are happy with.
In fact, the bathroom furnishing brand developers have already come up with, learned, and even tried to anticipate your needs. Every new product has an additional advantage besides saving. If it is a hand shower, then less water flows through it, but the quality of the jet is higher.
Additional value is the ability to choose from several modes for different needs. For example, to invigorate, you can select a harder jet setting. Conversely, to relax, you can set the soft shower mode. The new economical mixer model is easier to use thanks to new functions. A dishwasher in energy efficiency class "A" uses less water. Even a modern, economical toilet has an added value: its shape is optimized to save water and spend less time cleaning. Let's talk about this in more detail using specific examples and figures.
2. Cartridge for saving and aerator for convenience
Let's start with the simplest solution in case your old faucet is in good condition and you want to keep it. You can replace the cartridge in it - the main mechanism for saving water. The diameter of the cartridge directly affects the amount of water flowing out. The smaller the diameter of the cartridge, the more economical the mixer is.
After reducing the volume of the flowing water, you may encounter some problems: for example, it may seem that rinsing the dishes has become inconvenient. In this case, it is worth purchasing a mesh aerator nozzle, which will allow you to start saving water. The nozzle can be installed on any faucet with an internal thread at the end of the spout. The aerator breaks the stream of water into small streams and saturates them with air bubbles.
By doing this, you benefit in the quality of the user experience. The air-saturated jet washes away impurities just as effectively at a lower flow rate. At the same time, washing your hands with water with bubbles is more pleasant.
The fix seems very simple, but the savings figures are impressive. Without an aerator, the average flow rate of water flowing out of a conventional mixer is 12.6 liters per minute. The savings can range from 3 to 9 liters per minute.
In home improvement stores, there are usually up to ten types of aerators with different costs. Models with plastic or metal mesh are usually the cheapest.
In more expensive models, a complex mesh is installed to improve mixing of water and air. Models with a silicone tip and additional options are even more effective. An additional option can be, for example, a function for adjusting the direction of the jet.
Aerators with plastic or metal mesh need to be changed quite often if they operate in hard water. Silicone aerators are easy to clean from limescale and other deposits. To do this, simply rub the attachment with your finger. Almost all modern faucets are sold with a pre-installed aerator.
3. Water-saving relaxation cans
Watering cans with several modes are offered today by almost all brands. The principle of operation of economical watering cans is similar to the operation of an aerator: the water in them is enriched with air bubbles. The watering can has a built-in switch that changes the pressure and the number of air bubbles. In a home goods store, there are usually 2-7 watering cans.
The selection includes: standard mode, water saving mode, several massage options, rain mode and intermediate modes. In economy mode, the maximum possible amount of bubbles is mixed into the water. Manufacturers usually refer to this mode as “champagne splash”. In this mode, the water consumption can be reduced by up to 50%. The second most economical "rain mode", in which you can save up to 30% of water. In specialized plumbing stores, you can find watering cans with a large number of modes. Usually these are different types of massage regime.
The most technologically advanced watering cans are equipped with an automatic water flow control device. For this, they have a built-in pressure regulator. The device not only saves up to 50% of water, but also makes it possible to take a shower for pleasure, without fear of a sharp increase in pressure. Watering cans with the "aquastop" function also provide an opportunity to save water. If you need to temporarily stop the water, for example, to apply shampoo to your hair, you can press the Pause button and the water will turn off. In some mixers, the "Pause" function is activated by the mode switch.
4. Mixers to save cold and hot water
Everyone knows that single-lever mixers are more economical than mixers with two valves. Therefore, brands today are competing in design and strive to make single-lever mixers even more economical. One such development is the two-position cartridge.
A mixer with a two-position cartridge allows the lever to be raised approximately to the middle in one motion, after which it locks in an intermediate position. The pressure in this position is limited to about half - from 4 to 9 liters per minute flows through the mixer. With the second movement, you can raise the lever all the way and turn on the mixer at full power. The flow rate will be 9–12 liters per minute.
Another saving function, implemented in some single-lever mixers, is the "cold start" (ECO ENERGY) mode. When the lever is turned on, cold water flows straight / upward. To dispense hot water or adjust the temperature, the lever must be turned to the left. This is convenient if you need to rinse your toothbrush or hands.
5. Faucets with touch activation for maximum savings
Sensor faucets are one of the most economical solutions available. The mixer turns on and off the flow by a signal from the built-in motion sensor. You don't waste water while soaping your hands or brushing your teeth, saving up to 30% water. The added value is that the sensor faucet stays clean longer. After all, you do not have to touch it with your hands, leaving marks on the case.
Sensor faucets are as reliable as conventional faucets and last for 5 to 10 years. The automation unit can operate on mains or battery power. Battery replacement may be required after 2 or 3 years.
6. Mixer thermostats for scald protection
This type of automated faucet saves hot water. You set the temperature in advance and then only turn on and off the water supply.
High sensitivity thermocouple controls temperature. The automation responds instantly, even if the temperature in the hot water supply line changes unexpectedly. Additional value in safety: with it you can not be afraid of burns. Saving hot water with a thermo mixer is 20 to 30%.
7. Economical toilets
Saving water in the toilet cistern can be achieved in two ways. The first is a two-mode flush mechanism. The mechanism is operated by a double flush button. Pressing the smaller button drains 1/2 of the volume. The large button drains the entire water supply. The total volume may vary depending on the model, but usually it is 6 liters. Pressing the small button results in a corresponding discharge of 3 liters. There are mechanisms that allow you to independently adjust the volume of flush within a given framework. Usually such a mechanism is installed in installations for wall-hung toilet bowls.
There is a type of drain fittings operating in the "start-stop" mode. In this case, you start the drain by first pressing the button and you can stop it at any time by pressing the button again. Saving water in the mode of draining 1/2 of the tank volume or using the start-stop function can be up to 50%.
The second direction of economical solutions is associated with improving the shape of the toilet bowl. The most popular solution is rimless toilets. Removing the rim improves the flow path and requires less water to rinse the bowl. Changing the shape saves up to 40% water. The added value is that a rimless toilet is more hygienic, since there are no hard-to-reach places in the bowl where dirt usually accumulates.
8. Bottom valve
The tradition of using the sink as a kind of basin for washing came to us from Britain and some other European countries, where the tradition of saving water has historically developed. The drain valve can be used to close the drain and fill the sink with warm water. With continuous use of the valve, the water consumption is reduced by 40%.