Already installed compact florescent light bulbs or low flow shower heads? Already have solar panels on your roof? Trying to figure out the next best way to make your home the greenest on the block? Take a look at the following technologies that are coming on the market.
Hot Water Recirculating Pumps (HWRP)
HWRPs reduce the wait time for hot water and reduce the volume of cold water that that has to flow down the drain before the hot water arrives at the faucet. These devices work by circulating the hot water inside the piping system through the water heater to keep the water hot close to its point of use. The average homeowner can save 1,900 gallons per year per person.
Light-Emitting Diode Light Bulbs
These bulbs save energy by producing the same amount of light as other types of bulbs while consuming less energy. An LED bulb uses 88% less energy than an incandescent light bulb and 54% less energy than a compact florescent light bulb of the same output. A single incandescent bulb operated 8 hours per day will cost $24.53 per year compared to an LED bulb that would cost $2.78 to operate. The average lifespan of an LED bulb is 25,000 hours at a cost of $23 per bulb. When operated 8 hours per day, the bulb nearly pays for itself in one year of use and has an expected lifespan of 17 years.
High Efficiency (Ultra-Low) Plumbing Ordinance
The City of Los Angeles now mandates the maximum flush volume of toilets at 1.28 gallon per flush for new construction and when fixtures are replaced in existing buildings. The next generation of ultra low flush toilets (high efficiency) include those that can flush with as little as 0.8 gallons as well as the dual flush toilets that offer a reduced flush volume for liquids only while still providing a full flush for solids. The average homeowner can save 1,460 gallons per year per person by using this technology compared to a 1.6 gallon per flush toilet. All high efficiency fixtures shall be approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Go to LADWP's toilet rebates
Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers
These products are smart irrigation controllers with a rain or soil moisture sensor designed to automatically turn off when irrigation isn’t necessary. These products are now mandated for new construction by the 2010 California Green Building Code. A rain or soil moisture sensor is added to help insure that the irrigation system does not turn on when irrigation is not necessary. These products are already mandated in the code for new constructions but can be retrofitted to irrigation systems to save water.
Go to LADWP's weather-based irrigation controllers rebate
Smart Showerheads
New showerheads have progressed from beyond being just low flow. Showerheads are available with adjustable flow rate to reduce the flow rate when less water is needed. Furthermore, there are showerheads that automatically shutoff once hot water arrives at the showerhead. This way, when one is waiting for the hot water to arrive, they don’t have to worry that hot water is going down the drain.