(Seattle – Jan. 25, 2012) So zHome is the ultra-sustainable, 10-unit townhome development. Located also in Issaquah, WA. One that is redefining the future of housing. For it is also the first community in the Nation in which every home has earned the WaterSense label for new homes.
EPA’s WaterSense program is modeled after its highly successful Energy Star program. The goal of WaterSense is to significantly reduce water use nationwide to save water resources for future generations.
A home that is certified to earn the WaterSense label will use at least 20 percent less water than a standard, newly-constructed home and the high-efficiency WaterSense labeled fixtures perform as well or better than their traditional counterparts.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program announced that irrigation controllers were the first outdoor product eligible to earn the WaterSense label. The most efficient irrigation controllers operated like a thermostat for your sprinkler system. All as a result by telling it when to turn on and off. For it may provide home and building owners the ability to save 110 billion gallons of water. As well as roughly $410 million per year on utility bills.
Americans use nearly 9 billion gallons of water outdoors every day. That’s primarily for landscape irrigation. But also up to half of that is wasted due to evaporation, wind, and runoff caused by over watering.
In fact, single broken or missing sprinkler heads can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water and $90 on your water bill over a six-month irrigation season.
The benefits of the certification include:
Lower utility bills for future residents
Reduced strain on water and also wastewater systems.
More water left in streams and aquifers for salmon, recreation and other uses
Fewer greenhouse gas emissions due to reduced energy demands from water treatment and delivery
zHome was designed to push the limits of sustainable, production housing. Most noteworthy, it is the first townhome, zero-energy, carbon-neutral community in the United States. Also it received the Forest Stewardship Council’s 2011 award. Consequently for the best residential project in North America.
In addition, zHome strove to demonstrate a multitude of water-efficient technologies. All with a net reduction of 70 percent in potable water use. For that’s compared to a typical King County home. Cascade Water Alliance provided WaterSense labeled toilets, showerheads, and bathroom faucets, as well as innovative, real-time use monitors for every unit to ensure maximum efficiency. Each zHome unit also includes a rainwater harvesting tank (ranging in size from 1,000- to 1,800-gallons) that is used for clothes washing and toilet flushing.
Total Water Savings
WaterSense helps marshal the forces of the consumer marketplace. Moreover the innovative capacity of the private sector. That was said bu Nancy Stoner, EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for Water. Because since 2006, WaterSense and our many partners have helped Americans save 125 billion gallons of water. Moreover they also saved more than $2 billion in water and energy bills.
In addition, zHome was also brought to life through a highly collaborative public/private partnership. All consequently spearheaded by the City of Issaquah. Also and in conjunction with Built Green and King County. In addition, Port Blakely Communities and Puget Sound Energy. Furthermore and the Washington State University Energy Program.
In conclusion, Cascade Water Alliance is a long-time WaterSense promotional partner. For they are a non-profit corporation with the goal of providing safe, clean, and reliable water to its 400,000 residents and 22,000 businesses. Cascade is made up of the cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Tukwila and the Covington Water District. Furthermore and the Sammamish Plateau and Skyway Water and Sewer Districts.
Furthermore and to find out more about Cascade Water Alliance, visit: www.cascadewater.org
In conclusion and to find out more about WaterSense, visit: www.epa.gov/watersense
Finally, to find out more about zHome, visit: www.z-home.org
