Q: I never thought I'd get hooked on a plumbing column, but I guess there's a first for everything. In the past, you have talked about the benefits of HET toilets. I know they're new to the market, and since I'll be needing a new toilet soon, I want to know more. What exactly is an HET toilet, and how does it differ from a regular toilet? -- Betty in Alabama
A: Great question. Let's start with the name. "HET" stands for "high-efficiency toilet," so you can start by just calling them HETs. If you say "HET toilet," what you are really saying is "high-efficiency toilet toilet."
Now that we have the name down, let's get into the nuts and bolts of how HETs work. First, they flush with less water than a regular toilet. A new standard toilet flushes with approximately 1.6 gallons of water, and older toilets use as much as 3.5 gallons of water per flush. HETs use no more than an average of 1.3 gallons of water per flush. With this reduced water consumption, you may see an average water savings of about 4,000 gallons of water per year. But here's the really good news: most HETs are designed to flush with a lot of power, combining "high efficiency" with "high performance."
The big question I get with HETs is: How are they able to generate that powerful flush, with less water? Well, the secret is under the hood, or in this case, under the tank lid of the toilet. Some HETs use a "dual-flush" system where you can choose between a full-tank flush for power and a half-tank flush for savings. Other systems may include "air pressure" assistance for a jetlike flush, and new "Class 6" type toilets use a cylindrical flushing tower instead of a flapper to increase the water velocity in the bowl.
If you're not sure what to look for in an HET, the government has started a program to help you decide. It's called the WaterSense Program, and any toilet that carries the EPA WaterSense label is certified to be a good water saver and a good flusher. Also, in many areas across the country, your local water department may give up to a $150 credit for the purchase of a new HET. Contact local authorities to find out your exact credit. This credit can make your new toilet project twice as efficient. It's always better to have a new toilet that's a double saver, instead of a double flusher.
Q: I'm a handyman around my house, and my water-heater pressure valve had been leaking. I went to the home center and replaced the valve with the same make and model, but the new valve has already started leaking. Before I buy a new valve, I need to know if it's possible for a new valve to go that quickly. Should I buy another type? -- Bill in Washington
A: What you need to do is call a licensed plumber, since the pressure-and-temperature water-heater valve seems to be doing its job by releasing the excessive pressure. Remember, a water heater is a piece of heating equipment, and as simple as they look, they can be very dangerous if an unqualified person tries to work on them. No offense, but you stated you are a handyman, not a plumbing-and-heating technician. Water-heater T&P valves are designed to protect against excessive pressure and temperature buildup in the tank, so there may be a much bigger issue that needs attention. Your plumber can test all the controls, install any new controls needed and set the water heater to a safe operating temperature. Once your water heater is working properly, the T&P valve should stop letting out the water. So, take the pressure off yourself and call in a plumber.
(Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book "Ed Del Grande's House Call" and for hosting TV shows on Scripps Networks and HGTVPro.com. For information, visit eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande(at)hgtvpro.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
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