Repair or replace those leaky faucets
Q. I need a new kitchen faucet because the old one leaks cold water. There seem to be many designs available at home center stores.
What types are most efficient at saving water and which are most durable?
Russ K.
A. It is important to repair or replace a leaking kitchen faucet even if the water feels cold. The dripping water may actually be coming from the hot water side of the faucet valve, but it feels cold because it has time to lose its heat before reaching the faucet. This can increase both your energy and your water bills.
Several factors impact a faucet's overall energy and water usage efficiency. The style and shape of the faucet can impact its convenience. A more convenient-to-use faucet allows you to turn the water on and off instead of letting it run between brief tasks.
A tall spout faucet, some as high as one foot, provides plenty of clearance to fill large pots or to get your hands under to clean foods.
These are also stylish and more popular today. If the faucet has a short or nearly horizontal spout, large pots must be filled in several steps from a smaller pot. This wastes more water down the drain while the water is transferred between pots.
Pull-down faucets, with a sprayer built into the outlet end, are convenient and efficient. Some have about a six-foot long nylon hose to allow for plenty of reach and flexibility. Greater length and flexibility makes it easier and quicker to wash foods and utensils using less water.
Look for a sprayer with an adjustable water-saving volume control down to 20 percent of the maximum. One which easily can be switched between spray or stream mode also makes it more effective and efficient. Also, a model with a 360-degree swiveling spout allows for more convenient placement of the faucet control handle.
Another factor to consider is whether you want a one-handle or two-handle control. If you are conscientious about using hot water only when necessary, a one-handle design is more efficient. It allows you to set the mixture of hot and cold water for the desired temperature and then vary the flow rate.
If you are not careful or children use a one-handle faucet, it's easy to accidentally position the handle in the middle when only cold water is really needed. In the middle position, the water feels cool, but it is actually mixing some hot water along with the cold. You might consider a less convenient two-handle design.
The faucet valve design impacts its leak-free life. The best quality faucets today use discs to control the water flow rate and temperature.
You may still find a few compression style (with washers) valve faucets available, but they leak over time and the washers must be replaced.
The following companies offer efficient kitchen faucets: American Standard, (800) 442-1902, www.americanstandard-us.com; Delta Faucet, (800) 345-3358), ww.deltafaucet.com; Kohler, (800) 456-4537,w ww.kohler.com; Moen, (800) 289-6636, www.moen.com; and Price Pfister, (800) 732-8238, www.pricepfister.com.
Q. I am having efficient replacement window sash kits installed at my home. I already have exterior storm windows which are in good condition. Should I permanently remove the storm windows now?
David S.
A. Installing just the new replacement window sash kits is less expensive than installing complete window units and almost as energy efficient. Since you already have storm windows, continue to use them.
The exterior storm windows will block the weather from deteriorating your existing window frames and new sash kits. The insulating dead air space they create will still help some even with the new sash kits.