|
Can Luxury Showering be Green?
by Stephanie A. Young
photos courtesy of MOEN® Incorporated
Luxury living and environmentalism. Now
there’s a pair that belongs on opposite ends of the
spectrum – or so we’ve always thought. As we’ve
become more aware of today’s environmental issues, many
of us have begun to think more responsibly when it comes to
building a new home. At the same time, however, an ever-growing
array of pampering amenities keeps us enticed with visions
of our “dream home.”
So, can a green home also be a dream
home? It can, because more and more of today’s
luxury products are also friendly to our natural resources.
As a result, many homebuilders are going “green,”
not because of the global warming crisis, but instead, to
satisfy the growing consumer trend of luxurious environmental
living.
 |
| Moen’s
Revolution Hand Shower
with Wall Bracket.
Finish Shown – Platinum |
Moen’s
Asceri Collection
5-Function Vertical Spa with Body Sprays and Hand Shower/Slide
Bar Combination.
Finish Shown – Classic Gold & Pebbled Cream |
A prime example of earth-friendly indulgence
is found in the realm of today’s sumptuous shower systems.
Whether your lifestyle is running a business, staying at home
with the kids, hustling as a hectic executive, or enjoying
retirement, there’s nothing better than pampering yourself
with a shower system that works just like a jetted tub. The
best part is that it will take up less time and waste less
water.
There are several showering systems
on the market in varying price points and configurations.
Kohler® offers the BodySpa as well as the MasterShower
Tower. Grohe’s® system is called the Amera Shower
System. The MOEN® vertical spa, however, is an example
of a showering experience that truly is a vertical bath. This
type of system will isolate more of your stressed sensory
points by jetting forced water on parts of your lower back
and kneading your scalp with a swirling, spinning, massaging
spray. To top it off, you can dial up your favorite hot water
temperature instantly with a touch of a knob.
Because the heart of the system begins
with Moen’s own ExactTemp pressure-balanced thermostatic
valve, the water temperature doesn’t fluctuate –
even as the hot water in the tank gets lower. Users
can dial up the same shower temperature day after day, just
like a thermostat. Temperature settings on the dial correspond
to water temperatures between 85 and 115 degrees. This product
features pressure-balancing, which maintains water pressure
so effectively you will never feel a hot or cold surge in
water, also known as “shower shock.” The valve
ensures that water temperature remains a constant ±2º
F.
Installation is a cinch. The
advanced engineering means that the 1/2" valves create
a luxurious experience while using plumbing lines common to
the majority of households. The benefit of the 1/2" valve
also means that the shower is using less water while still
providing the feel of a system plumbed with a 3/4" valve.
The Moen vertical spa delivers maximum force at standard gallons
per minute, without the additional expense of larger or multiple
water tanks or larger capacity drainage systems. And best
of all, there’s still enough hot water for the next
person in your family to take a shower or do several loads
of laundry!
With any of today’s showering
systems, it is easy to add different showerheads for additional
effects of spinning, twisting or spiraling that twirls the
water for phenomenal coverage. Body sprays –
large or small, single or multi-function showerheads, hand
showers, multi-function transfer valves and even rainfall-like
showerheads are all designed to operate within federal guidelines
imposed on faucet and showering devices since 1994.
So whether you’re building a new
home or remodeling your current one, remember to include one
of today’s water-friendly showering systems.
Finally, you can de-stress your body without re-stressing
your mind.
| 
|
Stephanie Young's Bio:
Stephanie A. Young is a specialist in kitchen and bath
lifestyle trends. Based in Houston, TX, she works as a
builder sales consultant with MOEN® Incorporated.
Please email comments and questions to her at syoung@HerHome.com |
|
