Cost Tip

Consider using information provided by systems submetering to shave energy use during peak demand hours when utilities charge higher rates.

Haulers can avoid the rising price of tipping fees by diverting material away from landfills.

Where there is a market for reused and recycled materials, haulers can sell diverted material for a small profit.  

Careful deconstruction practices that keep waste materials intact can be more expensive as the deconstruction efforts can take longer.

Apply for any water-reduction incentives and rebates available through local municipal water authorities or utilities.

Toilet-lid-sink retrofits for standard toilets are one of the most basic and easy graywater reuse tools available, costing around $100.

Many commercial toilets can be retrofitted with dual-flush flushometers, which can cost less than installing new dual-flush toilets. Check with manufacturers for retrofit compatibility. 

Flow restrictors and aerators can cost only a few dollars per fixture and can help add efficiency to more conventional sink fixtures. This can also be an easy inexpensive way to retrofit existing faucets; however, make sure restrictors or aerators are compatible with faucet fixtures.

Piping to interior water fixtures is doubled when graywater or rainwater is reused in addition to potable water. This is likely to add upfront costs, but can potentially reduce water and sewer charges.

Check for local incentives through municipalities and utilities that reward or encourage water-saving strategies—as well as restrictions that may apply. Rebates are common, as are plumbing codes restricting certain water-savings technologies such as waterless urinals, graywater