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Home Furnishings, Product Spotlight:

Step On It!

Contributed By: Caitlin Bristol

Move aside hands-free cell phones, there’s a new kid in town - the hands-free faucet controller, otherwise known as the foot pedal. Of all the eco-features that abound in Zem’s house, the one that her family is most excited about is the foot pedal that puts the power of water control in the palm of your pedi (click here to see Zem talk about the foot pedal and many other eco tips).

The valves are the same as the type installed in hospitals and doctors’ offices. Originally, they were attached to our sinks to reduce the risk of exposure to ecoli, salmonella and other nasty contaminants but the extra benefits have been unimaginable - from dishwashing to teeth brushing, the pedal reduces water exploits dramatically! Each pedal is under $200, very easy to install (we recommend you pony up for a plumber, though). And just think of the money you will save in water and the health benefits of not getting sick. Pedal Valves is the best, despite the fact that the site isn’t super user-friendly.

  • Donato

    Ecofavolous guys,

    hey, good job with the site, but I received the pedal faucet valve email and thought it was crazy…200 BUCKS FOR A MEDIEVAL AGE PEDAL!? HA! AUTOMATE BABY, especially if you are willing to “pony up” for a plumber…. ha… use a motion activated faucet (like in public bathrooms, airports, etc)

    here is a Brita stile water valve ($58)

    http://www.ezfaucet.com/share/cgi-bin/site.cgi?site_id=ezfaucet&page_id=home

    here is the real deal (these are under $200) a nice kohler one is like $500

    http://www.automaticfaucets.com/products/FA444-12.htm

  • http://www.green-talk.com Anna Hackman

    When I built my house a couple years ago, I was going to install one of these foot pedals too. I was worried about ecoli, etc. too. I decided against it because the sales person who I worked with had alot of bath and kitchen experience told me that they are tripping hazards. Have you found that to be the case?

    I also looked into the sensored water facets since I have children. They never think to turn the water off when they are brushing their teeth. My husband has these facets in his work place, and they have alot of problems with the sensors. I still think it is a good idea.

    I saw on Treehugger, the Agus, which is pretty interesting. It is an under the cabinet greywater system for your toliets. One comment on this system was that there would not be enough water for the toliet. I was wondering if any of your viewers used this product. See http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/10/watersaver_tech.php for the article.

    Also, you can install an aerator on your facets too.

    I like your site. It is easy to read. Keep up the good work. Anna Hackman, http://www.green-talk.com

  • http://www.risingerhomes.com Matt Risinger

    That’s a great idea. I like that the pedal would be more precise than the motion activated sensors which can bug me if there is any delay. -Matt Risinger

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