This morning I read an article about how the rebate funds are drying up in Southern California.  This of course is due to the runaway success of these programs in the first place. You can read the article here, millions are being given out…. $165 for toilets…$135 for washer…even $.30/foot for turf.  Let’s look at the  $165 rebate that’s being given for the purchase of water saving toilets….it’s a good deal, right? When you consider the fact that dual-flush toilets can cost as high as $400 plus installation (depending on the brand/type)…the homeowner is still paying out significant cash just to participate good water conservation.

The Benefits Stack Up

So… if a rebate were handed out that was in the neighborhood of $20-$30 for a dual-flush conversion kit (like the One2flush)… then….

Benefit #1: The homeowner can convert their existing toilet to a dual-flush operation for a fraction of the cost of buying a new dual-flush toilet…
Benefit #2: The homeowner would realize a HUGE amount of water savings with dual-flush technology….payback on the investment is extremely fast considering the low cost up front with something like the One2flush.
Benefit #3: The water agency wins…. they literally get more bang for the rebate buck handed out… barriers to entry are reduced and everyone can participate!!
Benefit #4: The planet wins since we end up saving even more of our most precious commodity…water!

Self-Responsibility

What about the other type of rebate program?  The type that the homeowner can fund, administer (and benefit from) all by themselves without standing in a “rebate pre-approval-soup-line” (see article above).  I’m talking about adopting a water conservation mindset and doing what’s right without a rebate from the water agency in the first place. (Note: If a rebate is offered in your community, take advantage of it obviously!).

Do-It-Yourself

Installing a dual-flush conversion kit on your toilet is easily accomplished in less than 30 minutes (see video here of yours truly)….the thing costs $39.95…and the water savings will drive your bill down.  But there’s more.. what happens when you buy a new toilet? Let’s add to our benefits list…

Benefit #5: Installing a dual-flush conversion kit on your toilet eliminates foreign porcelain from flooding into the U.S. in the form of new toilets, thereby reducing the amount of older (American made) toilets hitting our landfills!  That’s right, all those toilets have to go somewhere right.  For a photo of a toilets in a landfill, click here.  Maybe this is a form of of “toilet-terrorism” ?

Benefit #6:  Made In The U.S.A. means something right now.  The One2flush is 100% made and manufactured in Michigan by Americans.  Do you really want to fund supply of foreign-made porcelain into the U.S. right now?  Ever?

Rebates are nice and we Americans are used to being paid to do things.  Adopting the right mindset in the first place can foster some clear thinking about the right thing to do.