(MS) -- Ask harried homeowners planning a remodel to install water efficient plumbing fixtures in the luxury spa bath that dances in their heads, and many will balk. They may recall the dreary commodity level fixtures that introduced sustainable water use into the American consciousness.

To be welcomed into well-designed homes this holiday season, green plumbing products must make both fashion sense and water sense. Luxury plumbing manufacturer TOTO understands this. "Our driving commitment is to enhance the human experience by innovating strikingly beautiful water technologies, while passionately protecting the planet's natural resources," says Lenora Campos, TOTO spokesperson. "It is a way of thinking that results in fashion-forward fittings and fixtures that provide heightened comfort, better efficiency, and smarter solutions for our planet."

Holiday at Home:

Conserve to Preserve

Residential toilets, reports the EPA, account for one-third of the nation's indoor household water use -- more than 2.1 billion gallons of water a year -- as the average American family of four flushes more than 16 times per day. Gobbling up economic resources, the cost to deliver and treat water staggers municipal water districts, and family economies struggle with ever-rising water bills. Further, water efficiency is linked to energy efficiency; less water flushed means less energy used by treatment plants. Sustainable water use is good for the environment and a person's bottom line during the holidays and throughout the New Year.

Homes built prior to 1992, when the federal government began mandating low-flush 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) toilets, have toilets that greedily consume 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf). If the home dates back to the 1950s or earlier, it may have a water-guzzling 5.5-gpf toilet or even an H2O-gourmandizing 7-gpf model.

The EPA's new WaterSense label helps homeowners identify toilets that reduce their water consumption by 20 percent (from 1.6 gallons per flush to 1.28), effectively remove 350 grams of solid waste, and cannot be altered to consume more water after they are installed.

The only plumbing manufacturer to be honored as Water Efficiency Leader by the EPA, TOTO has one of the most comprehensive selections of luxury high-efficiency toilets available, each of which bears the WaterSense endorsement. Efficient products and informed consumers lead to smart water use -- and every drop counts.

Holiday Comfort Station

Studies reveal that over the course of the coming year, the average adult will spend 12,857 minutes (that's 214 hours or nine days) on the throne. With all that time logged on the best seat in the house, Santa and Mrs. Claus will appreciate a more luxurious experience.

The Washlet, TOTO's warm water personal cleansing system, attaches to any standard toilet. Choose from one of four models -- S300, E200, C100, and Portable -- to find the one perfect for your home.

Washlets warm the seat to a preset temperature on cold winter mornings and reduce or eliminate toilet paper waste with their warm water cleansing and warm air dry. That may not seem significant until one realizes that Americans use more than 3.2 million tons of toilet paper annually, cutting down an average of 54 million trees in the process. The production of each roll requires approximately 11/2 pounds of wood, 37 gallons of water and 1.3 kilowatts of energy, and involves hazardous chemicals such as chlorine.

For globetrotting travelers this holiday season, the Portable Washlet offers this personal cleansing technology in a compact design at the mere touch of a button. Just fill the reservoir and extend the AA battery powered wand to access two different washing modes -- regular and soft.

For more information on TOTO's High-Efficiency 1.28 gpf Toilets and Washlet personal cleansing systems, call 1-888.295.8134, Option 5, or visit www.TOTOUSA.com.