I'm trying to build an energy and water efficient house, and I'm looking for suggestions on good low-flow shower heads, toilets, and faucets. When I say "good" I mean, for example, I've heard that there are new low flow showerheads which use various technologies to give the feel of a high-flow shower. Faucets that's less of a concern, but I'm very protective of my shower experience. Also, any suggestions for attractive dual-flush (or whatever that's called) toilets, or would be great. Thanks!

It must be old if it has a 5 gal. tank. So, look with a mirror under the rim and you probably see all the holes blocked with lime. You can use a soft metal rod to poke through them and then some chemical neutralizer to widen the holes. A screwdriver can chip the porcelain. Down at the bottom of the bowl, opposite the large hole, you might see a small hole about 1/2" diameter. That also needs to be opened up and is more of a cause of your problem than the top holes. Also, is the toilet vented properly?

TWO possible causes I've personally encountered. The first fix is FREE, the second one is cheap. 1) The air columns in your arrestor tubes have been absorbed over time by the passing water, and the rapid action of your toilet's automatic fill valve is causing water hammer--not just annoying, but damaging to your pipes! You simply need to drain your pipes and let the arrestor tubes refill with air. You do this by shutting off the water to the whole house, then opening the highest faucet in the house (to let air in), then opening the lowest faucet (to drain as much water down a drain as possible), then lastly, open the very lowest point in the system, which is usually a toilet shutoff valve, or an outside/basement hose bib. (You will need a pan under the toilet shutoff valve.) When the draining is complete, close all these fixtures. Note that turning the whole-house valve back on will likely kick loose a lot of sediment. This sediment can clog sink faucet aerators, and ruin toilet fill valves... SO, turn on only BATHTUB faucets, as they are full flow, and have no restrictors or screens. Let the tub(s) run until all the spitting and spurting is over, and they're running clear and quiet. If the problem was water hammer, you should be cured, otherwise on to #2. (Your time has NOT been wasted, as you should do the whole-house drain-down annually anyway, for these very reasons--to clear sediment, and prevent water hammer.) 2) Your toilet fill valve has sand/sediment in it, or some other fault, and needs cleaned or replaced. About $0 to dissassemble and clean, or $7 to replace, ASSUMING you can do-it-yourself. Flushmaster if you want an all-in-one solution. PS: Thank you for your service to the nation, and WELCOME HOME! (My brother returns from "the 'stans" on Friday.)

Web MD: In full transparency, ( Web MD as to noise: Yes lower levels are nice, but. You will never control a barking dog next door, an ambulance.....heavy rain on the roof, and lots of other things. But if a nice quiet toilet makes you happy? Then certainly have. Don't sneeze while you are in there.: ) ______________pasted below Regular schedules and bedtime rituals play a big role in helping kids get sound sleep and function at their best. When you set and maintain good sleep habits, it helps your child fall asleep, stay asleep, and awake rested and refreshed. They can help take the stress out of bedtime, too.There are no hard-and-fast rules for bedtime, and every child is different. What's important is to build a routine that works for your family -- and to stick with it. Here are nine ways to get started. 1. Make sleep a family priority. Set regular go-to-bed and wake-up times for the entire family and be sure to follow them -- even on weekends. You can tell that children are getting enough sleep when they fall asleep within 15 to 30 minutes of going to bed, wake up easily in the morning, and don't nod off during the day. 4. Routine, routine, routine. Kids love it, they thrive on it, and it works. One study found that a consistent nighttime routine improved sleep in children who had mild to moderate sleep problems. It helps your child learn to be sleepy, just like reading in bed often puts adults to sleep. It can also make bedtime a special time. That will help your child associate the bedroom with good feelings and give them a sense of security and control. There is no single routine that's right for everyone, but in general, yours should include all the things that your child needs to do before going to sleep, including brushing teeth, washing up, putting on PJs, and having a snack or drink of water. Your child may want to read a book with you, talk about the day, or hear a story. Whatever you choose to do, keep the routine short (30 minutes or less, not including a bath) and be firm about ending it when it's time to sleep. 9. One last thing. Kids will always ask for that one last thing -- hugs, a drink of water, a trip to the bathroom, just one more book. Do your best to head off these requests by making them part of the bedtime routine. And let your child know that once they are in bed, they have to stay in bed. If they get up, don't react -- simply take them by the hand and walk them back to bed. If you argue or give in to requests, you’re giving them the extra attention -- and delayed bedtime -- they want. And don't give into the "just this one time" pitfall. If you read one more story or let them stay up longer "just this once," the bedtime routine you’ve built could come undone. Or as friend with five girls under six, ( triplets in there) wisely said: "The battle is won/lost at the cradle. Do the comfort and safety checks, close the door, and walk away. Don't go back" . Don't. "