Hot product: Faucet foot pedal

Home Channel News, Nov 9, 1998

Saves water, fights bacteria, helps the disabled

Pedal Valves, a five-year-old company based in Luling, La., introduced the patented Pedal-works foot pedal in the New Orleans area in 1994, but only now is marketing the product on a national level.

The product is a hands-free faucet control foot pedal that attaches to any installed faucet, allowing users to turn the water on even when hands are full or messy. It also prevents water from running continuously when washing dishes, shaving or brushing teeth. A toe latch pops out when the pedal is used, and can be pushed in for continuous water flow or to revert back to regular hand control.

Pedal Valves claims that studies conducted by the company indicate that in a four-ember household, use of the product in the kitchen alone can save up to 7.500 gallons of water annually, as well as conserve the energy needed to heat those gallons. Furthermore, Pedalworks also guards against the transfer of bacteria between faucet fixtures and hands.

"Faucet handles have been identified as the cross-contamination area for bacteria like E. coli and salmonella,' said Linda Jennings, who heads public relations for Pedal Valves. "That's a huge selling point for Pedalworks." Brochures for the product quote the American Society of Microbiology's findings that "9,000 deaths and 81 million illnesses from foodborne bacteria have occurred since 1992 owing to improper hand washing."

Peter Gilbert, president of Pedal Valves, said that although the product has many commercial applications -- a number of restaurants, hospitals and hotels across the country now use it -- Pedalworks is also ideal for residential use. Currently, Pedalworks is only available through kitchen and bath showrooms and specialty dealers. But the company is targeting home centers as its next distribution channel, although its $450 suggested retail price could be a challenge to market.

Aside from its advantages in water and energy conservation, convenience and hygiene, Pedalworks could prove advantageous for homeowners with arthritis or other various disabilities. Homeowners who are finicky about keeping polished brass or chrome fixtures shiny may also appreciate the product, as it reduces the need to touch the fixtures. The only time users would need the hand controls is to adjust the water temperature.

Pedalworks connects to the hoses under the sink and fits in the 'toe space' at the cabinet's base. The product is available in three finishes: aluminum; polished brass; or chrome. The pedal itself is available in the following six Conan solid-surface colors: sapphire; glacier white; black pearl; jade; bone; in addition to aurora. Pedalworks, which is manufactured in the United States, is sold with a three-year warranty.