Meanwhile, drought conditions in parts of the U.S. are driving up sales of water-efficient toilets, faucets, laundry machines, dishwashers, and other appliances. Home Depot and Sears are among the companies benefiting from consumers’ itch to shift away from water guzzlers. Sears spokesperson Larry Costello said water- and energy-efficient appliances now represent 17 percent of the company’s appliance sales, compared to 10 percent a year ago. Shoppers appear to be motivated by new drought restrictions like those in New Jersey, where residents can be fined up to $5,000 per day for violating water-use limits.
