The significance of water conservation extends beyond personal responsibility; it is imperative worldwide. As water scarcity escalates in diverse regions, embracing eco-friendly practices that save water becomes paramount.
While functionality remains a key determinant in your choice of plumbing fixtures, it’s equally crucial to prioritize fixtures that enhance the long-term energy efficiency of your bathroom. Bathrooms wield substantial influence over water and energy bills, making installing fixtures that save water and money essential.
Eco-friendly fixtures like low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilets are crucial in revolutionizing water usage and conservation. Some simple changes could enhance your bathroom and reduce water bills, from different bathroom fixtures to more eco-friendly materials and products.
Bathroom Fixtures To Save Water
The bathroom, notorious for excessive water and energy consumption, presents a prime opportunity for significant environmental improvements. Contemporary technologies offer cost-effective solutions for updating bathrooms to curb energy and save water. Whether opting for better faucets or an efficient shower, the array of choices is adaptable to various budgets and spaces. If you’re considering a bathroom renovation, opt for one of these options to help your home save water and money.
Toilet
A transition to a low-flow toilet can lead to a remarkable 60% reduction in water consumption and yield substantial long-term savings, amounting to thousands of dollars. Specifically designed to utilize only half the water of conventional toilets, low-flow, ultra-low-flow, and low-flush toilets emerge as water-efficient alternatives. Most low-flow toilets are engineered to minimize waste clogs due to more extensive drainage passages.
Two main types of low-flow toilets exist: gravity-fed and pressure-assisted. Gravity-fed toilets utilize water weight to propel waste through the bowl, offering an economical and less noisy option. On the other hand, pressure-assisted toilets use air pressure within the tank to facilitate water movement, significantly reducing water consumption compared to gravity-fed alternatives, albeit with increased noise levels.
For those seeking an even more eco-conscious choice, transitioning to a composting toilet presents an additional option to minimize water usage further.
Low, Single, Or Dual
Understanding the difference between toilet flush systems can help you choose the right fit for your home and help you save water. Low-flow toilets include gravity or pressure flush systems, as mentioned above. Single flush toilets are the standard, single lever design that most systems use and should use 1.6 gallons or less, though older toilets may be less efficient.
A noteworthy addition to high-efficiency toilets is the dual flush model. Distinguished by two buttons atop the tank, this innovative design allows users to choose between two flushing options. The first button for flushing liquids utilizes a mere 0.8 gallons of water. Conversely, the second button, intended for solid waste disposal, employs a slightly higher volume of 1.6 gallons of water. This dual flush system provides users with a practical and water-saving choice, catering to the specific needs of each flushing scenario.
Faucet
Leaving the faucet running during activities like teeth brushing or hand lathering is a common habit we all share. While altering the faucet-use habits of your loved ones may be challenging, an alternative approach is to consider installing a high-efficiency faucet. Opting for a sustainable bathroom faucet has the potential to reduce consumption significantly and save water.
A bathroom faucet adorned with the WaterSense label can save 30 percent or more than standard faucets. Including an aerator in the fixture efficiently blends air into the water at high pressure, maintaining the desired pressure without noticeable compromise and preventing unnecessary water waste.
If the main concern for the bathroom is aesthetics, there are plenty of solutions. Many sleek faucet models exist, encompassing diverse styles and price points, catering to the preferences of various homeowners.
Shower
For every shower, a significant amount of water flows down the drain without utilization. During shower idling, waiting for water to heat up, or lathering while the water runs, gallons of water are wasted.
Consider the installation of a low-flow showerhead in the bathroom, an affordable device that effectively reduces water loss. Equipped with a shut-off valve, this water-saving showerhead allows control over water flow during in-shower tasks that don’t require water. Additionally, adjustable spray nozzles afford control over water pressure, with various styles available, including hand-held, standard, and rain-shower, offering a luxurious shower experience that simultaneously saves water.
Hot Water
Many people don’t realize the amount of water used when running the shower or tub and waiting for hot water to arrive. These few seconds to minutes can waste more than expected.
Eliminating the wait for hot water in your shower or faucet addresses inconvenience and saves water. A residential recirculating hot water kit can easily be installed in your bathroom, ending those moments. This innovative solution saves you time and water, contributes to energy efficiency, and cuts utility costs.
Traditionally, the residual hot water lingering in pipes after taps are turned off cools down, transforming into the cold water that typically goes down the drain when we await hot water. The recirculating hot water system often incorporates a motion sensor, triggering the circulation pump upon turning the tap. This redirects water back to the water heater instead of the return plumbing line, significantly reducing the time required for hot water to reach your shower or faucet.
Additional Eco Tips
Numerous avenues exist to enhance environmental sustainability within the bathroom, ranging from strategies to curtail energy to transitioning towards more eco-friendly bathroom products. These simple tips can be incredibly beneficial and easy to implement.
Reusable And Refillable
Reduce daily waste by choosing reusable makeup removers, reducing the need for disposable cotton pads or balls. Avoid disposable cleansing wipes, as they contribute to non-recyclable waste. Consider reusable sanitary products for a plastic-free period.
Reduce plastic waste by finding local shops offering refills for bathroom cleaners, shampoos, and body washes. Instead of discarding spray bottles, opt for refills or make your own cleaning solutions.
Minimize
Assess your bathroom for plastic items, from cotton buds to toothbrushes. Embrace plastic-free alternatives like bamboo toothbrushes, shampoo bars, and plastic-free cotton buds. Consider swapping disposable razors for safety razors.
You can reduce clutter and excessive plastic purchases by simplifying your bathroom routine. Opt for essentials and avoid unnecessary items.
Switch to LED Light Bulbs
Extend your use of energy-efficient lighting by replacing bathroom bulbs with LED or other energy-efficient alternatives. This ensures a more sustainable choice for illuminating your bathroom space.
Lower the Temperature
Evaluate if your hot water needs to be as hot as it is. If not, consider reducing the temperature on your water heater slightly. A reduced temperature conserves energy and contributes to long-term cost savings.
Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products
Using chemicals in bathroom cleaning can be harmful and pose potential health impacts, especially considering the small and often poorly ventilated space. Choose eco-friendly bathroom cleaners that prevent toxic chemicals from going down the drain. Alternatively, explore homemade options like baking soda and vinegar for a green cleaning approach.
Eco-friendly toilet paper
Make a positive impact by opting for recycled toilet paper. If each household in America bought more recycled toilet paper, it could save upwards of hundreds of thousands of trees.
Towel Material
While cotton towels may seem natural, the cotton industry has environmental consequences. Look for towels made from organic cotton or bamboo.
Being aware of materials also applies to your shower curtain. PVC shower curtains are neither recyclable nor environmentally friendly. Opt for PVC-free plastic curtains or, even better, choose a hemp shower curtain naturally resistant to mold. Ensure your bathroom is well-ventilated to help it last longer.
Watch Out For Power Drains
While bathrooms should feature GFCI outlets (grounded fault circuit interrupters) to ensure safety by shutting off electricity in the presence of water or moisture, few consider the added benefits of upgrading to smart outlets. Smart outlets provide enhanced safety near sinks or showers and enable users to monitor energy usage. Be mindful of ‘standby power’ or ‘vampire power’ when choosing new appliances or electronics, referring to the energy consumed even when products are not in use. In their ‘off’ state, many household items continuously draw a low level of power, contributing to significant energy waste.
To address this issue, seek appliances with reduced energy consumption during standby mode. Incorporating smart outlets into your setup allows you to efficiently cut power and eliminate consumption by-products when items are not in use. Smart controls and dimmer settings offer the convenience of scheduling lights to turn off, reducing energy consumption without added hassle. These advancements in technology contribute to a more energy-efficient home environment.
Positive Renovations to Save Water
Responsible water usage is a collective goal. Through the integration of eco-friendly fixtures and the adoption of water-saving practices, everyone possesses the capacity to exert a meaningful influence on water conservation. Home renovations or building projects can incorporate many eco-friendly tools, techniques, and materials to help the process, and the results make a positive impact. This includes bathroom renovations, flooring materials, and other home improvement projects.
If you’re looking for a team of professionals to help elevate your home in an environmentally-conscious way, consider working with LA Carpet. The dedicated team of expert designers at LA Carpet is driven by a passion for crafting customized solutions to client’s unique needs. Whether you want to enhance space with new flooring or embark on a kitchen and bathroom remodel, LA Carpet has clients covered.
LA Carpet provides a complimentary in-home estimate for projects, ensuring complete price transparency throughout the design process until the final finishing touches are assembled. Reach out today to learn more about how you could transform your home.
