Are you considering a bathroom remodel? You’re not alone! Each year, homeowners remodel about 14.2 million bathrooms across the United States.
An increasing number of Americans are undergoing bathroom construction to be more environmentally friendly. Eco-friendly bathrooms are not only better for the planet but also save homeowners money in lower energy and electricity bills.
Going green in your bathroom is simple. Let’s explore our top five ways to create an eco-friendly bathroom design.
1. Eco-Friendly Lighting to Save Energy
When it comes to eco-friendly lighting for bathrooms, the more natural, the better.
Instead of adding energy-sucking light bulbs to your vanity, incorporate natural lighting. Add windows, skylights, and sun tunnels wherever possible. The windows allow for plenty of natural light during the day and create a more energy-efficient bathroom.
Of course, your bathroom is going to need some artificial lighting. When choosing what types of bulbs to install, stick with LED lighting. LED bulbs are just as effective as incandescent ones, but they are much more environmentally friendly.
Experts report that LED lights:
- Are up to 80% more efficient than any other light bulb
- Do not contain toxic chemicals, like mercury
- Reduce light pollution
- Last longer than incandescent bulbs
That being said, not only are LED lights better for the environment, but they’re also better for your bank. Incorporating LED lights into your bathroom is an easy way to help the environment and shave a few bucks off your utility bill. Talk about a win-win.
2. Low-Flow Appliances for Improved Efficiency
Your eco-friendly bathroom design should include low-flow appliances. Installing a low-flow toilet and showerhead enables you to save water and energy.
Low-Flow Shower Heads
The average American shower lasts eight minutes and uses 17 gallons of water.
Sure, you can tell yourself you’re going to take shorter showers, but are you actually?
Low-flow showerheads allow you to take your time in the shower, while still reducing the amount of water used. While normal showers use between five and eight gallons of water per minute, low-flow heads only consume 2.5 gallons.
In addition to saving water, low-flow showerheads also reduce the amount of energy your shower consumes. Since there is less water to keep hot, the low-flow heads don’t require as much electricity to keep the shower hot. This is great news for Mother Earth as well as your monthly electric bill.
Low-Flow Toilets
Your toilet consumes the most water in your home. In fact, every time you flush a toilet, you use 38% of your home’s water.
That being said, low-flow toilets are an essential eco-friendly bathroom feature.
The good news is if your home was built after 1992, your toilets should already be low-flow. That was the year the US government required all new toilets to consume less than 1.6 gallons of water per flush.
If you live in an older home that still relies on regular-flow toilets, make replacing them a priority. Installing low-flow toilets throughout your house can lead to a 50% reduction in water usage. In addition to helping the environment, low-flow toilets are durable, easy to maintain, and long-lasting.
3. Greenery to Reduce Air Pollution
You may not realize it, but the air inside your home contains toxins that are harmful to the health of you and the environment.
Cleaning products, nail polish, perfume, hairspray, paint, and other household items release toxins into the air that we breathe in. These toxins, known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), contribute to air pollution. VOCs cause health problems (like asthma) as well as wreak havoc on the environment.
Going green (literally) in your bathroom can eliminate harmful toxins from the air. Certain houseplants remove VOCs like formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and nitrogen dioxide from the air to naturally reduce air pollution.
Some of the best plants to enhance indoor air quality include:
- Aloe vera
- Spider plants
- Snake plants
- Bamboo
- Peace lilies
- Dracaenas
- Boston ferns
- English ivy
Many of these plants can survive with limited sunlight and are easy to care for. Placing them near a window (another reason to incorporate more natural light in your eco-friendly bathroom!) and watering them once or twice a week should keep them alive and lower indoor air pollution.
4. Motion Sensor Faucets for Less Water Waste
Replacing your faucet is a simple way to increase your bathroom’s sustainability.
Motion sensor faucets dramatically reduce the amount of water wasted in your bathroom. The sensors determine when you need water to flow from your sink. As soon as you move away, the water stops.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, motion sensor faucets also prevent the spread of germs.
They allow people to wash their hands after using the toilet without touching the faucet’s handles. Less contact leads to a lower risk of spreading viruses and diseases.
5. Natural Flooring for Eco-Friendly Bathrooms
When designing eco-friendly bathroom floors, try to incorporate natural products as much as possible. Examples of sustainable bathroom flooring options include glass tiles and linoleum.
Glass tiles can be made from recycled glass or repurposed after being used in your bathroom. Plus, they are naturally aesthetic and look great in bathrooms.
The only drawback is that glass tiles can be slippery when wet, so make sure to place bathroom rugs around your shower.
Linoleum looks similar to vinyl but is much more eco-friendly.
It’s made from natural products like linseed oil, powdered cork, and limestone. Linoleum is also biodegradable and doesn’t contain chemicals that pollute the air. It is water-resistant and easy to clean, making it an excellent bathroom flooring option.
Start Your Eco-Friendly Bathroom Remodel Today
Eco-friendly bathrooms are not complicated to design. Installing LED lights, using low-flow appliances, and adding greenery to reduce air pollution are simple ways you can make your bathroom more sustainable.
Are you looking to learn more about bathroom redesigns? If so, we’ve got you covered. Check out our article to find out how long it takes to remodel a bathroom.
When you are ready to make your bathroom more eco-friendly, contact us to get started. From toilet, faucet and sink installation to tub or shower replacement, we have a dedicated team of professional plumbers who will get the job done right.