Looking to update your bathroom? Use some of the following eco-friendly ideas to help conserve the environment but stay stylish at the same time.
Deciding to make your bathroom more eco-friendly is an admirable choice; you’ll improve not only your ecological footprint but your own health as well. The first thing to remember is that it’s not just about the things in the bathroom; it may also be your own habits in the bathroom that may be making it not so “green.”
Whether you plan to invest in quality water softeners or other water conserving options, how you behave in the bathroom also makes a big difference.
Conserve Water
Sure, you may need to install a toilet that has a flush option for #1 and #2 or you may need to repair a leaky faucet, but all the equipment and tweaks won’t make a difference if you still take 30-minute showers, and it still won’t help if you let the water run while you brush your teeth. Conserving water by cutting back on how much you use is a simple task and the first step to an eco-friendly bathroom.
Heat Water More Efficiently
An ENERGY STAR® water heater or a tankless water heater will make a notable difference in your electricity bill, and it’ll cut back on the amount of fuel or electricity you use to heat the water, too. The most eco-friendly option is the tankless heater that only turns on when you open the hot water faucet. Also known as instant hot water, this saves a lot of energy over traditional tank water heaters.
You can also adjust the temperature of your water a few degrees lower to save energy. Do you really need to have 125-degree hot water in your shower? A few degrees won’t make much of a noticeable difference but could save you and the environment stress and financial drain.
Lighting
If you’re still relying on old-school light bulbs, you should know that you may be losing money and using far more electricity than you need. Switch from traditional light bulbs to LED bulbs as soon as you possibly can. LED lighting is more expensive upfront, but most brands have a much longer lifespan (sometimes as much as 50 years). The long lifespan and the energy savings make switching out to LED lighting worth the cost.
Recycled and Organic Items
When you shop for your eco-friendly bathroom, remember that linens often carry a heavy ecological footprint. Look for organic towels and washcloths over synthetics like polyester and fleece, but don’t get sucked in by regular cotton; conventional cotton is one of the most water-intensive crops.
Organic, sustainable cotton may be a little bit more expensive, but it is grown in a way that’s less harmful and more environmentally friendly.
One other item to consider is toilet paper; look for recycled toilet paper to preserve trees. Drain and septic friendly tissue that’s designed to break down quickly is also far better for the environment.
Heating and Cooling
Bathrooms are a difficult room to keep clean. Moisture and temperature variations can cause bacteria and mold to appear, so it’s important that you balance the need for a clean, sanitized room with your desire for an environmentally friendly space.
Installing a simple vent fan will whisk the steam outside. A small space heater lets you warm up the room for baths and showers without venting air out when the room isn’t in use. Opening a window or keeping the door open during hot weather will help keep the bathroom cool without opening the air conditioning vent.
There are several ways to make your bathroom and your home more eco-friendly. Bottle-less water coolers, special plumbing installations such as low-flow toilets and shower heads, and green cleaning products are just the tip of the iceberg. It’s up to you just how green you decide to go, but every small change makes a big difference.
Contact Hague Quality Water of Maryland to find out how we can help you achieve your goal of an eco-friendly home.
