Going Green In Your Bathroom: 3 Eco-Friendly Tips For Your New Bathroom

Home ownership can be challenging due to the various tasks that are necessary to keep your house appealing and functional. From cleaning the exterior siding and maintaining your roofing system to replacing broken plumbing fixtures, it is easy to see the overwhelming nature of home maintenance. Certain updates not only improve your home's function and appeal, but also increase your home's value by going green to conserve energy, water, and materials. A bathroom remodel can offer a 62 percent return on your investment, but incorporating eco-friendly, energy-efficient options into your project will add even more value to your space. Using this guide, you can go green during your bathroom remodel.

Recycled Materials

Tile is a durable option for your bathroom floors and the surrounding surfaces of your tub and shower. If you need to replace the tile in your bathroom, go green by choosing a recycled-content tile.

Made from recycled glass or wastes from different factories or mines, recycled-content tile is available in a variety of colors to suit your decorating style. In addition, the tiles can be glazed for an added layer of protection, reducing the risk of scratches and other damage that may require a complete replacement.

To maximize your efforts to be eco-friendly, choose a bathroom tile that is manufactured using 100 percent recycled glass.  

Energy Conservation

Replacing outdated light fixtures during your bathroom remodel is also wise to improve the appeal of the space and to increase your overall level of lighting. Thankfully, installing LED fixtures and bulbs will add a modern appeal to your space while conserving energy.

Make sure there is sufficient lighting over your vanity and mirror, since this is where you do a large portion of your grooming. Lighting over your tub and shower is also necessary. In most cases, this will be enough lighting for your bathroom.

Choose LED light fixtures and bulbs, which offer a brighter light that uses less energy when compared to traditional incandescent versions. You can also reduce your energy use by installing dimmer switches in your bathroom. Dimming the lights by only 25 percent will offer you a 25-percent energy savings.

Your water heater is essential for providing hot water to take showers and baths, do laundry, and wash dishes. During your remodel, consider installing a tankless water heater to conserve energy in your bathroom and the rest of your home.

Tankless water heaters heat water only when necessary, as opposed to traditional models that continuously use energy for a constant supply of hot water.

Water Conservation

Using the toilet, brushing teeth, shaving, and taking a shower or bath can all use a great deal of water. While surprising for many homeowners to learn, you may be using more water than necessary when completing these tasks. To go green in your bathroom, consider installing these water-conserving fixtures during your remodel:

  • Low-Flow Faucets and Showerheads – Installing WaterSense faucets and showerheads in your bathroom reduce water flow, which will also decrease your monthly water bill. Replacing your old faucets and showerheads with these efficient models can save your family up to 700 gallons of water per year.
  • Low-Flow Toilets – You may not think replacing your toilet during the remodel is necessary, but a new low-flow toilet is a great option for conserving water.  Older toilets use an estimated 7 gallons of water during each flush, so invest in a low-flow model that can use as little as 1.1 gallons of water to flush down waste.

A bathroom remodel is a great way to increase appeal and function in your home, but it can also help you live an eco-friendly, energy-efficient lifestyle. With these tips, you can easily go green during your bathroom remodel. For more tips, check out a company like Bath Planet Inc.

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