Written by Alison Pearson / Reviewed by Ray Spotts
What many people don’t realize is that bathrooms are known as one of the worst rooms in a home for the environment. This is due to the amount of water they consume, as well as the harsh products used on a daily basis.
But since there are so many improvements these days that are focused on being greener, the choices you can make when you’re renovating are almost endless. Making a switch to eco-friendly bath products will not only save the earth, but will dramatically lower your energy and water bill, as well as increase the value of your home.
If you’re renovating your bathroom, here are some of the best things you can add to it.
Install a low flow shower head
The first upgrade you can do to your bathroom is a low flow shower head. What people don’t know is that a typical shower head uses about two gallons of water per minute. It means that a quick 10 minute shower will use up to 25 gallons of water. Adding a low flow shower head will drastically decrease the amount of water you use when showering.
But most people choose not to because they think the water pressure from the shower head will help. That is not true and the difference is barely noticeable. Such a simple change can end up saving thousands of gallons and a lot of money on your water bill.
Find an eco-expert contractor
The best thing to do when you’re renovating your bathroom is to choose a contractor who strives to be greener. Not only will that save you time and money by hiring someone who specializes in creating a room that reduces water and energy use while still being fully functional.
Be sure to meet with a couple of different people to ensure you pick the best ones in your area.
Opt for a high-efficiency toilet
Another sign that he is a big water eater is his toilet. They are responsible for more than a third of your home’s water makeup. Depending on the type of toilet you have, you are using three gallons of water per flush, or if you have an older one, you can use up to several gallons per flush.
To prevent that from happening, you can install a highly efficient model. Those use up to 1.3 gallons of water per flush. Another thing you can add to make it even greener is to add a quality bidet toilet seat. This way, you’ll not only be saving on your water bill, but you’ll also have to spend less money on things like toilet paper.
Switch to LED lighting
What many people don’t realize is that even a small change can make your home greener. So switching to LED bulbs is a great way to refresh your bathroom. If adding more windows to your bathroom is not within your budget, the best thing to do is to install more LED lighting.
Invest in a more energy efficient water heater
Another great thing you can add when renovating your bathroom is a more energy efficient water heater. Having a nice hot shower when you don’t have a good hot water heater is wreaking havoc on the environment.
What people don’t think about is the fact that a water heater is the second biggest energy user in your home, maybe even the first if you have one that isn’t working properly. Not only do they use an exorbitant amount of energy, but they also use more water than necessary. That’s why you need to look for the ones that are Energy Star certified.
Another great way to make your bathroom greener when renovating a bathroom is to install tankless or solar water heaters.
Reduce the VOCs you are using
VOCs, also known as Volatile Organic Compounds, are released into the environment by many different materials. They can be emitted by things like paint, drapes, and many other things. VOCs are harmful to the environment as they are large air pollutants.
The simplest thing you can do is choose to paint your walls with VOC-free paints and switch to bamboo shower curtains and organic products.
As you can see, renovating your bathroom in a greener way doesn’t have to cost you thousands of dollars or make sacrifices. Even a single change will make a difference to the environment and the quality of your life. Take one step at a time, and thus you will have a more ecological bathroom.
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Written by:
Alison Pearson is an interior design student. She is a writer and designer, but her greatest passion is fitness and health. She is also a bibliophile and her favorite book. It’s “The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner. follow her on Twitter.
Reviewed by:
Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has conducted a living study of nature as it relates to health and wellness. Ray became a pioneer in marketing products that are extraordinarily effective and free of potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason, Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, he enjoys fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. He can get his book for free, “How to Succeed in Business Based on God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.
Photo by Steven Ungermann on Unsplash
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