Ideas for Green Bathroom Remodeling
There are many things you can do to create a green bathroom design that beautifies your home. Many sustainable bathroom products are now available and these products save you money and precious water and energy resources. Following smart and budget-friendly ideas begins your green bathroom makeover.
Bathrooms use over 27% of all household water. Here are three ways you can decrease your demand while you conserve water.
- Install water saving fixtures such as low-flow faucets and showerheads.
- Repair all leaks as soon as possible; this can save you up to 300 gallons of water everyday.
- Set up a waste water system called a grey water tank, to collect shower and sink water that can be used to water your plants and lawn.
Water heating bills can be very expensive, almost 12% of your energy bill. Thankfully, there are ways you can lower your energy bill and still take a hot shower, do your dishes and even wash your laundry in hot water.
- Install a solar powered water heater. An evacuated tube water heater is easy to maintain, lasts just as long as conventional tank water heaters and many companies completely install the unit and the solar panel if you purchase the unit through their service.
- Set up a new innovative way to help heat your water, using a waste water recovery system. This uses the warm drain water to preheat your shower water, without the two systems ever mixing the waste water with the fresh water.
Some ideas to let in more natural light decreases your electric bill and allows you the privacy you need in your new green bathroom.
- Replace your conventional bathroom window with decorative glass block. This is easy to clean, environmentally safe and can reduce bathroom mold around window sills.
- Avoid PVC vinyl shower curtains and consider installing glass shower doors to let the light in; plus glass doors are simple to clean which deters mold and mildew.
Bathrooms are often damp and prone to mold and mildew. There are several ways to decrease this problem and increase ventilation.
- Ensure a constant flow of fresh air intake with the installation of a heat recovery ventilator.
- Install eco-friendly materials that inhibit bacterial and mold growth such as cedar, ceramic tile or glass. Try to avoid some types of granite called “pore-less” because some of these materials can be radioactive.
- Increase the airflow in your bathroom by installing a low power consumption fan unit.