A bathroom remodel is always a great investment—more so if it’s to convert your current setup into something more economical and eco-friendly. Green bathrooms are rising in popularity right now, and it’s definitely a trend worth jumping in on.
If you’re looking for some clean and green bathroom remodel ideas, check these out:
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Updated Showerheads, Faucets, Toilets
If you’ve been living in the same house for a while or your current home is older than thirty, forty years, you may want to check your bathroom—especially if you haven’t had a single bathroom remodel since moving in.
In 1994, federal laws required that common bathroom features like toilets, faucets, and showerheads be replaced with models that had been tested and proven to use less water. From then on, these economic models became the standard. This means that any bathroom fixture you have that predates 1994 isn’t as efficient as current showerheads, faucets, or toilets on the market.
If you want a greener, more eco-friendly bathroom, you should swap out your toilets, faucets, and showerheads for more current and economical fixtures. You’re sure to notice the savings right away!
Dual-Flush Toilets
As the name suggests, these toilets feature a dual flushing valve. There are two buttons on the tank; one button releases about half a gallon of water. The other releases a more forceful flush and about 1.2 to 1.6 gallons of water. And as odd as this eco-friendly system may seem, it definitely works.
Here’s why:
Modern regular toilets can use more than three gallons of water with each flush. In a family of four people, that’s at least 12 gallons a day.
With a dual-flush toilet, homeowners can at least regulate the water used for flushing based on their specific needs. What’s more, even the highest setting only uses half of what a regular toilet would use. Trust us; you’ll notice a drastic decrease in water usage in just a matter of months.
Recycled Flooring
If you’re working with a bathroom remodel contractor to make your current situation a little more eco-friendly, be sure to ask them about recycled flooring options.
As it seems everyone’s obsessed with going green (which is definitely not a bad thing), manufacturers have stepped up their game to meet demand. There are now at least half a dozen tiles made of recycled material available on the market; eco-friendly concrete, cork, bamboo, eco-friendly vinyl … you name it. There are even tiles made of vegetable ivory and reclaimed wood.
And if you’re worried about the price, don’t be. With enough research and price comparisons, you’re sure to find an option that suits your style and your budget.
Energy-Efficient Water Heaters
Some other great and eco-friendly bathroom remodel ideas include energy-efficient water heaters like tankless water heaters or heat pump water heaters. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nearly one-fifth of the average American household’s energy usage is due to heating water.
Tankless water heaters in particular are quite a hot option right now, as they save both water and space. They heat your water as you use it rather than unnecessarily heating up a whole tank or gallon. The lack of a tank also means they’re quite condensed and therefore can take up marginally less space than a normal unit.
A condensing storage water heater is another great green option for your bathroom, as it’s been proven to use less energy to heat up water. A heat pump water heater—as mentioned earlier—heats up the refrigerant that heats up the water using the surrounding heat, making it another eco-friendly (and utility-budget-friendly) option for you.
Other than these four important elements, there are at least a dozen other steps you can take to make a more eco-friendly bathroom. Any professional bathroom remodeler worth their salt will certainly have more suggestions for your bathroom remodel. If you’re stumped for ideas, you can always ask them for their expert opinion as well.
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