If you’re building a new bathroom, or simply remodeling your old one, it is a great opportunity to go green and save some money in the long run. Plus, you’d be preserving the nature as well, and in this day and age, that is more important than ever before. So, if you’d like to know how you can build an energy-efficient bathroom, here are a couple of suggestions that might help you.

 

Insulation

The bathroom is probably the room where we are most susceptible to cold. This is why you should make sure it is well insulated, so it doesn’t need much heating. Therefore, use quality bathroom mats for the floor, insulate your water pipes, and make sure the room itself is well insulated.

 

Speaking of insulation, your water tank should be insulated as well in order for the heated water to stay hot for longer. A good idea would be to install an insulating jacket, which can lower the cost of water heating by 4%-9%.

 

 

Heating

Insulation is extremely important, but you should also think about the heating options. For example, radiant floor heating may be a bit costly, but it would save you money over time. Instead of pumping hot air into the room, it works by heating the floor through a series of coils. This way, the floor gets warm quickly, and the heat from the floor heats up the entire room. This also means that you’d never have to worry about stepping on a cold floor after a shower.

 

Water-saving fixtures

Research has shown that showers account for about 17% of the water used in a home, which is why you should opt for water-saving showerheads, which can reduce that amount. This is especially important if you don’t live alone, since the greater the number of people taking a shower, the more noticeable the amount of water saved will be.

 

Besides the showerhead, you can also save water on your faucet by installing aerators. As for your toilets, consider installing dual-flush toilets that allow you to choose between releasing more water and less, depending on what you want to flush.

 

Even the shape of your bath can save you water. Some quality baths are shaped in a way that allows you to use less water while filling them but still have enough to enjoy a nice soak.

 

 

Materials

Most people don’t really pay attention to the environmental impact of the materials they use in the bathroom as long as it looks good. However, there’s no reason it can’t both look good and be green. For instance, natural stone and ceramic tiles are durable and low maintenance. Also, instead of using vinyl flooring, you can opt for natural linoleum, which is more sustainable. Moreover, if you want to carpet the area, consider getting a carpet that is made of recycled plastics – it is more stain resistant than the typical nylon carpets, and the price is the same.

 

Lighting options

When it comes to lighting, you should allow as much natural light as you can – while still maintaining your privacy, of course. Moreover, you should change your usual lighting bulbs with the LED ones. They might cost a bit more initially, but they last longer, and they use much less energy. This means that they would definitely pay off in the long run regardless of what type of lighting fixtures you choose for your bathroom.

 

 

Ventilation

You don’t want your bathroom to smell, and you can’t keep the windows open all the time, which is why you should make sure to install quality ventilation. Bad ventilation could also lead to all kinds of harmful mold and bacteria that could ruin not just your bathroom but your health as well. So, buy a quality exhaust fan – perhaps one with a humidity-sensing switch, so you don’t have to worry about turning it off.

 

It might also be a good idea to introduce some nature into your bathroom. There are many plants that thrive in humid environments, and they are great air purifiers. Plus, they would make your bathroom much more visually appealing, so you can enjoy every moment spent in the room.

 

Designing a bathroom can be challenging, especially if you want to make it eco-friendly too. Fortunately, there are many ways of making it green, as long as you’re willing to invest a bit more in your bathroom. Therefore, insulate your bathroom well, and choose LED lights in order to save more energy. To waste less water, get water-saving fixtures, and don’t forget to ventilate it properly. This way, you will not only reduce your bills but also help preserve the environment.

Guest post by Cooper Klein

 

 

About the Author

Cooper Klein is a cool dad in touch with his feminine side. He’s currently working from home as a blogger for several online magazines. You can find him on Twitter.

 

 

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