Top Eco-Friendly Bathroom Ideas
As a homeowner, you have the responsibility to ensure you contribute to the many initiatives geared towards making them environment-friendly. There are different ways you can do make your home eco-friendly. One of the facilities you can make significant to the environment is your bathroom. If you have an outdated bathroom, it might also not be suitable for the environment. Thus, you need to take time to look at the ways you can make it more environmentally friendly. Here are some of the most effective eco-friendly bathroom ideas.
Interior design
By just doing some simple updates to your bathroom interior design, you can make it more eco-friendly.
Use recycled tiles
If you have a tiled bathroom, it is easy to get the option made using recycled materials. The good thing is that they give your bathroom the same aesthetics besides being more environmentally friendly. There are tiles made from cork, bamboo, and environmental-friendly concrete. There are also some newer alternatives including the tiles designed using vegetable ivory and reclaimed wood.
Vanity sinks and cabinets
Most of the conventional vanity sinks and cabinets use pressed wood, plywood, particle board among others. However, they make use of glue that has formaldehyde that is harmful to the environment. You can install more environmental-friendly vanity and cabinets made using reclaimed material or solid wood.
Install steel bathtubs
It is now time to forget acrylic and fiberglass bathtubs. Bathtubs made of steel are more eco-friendly. Most of them come with a guarantee of more than twenty-five years. The great thing is that even after their lifespan, it is possible for them to be recycled completely.
Eco-friendly fixtures
Low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets
You must have realized that every time you flush your toilet, you waste a lot of water. With the recent developments, there are dual flush and low-flow toilets that can minimize the water wastage when you flush the toilet. These high-efficiency toilets use less water meaning that in one year, you use very little water. This does not work well for the environment but also help reduce your water bills.
This is the same case with showerheads and faucets. With the flow rates dropping significantly in recent years, upgrading will lead to reducing water use, enhanced energy efficiency and saving on your water bill.
Energy efficient heaters
Almost one-fifth of the energy used in your home results from heating water. You can remodel your bathroom to make it more eco-friendly by installing a water heater that is more energy-efficient. As you shop for your water heater, check the energy star label to confirm that it is certified as an energy efficient option. A great alternative is a heat pump water heater that uses the heat coming from the air to heat the refrigerant used to heat water. Other great options include condensing storage water heater, a tankless water heater or a solar water heater that utilizes the energy coming from the sun to heat the water. This also goes a long way in helping reduce your energy costs.