The first opportunity to save in the bathroom is Saving Water.
Low Flow Faucets- A typical faucet can out flow more than five gallons a minute, but since you probably don’t need five gallons of water to brush your teeth, consider using a faucet that uses half or a quarter of that. A $2-10 aerator will cut back on your water usage. Some utility companies offer them for free. Using low-flow faucets and shower heads can cut your home’s water use by 50%.
Water Efficient Shower Heads- Typically a shower head pumps out 8 gallons of water per minute. Low- Flow shower heads can cut that in half with you barely noticing the difference. An aerating shower head mixes air into the water while keeping up the pressure, A non- aerating shower head provides a massaging shower head effect. Aerating models cost $5-10 and non-aerating $10-50. You may cut your water usage up to 50%.
Glass and ceramic Floor Tiles- Durable and easy to clean glass and ceramic tiles are a good replacement for old linoleum and vinyl flooring. They typically have a longer life span than linoleum and vinyl and you can purchase them with a significant recycled content.
Non-toxic Grout Sealer and Caulk- Try to use unsanded grout which is difficult for mold to cling to and will ensure better air quality. A grout sealer will increase the grout’s lifespan and make it easier to clean.
Venting- Proper venting can help prevent toxic mold and mildew & will allow you to keep your green upgrades for many years
Instantaneous Tankless Water Heaters- Unlike traditional methods that keep up to 80 gallons of hot water ready at all times, instantaneous water heaters produce it only when its needed, reducing the cost of heat leakage from the tank. Initial cost $300-1500 with savings up to $150 per year.
Duel Flush Toilets- A typical toilet uses nearly three gallons of water a flush. A low flow toilet uses about half of that. A duel flush toilet can use even less than a low flow toilet.. With two buttons- one for liquid waste (0.8 gallons) and one for solid (1.6 gallons) a duel flush toilet can further reduce water usage. $200-600 upfront, with a savings of up to 10,000 gallons per year.
