So you want to start living the “green lifestyle” but are not sure where to start. How about the bathroom? Your bathroom is a great place to start because there are many green home improvement bathroom ideas you can choose from.
How about starting by saving water? Your bathroom is the place where the most water is wasted. Here are some home improvement ideas to make your bathroom green:
1. Low flow aerators
You can install these low flow aerators on all of your faucets and you can get one for shower heads too. These are great because what they do is add air to the water before it comes out of the tap, which in turn spreads the water over a much wider area. So you don’t need to use as much water to shower, brush your teeth, wash your face, etc. These low-flow aerators restrict the flow of water, but increase the force and pressure of the exiting water, making that less water more effective.
2. Paint your bathroom green, but it can be any color you like. Painting your bathroom will give it a cool new look, but you won’t have to spend a lot of money to do it. Also, you should buy “green” paint, which is low or volatile organic compound (VOC) free paint. These types of paint contain natural pigments that come from plant sources. Since bathrooms are generally small spaces, paint that contains noxious fumes should not be used.
3. A great way to save money and use a lot less water is to upgrade your toilet. An older model toilet uses 3-5 gallons of water for each flush. Modern toilets only use a gallon and a half of water per flush. That’s a savings of one and a half to three and a half gallons of water per flush. If you add up the number of times you flush the toilet every day, you can see where this update can save you a lot of money. You’ll recoup the cost of the new toilet in no time. If you really can’t afford to upgrade your toilet right now, you can convert your older one to a low-flow toilet by placing a weight on the tank.
To weigh, find a rust-proof water container, such as a plastic milk jug or a 2-liter plastic soda bottle. Fill the bottle with gravel or sand and put the cap on tightly. Place the bottle in the toilet tank, making sure the fin, float, flush arm, and all other tank components do not touch the bottle. The purpose of this is to displace some of the water in the toilet tank. When your tank is full, it will fill with less water.
Another thing you can do if you are not in a position to replace the toilet is to install a dual flush system on your old toilet. This gives your visitors the option of using a little water or a lot of water. You can buy and install it yourself for around $ 30.00.
4. Replace your plastic shower curtain with one made from natural fibers. Plastic shower curtains emit toxic fumes due to the nature of soft plastics. You can buy a linen or cotton shower curtain or make one yourself.
5. Another option is a tankless water system for your bathroom. Instead of drawing hot water from your water heater, the water is kept in a separate reservoir. It is not necessary to run the water until it is warm. Heats up when it hits the shower head or sink faucet. This change alone will save a lot of money, not just on water, but on your electric bill as well.
The items above are not only eco-friendly ways to make home improvements to your bathroom, but they are also ways to save money on your water and electricity bill.