Basic Tips on Green Bathroom Remodeling Project
If you are planning to remodel your bathroom, consider going green. A bathroom remodeling project is one of the easiest ways to update your home in a more environmentally conscious fashion. Going green has the dual benefit of helping the environment while saving you money.
With a little guidance from an expert bathroom remodeler, your green bathroom remodeling project can be quick and easy. The expert contractors at A.B.M. Construction & Son have the knowledge and wherewithal to guide Chicagoland homeowners through their green bathroom remodeling project.
The key to any green bathroom remodeling project is to focus on the resources and materials being used. The following tips are simple guides to follow to ensure that your bathroom operates as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Starting Out with the Right Materials
The first thing to consider in a green bathroom remodeling project is the materials you will use. There are many ways in which you can help the environment through material choice. You can consider both the effect of the materials production as well as the effect of maintaining the material.
Obviously, using materials that have a high recycled content is a very green way to go. These materials are very high quality, so you won’t have to skip the style you want. However, the production of these materials can make them a little on the pricey end.
A great way to off-set the cost of recycled materials is to complement them with your own recycling efforts. Consider refurbishing your tub or sink. Hiring an expert can make this a quick and easy 100% recycled addition to your green bathroom.
The second main consideration in green bathroom design concerns the maintenance of the materials. You should select materials that do not require constant cleanings with high-potency solvents. A good example is the classic ceramic tile, which has countless styles, low toxicological impact, low maintenance, and high durability.
Lastly, other simple material choices include the transition to LED lighting and low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints or vinyl. New LED illumination is energy efficient and can last up to 20 years. Low VOC paints and vinyl improve the air quality of your home and the low toxicological impact of your green bathroom.
Focus on Water Conservation
As anyone could guess, the main environmental impact your bathroom has on the environment comes through water effluent. First and foremost in this consideration is your toilet. Nearly 27% of the standard American household’s water consumption is the direct result of the toilet.
The dual-flush toilet is a simple solution that can save an immense amount of water and save you money on your monthly utility bill. The dual-flush toilet provides the user with two flushing options: one for heavy work and one for light work. This system can save an estimated 17,000 gallons per year. Best of all, homeowners have the option of buying a new dual-flush toilet or recycling their old toilet by having a bathroom remodeler retrofit it with a dual-flush system.
The next major water waster in your current bathroom is the shower. The traditional shower actually wastes both water and energy, in the form of your daily hot bath or shower. A homeowner can easily conserve water in the remodeled shower by switching to a low-flow showerhead.
In order to save on shower energy costs, the homeowner has plenty of options:
- Add an insulation blanket to your current water heater
- Insulate accessible water pipes
- Turn down water heater temperature
- Install a condensing storage water heater
- Install a tankless water heater
Condensing storage water heaters are far more efficient than traditional tank systems. Better yet, the tankless water heater only heats water when you need it. As such, there is no energy wasted merely to keep a large tank of hot water at temperature.
This article just scratched the surface of the many ways you can go green in your bathroom remodeling project. The best way to make the right choices is to consult with a remodeling contractor. The experts at A.B.M. Construction & Son can provide Chicagoland residents and homeowners with more information. They have the knowledge and ability to help with every aspect of a green bathroom remodeling project.
