Energy-Efficient Options to Consider for Your Bathroom Remodel
Are you looking for tips on how to apply an eco-friendly upgrade to your bathroom? With a vast array of green materials and products available, you can have a bathroom remodel that’s both elegant AND environmentally friendly.
At Striking Remodels by Bell, the best company for bathroom remodels in Denver, our designers are passionate about helping clients create green spaces that don’t sacrifice luxury. We have over 70 years of experience creating fabulous, eco-friendly bathrooms.
Denver homeowners can increase their overall home efficiency by replacing their bathroom’s outdated fixtures with modern, water-wise, and energy-efficient ones.
Create Energy-Efficient Bathroom Remodels with These Ideas
Here are some green upgrades you should consider for conserving energy in the bathroom.
LED Bathroom Lighting
Today’s bathrooms need bright lighting to facilitate good personal grooming in a heavily task-oriented space. Previously, incandescent lights were used, then curly compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).
Energy-efficient LED bulbs have become the premiere bathroom lighting choice for homeowners and bathroom designers. LED bulbs combine enhanced light output with lesser energy usage and supreme longevity when compared with other bulb types.
LED bulbs usually last up to 100,000 operating hours, practically 40 times longer than incandescent light bulbs. When used in bathroom vanities, they can result in over 70% better energy efficiency. Moreover, LED bulbs are available in a host of associated color temperatures like cool, warm, and daylight that deliver greater illumination to your bathroom. Bulbs labeled as daylight, cool white, or bright white are best for the bathroom.
Increasing Natural Light
Include plenty of natural light in your bathroom remodels to decrease the need for artificial lighting in the daytime.
Install large windows or skylights to let sunlight overflow the bathroom, generating an inviting and bright setting while decreasing energy consumption. Furthermore, think about using light-colored paint and reflective surfaces to increase natural light distribution.
Solar-Powered Innovations
Use solar power energy to supplement your bathroom’s electricity needs. Install solar panels on the roof to produce renewable, clean energy that can power water heaters, lighting, and heating systems, decreasing your dependence on the grid. Also, consider installing solar-powered tube lights or skylights to bring natural light into your bathroom without using electricity.
Tankless Water Heater
Traditional water heaters continuously heat and store water, causing a waste of energy and money. Switching to a tankless water heater can save you money over time since it only heats water on demand.
Energy-Efficient Bathroom Ventilation Fan
Exhaust fans in the bathroom are vital for good bathroom ventilation. The best bathroom fans offer low noise, decreased energy usage, and powerful air movement.
Homeowners who want to upgrade their bathroom fans should look at energy-efficient ventilation fans.
They work like uncertified fans while using 70% less energy. These fans also satisfy demanding standards for low noise emission. When searching for a new fan, special consideration must be given to the size of your bathroom. Big bathrooms need ventilation fans that can transport more air.
Enhance the Insulation
Enhance the insulation in your bathroom floors, ceilings, and walls to improve energy efficiency and retain comfortable temperatures all year long. Energy-efficient insulation decreases heat loss during winter and stops heat gain in summer, lessening the workload on your HVAC unit. Consider using an eco-friendly insulation material like cellulose to better improve sustainability.
Water-Saving Faucets and Showerheads
One of life’s greatest joys is a long, hot shower. However, this luxury comes at a price.
A typical shower uses around 10 gallons of water. The water amount increases if you like standing under that steady flow of relaxing hot water. Bathroom faucets consume an average of two gallons per minute.
Decrease water usage by installing low-flow faucets and showerheads. When you use less water, less energy is used to heat the reserves. This means less work for your water heater and less electricity usage to keep it functioning at high levels. On a bigger scale, a reduction in the amount of water to be treated by the city means a reduction in the amount of energy needed to provide the service.
With a decrease in electricity and water, homeowners will see a decrease in their utility bills. This means more money in your pocket to use elsewhere in your Denver residence.
Dual-Flush Toilets
Dual-flush toilets give two flushing options: a full flush for solid waste and a reduced flush for liquid waste. This innovative design can save hundreds of gallons of water annually, making it a smart choice for environmentally conscious homeowners considering a bathroom remodel.
Faucet Aerators
Mounting a faucet aerator is a sustainable way to save water in your bathroom. These little devices fasten to the end of your faucet, mixing air with the water flow. This lessens water usage without affecting performance or pressure, making them a vital part of an energy-efficient bathroom remodel.
Smart Plumbing Solutions
Home automation is an increasingly popular way of reducing a bathroom’s environmental impact. And it is way more hygienic than showering less habitually and having a composting toilet. Some examples of current smart plumbing solutions include:
- An app-based system that uncovers leaks and shuts off the water
- A solar-powered water heater
- A self-cleaning toilet that uses less water than a standard toilet
- Timed electronic taps with sensors that regulate the consumption of water based on your previous use and needs. There are also electronic taps with touchless sensors so there is no physical contact, creating a more hygienic, safe bathroom
The number of smart plumbing options is ever-increasing, enhancing any Denver homeowner’s chance of having a green bathroom.
Eco-Friendly Cabinets, Vanities, and Countertops
Pressed wood, medium-density fiberboard, and plywood are the materials used in standard bathroom cabinets. These cabinets also use glues that have formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, which off-gasses into your air.
Build better energy-efficient cabinets and vanities using safer, sustainable materials like:
- Bamboo
- FSC certified wood
- Recycled concrete
- Formaldehyde-free wood
- Recycled wood
- Solid wood
- Recycled steel
For bathroom countertops, choose recycled materials such as paper, concrete, glass, steel, tile, or wood.
Sustainable Wall Coverings and Floors
Tile is a popular wall and floor choice for bathrooms. Many tiles contain a high amount of recycled content and there are countless aesthetic choices.
If you want something unconventional, look at cork, eco-friendly concrete, bamboo, and natural plasters. Newer flooring and wall materials include tiles made from Ivory Palm tiles and reclaimed wood. If you’re thinking of wallpaper, look for VOC-free, PVC-free, and heavy metal-free choices with recycled content.
Remember, your choice of materials will also affect how much and how often you must spend money on “fixups.” Energy-efficient materials not only reduce environmental impact but can also save you money in the long run.
It also influences how your bathroom will look. For instance, wood delivers a natural look that will last if you shield it from moisture and water. Tiles offer a contemporary look and are a safe choice.
To further enhance sustainability regarding materials, consider options for non-toxic adhesives and grouts since standard products could contain harmful chemicals. By selecting sustainable materials, your bathroom remodel becomes a comfortable and responsible project that will serve its purpose, and more, for years to come.
Use VOC-Free Finishes, Paints, and Coatings
VOCs are volatile organic compounds and are used as solvents in most standard finishes, paints, and coatings. They can make you dizzy, lightheaded, and queasy. Some VOCs have been discovered to be carcinogens, continuing to release toxic vapors long after the finish, paint, or coating has dried. Go with VOC-free options for a safer bathroom remodel.
Bamboo Accessories
Bamboo is a fast renewable resource that can be used for different bathroom accessories, including bathmats, soap dishes, or toothbrush holders. Its natural antibacterial properties make it the perfect material for spaces that collect moisture. It’s the ideal addition for an energy-efficient bathroom remodel.
Proper Waste Management
Use proper waste management practices in your bathroom by recycling. Get a recycling bin and separate glass, cardboard, and plastic bottles. Reduce your plastic usage even more with biodegradable or compostable trash bags.
Natural Cleaning Products
Exchange harsh chemical cleaners for natural cleaners made from plant-based ingredients. These green cleaning products are better for the environment and your health, decreasing the number of dangerous chemicals released into the air. Make this change as part of your overall bath remodeling project to improve your bathroom’s eco-friendliness.
Find the Right Denver Contractor for Your Bathroom Remodel
By using these tips, you can make your bathroom more energy efficient, creating a space that is safe and sustainable. An eco-friendly bathroom remodel is an extremely rewarding process, creating a space that is safe and sustainable.
From the meticulous selection of materials to the installation of water and energy-efficient fixtures, every decision contributes to a home that is both environmentally responsible and stylish.
When you’re ready to start your bathroom remodel project, our Denver contractors are here to help. Schedule a consultation today.