4 Ways To Save Energy In The Bathroom
When considering saving energy at home, you’ll most likely feel your collection of electricity-hungry appliances in your kitchen or the living room. Yes, looking into those components can surely make a difference. However, if your goal is to reduce energy consumption in your household, you shouldn’t forget other rooms and areas that can still use a little tweaking here and there.
Saving energy in the bathroom isn’t something most homeowners would consider right away. But did you know that the water you use at home plays a part in your energy bills and carbon emissions? Professional bathroom companies know this, and working with one can educate you more on the subject. They can recommend renovation ideas that allow you to incorporate energy efficiency in the bathroom.
Energy-saving tips in the bathroom
Whether you’re about to remodel your bathroom, buy a new house, or just strategising your energy-saving hacks at home, here are some tips that can help you out:
Turn to energy-efficient lighting
Is it time yet to replace your bathroom light bulbs? If so, look for options such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that are more energy efficient than fluorescent and halogen bulbs. And don’t forget to replace your vanity bulbs, too.
LEDs use about 75% less energy and can last 5-10x longer than other light bulb options. As a result, your household can reduce replacement costs and contribute to fewer light bulbs being dumped in landfills. Although the upfront cost may be higher, payback time should take less than a year.
In addition, energy-efficient lighting produces less heat than fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, making the room cosier and more comfortable. Another tip is to always turn the lights off after using the bathroom. Remind every family member to do the same, so you’re all on the same page.
Mind your small appliances
Although there won’t be any refrigerator or television inside your bathroom, there are still a few small appliances and electronics that you can be more mindful of to save energy. Electric razors, toothbrushes, straighteners, and hair dryers are often left unplugged, affecting your rising electricity bills. Some models can still consume electricity even when not used, so it’s better to err on caution and just unplug everything.
Check these appliances and electronics in the morning before leaving the house so you can unplug everything. Better yet, consider air-drying your hair so you won’t have to use the blower when prepping up in the morning. If you have an electric air freshener, look into switching to a natural one that doesn’t require energy to function.
Install bathroom fixtures with high efficiency
One of the best ways to save energy in the bathroom is to switch to bathroom fixtures with high efficiency that don’t require much energy to function. An example of this is your shower head. Low-flow shower heads can reduce water usage, and when you’re using an efficient one, you’re also lessening the amount of water you use in every shower. Of course, less water consumption means less energy needed for heating it.
Quick showers are also another alternative to save energy in the bathroom. While it’s tempting to stay in the shower for 30 minutes or longer, think of how much power you can consume while in there, knowing that you’re probably using the water heater, too.
The same concept goes for high-efficiency faucets and toilets in your bathroom. Don’t leave the tap water running, especially when brushing your teeth. Use cold water when you can, and install aerators to keep the water flowing low without losing the correct pressure.
Turn on exhaust fans only when using the bathroom
It can be easy to forget to turn off the exhaust fans after using the bathroom. If this sounds like you, you might want to exert more effort so you’ll remember to do it next time. While exhaust fans are necessary for bathrooms, they don’t need to run 24/7.
You can add a timer to the fan if you’re not confident you’ll remember the task before leaving the bathroom. On average, exhaust fans only need 15-20 minutes to do their job (which is to remove humidity in the air,) and when that’s over, the timer can take care of turning it off to save energy.
Final words
Often, the simple habits you can alter can make all the difference in saving energy in the bathroom. If you’re serious about achieving this goal, consider the tips above when building a new bathroom or renovating your current one. Even when there’s no major plan to remodel, you can think of a few hacks that can go a long way in saving energy and contributing to the environment.
