Save Water with an Eco-Friendly Bathroom
Eco-friendly means that the product used will not have a negative impact on the earth and other living things, as well as, renewable and recyclable. Not only does this include during the manufacturing and developing of the products, but also the end-user and disposal.
Water is the most wasted resource in the bathroom. By using bathroom fixtures that reduce water flow, will not only save water but help on the electric or gas bill also because it will reduce the amount of hot water needed for showers.
Reducing your monthly utility bills by saving energy and water plus, being environmentally responsible it the best of both worlds. Here are some tips to help accomplish those goals.
Showerheads
When shopping for a new showerhead, you will notice that they are measured by flow rate, also known as, gallons-per-minute (GPM). Water pressure controls the water flow. The greater the pressure-the greater the volume of water being forced through the pipes and out the shower head.
Not so long ago, shower heads delivered a whopping 5 to 8 GPM. Today the max flow rate of a shower head is 2.5 GPM. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognises WaterSense Showerhead that only use 2 GPM. There is good news about the newer low-flow shower heads is that they are not only save precious water, but they are decorative.
The shower head is only one part of saving water while showering. Another factor is the time in the shower. Let’s compare the old 8 GPM shower head with the 2.5 GPM and 2 GPM low flow shower heads for one 10 minute shower everyday for one year.
8 GPM × 10 minutes = 80 Gallons per Shower × 365 Days Per Year = 29,200 Gallons Per Person
2.5 GPM × 10 minutes = 25 Gallons per Shower × 365 Days Per Year = 9,125 Gallons Per Person
2 GPM × 10 minutes = 20 Gallons per Shower × 365 Days Per Year = 7,300 Gallons Per Person
As you can tell, shorter showers and low flow shower heads definitely save money and water.
Sinks
Allowing the bathroom faucet to stay on while shaving or brushing your teeth is allowing money to go down the drain, literally! A tip to stop this is installing a motion-sensing faucet. A motion-sensing faucet only allows the water to run as needed, thus, eliminating wasted water.
Low-Flow Toilets
If your toilet is older than 1994, it may waste a huge amount of water with each flush because toilets manufactured before then took up to six gallons of water per flush. In 1994, with the realisation to conserve water, the government adopted regulations and today’s toilets use 1.28 gallons max per flush.
Toilets have also benefited from the advancement in technology. Now they work better with less water and allow two different flushing options so you only use the amount of water needed per flush.
If you plan to upgrade your toilet to one that is more efficient, you may want to consider calling a local plumber or plumbing engineer.
Conclusion
Just by making a few small changes in your bathroom, you can save big. Plus, be environmentally responsible.
Authors’ Bio
Michael Tobias PE is a visionary in the construction industry. His passion resonates as the Founding Principal of New York Engineers, an Inc 5000 fastest growing company. New York Engineers is the most innovative construction engineering firm focusing on Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing or MEP engineering designs in Chicago and New York. Michael has overseen the design of over 1000 construction projects in all market sectors, including LEED certified and Passive House certified projects. He leads a global team of 50 top performers.
