Building the Perfect Eco-Friendly Bathroom

ShowersWe've talked about these before, but it bears
You use it every day, so shouldn't you make yourrepeating: Tankless water heaters save you water
shower as efficient as possible? Hansgrohe, one of(and money) by heating water only when you need
the true global leaders in residential and commercialit while never running out of it. As long as there's a
plumbing fixtures, features its EcoAIR handshowercontinual flow of water, a tankless water heater will
and showerhead. Using something called AIR-injectionalways heat it.
technology, these fixtures make their flow rate ofBosch and Stiebel Eltron are two of the most trusted
just 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm) feel like 2.5 gpm.names in the industry. Just imagine instant warm
Toiletswater when you're washing your face at the sink
The average household flushes each toilet five timesand your Hansgrohe shower never running out of hot
a day. At an average rate of 3.5 gallons per flushwater.
(gpf), that's 17.5 gallons of precious water. SwappingLighting
out your older money pit with a new eco-friendlyWhen you think about your bathroom, don't forget
fixture that uses just 1.28 gpf saves over 11 gallonsabout the lighting. Imagine going through your
EVERY DAY.morning and nightly routines without it. Not pretty.
American Standard and Kohler both offer a dual flushENERGY STAR-rated lighting fixtures help you save
option on many of its toilets. American Standard hasmoney and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
a full complement of toilets that use just 1.28 gpf,meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the
and Kohler's fixtures give you the option of 1.4 or 1.6U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S.
gpf-certainly either one is a fine option.Department of Energy.
Lavatory FaucetsSeaGull Lighting and Progress Lighting are just two
Whether you leave the water on while you brushexamples of manufacturers that are committed to
your teeth or not (really, do people STILL do this?),providing energy-efficient bathroom lighting.
your bathroom faucet is another ideal place to beginSo there you have it. It's simple to create your
conserving water. Moen and Elements of Designdream bathroom and make it an eco-friendly oasis at
feature dozens of eco-friendly lavatory faucets withthe same time. It just takes a little planning, some
flow rates right around 2.0 gpm.research and the desire to help make a difference.
Tankless Water Heaters