Upgrades to your home help you deepen the appreciation you have for your living space. With advances in technology, home upgrades can also help save the environment while saving you money over time. But which bathroom fixtures and features are worth your investment?
Read on for five eco-friendly, money-saving bathroom remodeling trends that designers and homeowners alike are increasingly incorporating in Wisconsin homes.
1. Low-Flow Toilets
When it comes to your toilet, you may not give the water used in each flush a second thought. If you have considered it, then you may think you have no control over the amount of water used to flush waste down the drain. But that’s not entirely true. Not when you have a low-flow toilet, anyway.
Replacing your traditional toilet with a low-flow version will save both water and money each time you flush. These toilets use just 1.6 gallons of water per flush (or less!) compared to the four to seven gallons traditional toilets use.
On average, homeowners who swap out a traditional toilet for a low-flow version save about 13,000 gallons of water per year. That equates to a savings of approximately $150 annually and about $2,900 over the toilet’s lifetime.
2. Hands-Free Faucet
Another must-have in your bathroom are hands-free faucets. These motion-activated faucets are more than just attractive new faucets in your upgraded bathrooms. Hands-free faucets work to save you money as well.
Once activated, these faucets only allow a certain amount of water to flow. By incorporating a hands-free faucet, you can prevent family members from brushing their teeth with the water on, which wastes tons of water each year.
A hands-free faucet also helps prevent the spread of germs. With fewer hands on the faucet, no one has to worry about cross-contamination.
3. Smart Showers
Water conservation is a great way to go green in your shower as well. New smart showers are a popular choice for homeowners who want to go the extra mile to preserve the environment. With smart showerheads, you get a sleek look in your shower while conserving water.
These showerheads are outfitted with technology that informs people in the shower how much water they are using each time they shower. Armed with that information, they can choose to can reduce their shower time to save the household money.
4. Bidets
Are you tired of buying so much toilet paper? Do you feel like you’re just flushing dollars down the drain with each wipe? Then it may be time to consider getting yourself a bidet.
Not only can a bidet help you cut down on your use of tree-based toilet products, but it can also help you decrease your household water usage. On average, bidets use about 1/8th of a gallon of water to both clean your bits and flush your waste per use. Traditional toilets use anywhere from four to seven gallons and require the use of toilet paper, too. And if you remember, even low-flow toilets use more than a gallon of water per flush.
Ultimately, a bidet can save you even more water and cash than any type of toilet you’re likely to find on the market.
According to bidet.org, universal bidet use in the United States would require about 37 million gallons of water per day. Universal toilet use, on the other hand, requires about eight billion gallons of water per day. That’s quite the massive difference.
5. Energy-Efficient Water Heaters
This eco-friendly upgrade might not be solely for your bathroom, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless — especially because it can help make your whole house greener. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, approximately 20% of your home’s energy use comes from your water heater (if you currently have a traditional one, that is).
Upgrading to an energy-efficient water heater, whether it’s a tank or tankless version, will not only cut down on your household energy usage but also help you save money. And, when you choose an Energy Star-certified appliance, you can claim a deduction on your federal taxes!
Looking for a Plumbing Fixture Installation Expert Near Wisconsin Rapids?
If you’re planning a green bathroom remodeling project, let our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating help you out! We specialize in bathroom fixture installation, toilet installation, and sink and shower installation and will ensure your new, greener bathroom is properly plumbed and ready to serve you well. We serve Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Marshfield, Wausau, and the surrounding areas and offer free estimates for your convenience.
To learn more or get started, give us a call today at 715-421-1800 or request an estimate online, and we’ll get in touch with additional information!