
Sustainable Spaces: The Bathroom
The bathroom is identified as a primary area for water and energy consumption within a household, with toilets accounting for approximately 24% of water usage and showers for another 20%. This makes it an ideal starting point for homeowners interested in adopting sustainable practices to reduce resource consumption and enhance living spaces. Sheryl McLean, president and creative director of McLean and Tircuit, emphasizes the bathroom's potential for sustainable upgrades, citing advancements in energy-saving technology that make these changes both achievable and economical.
Sustainable bathroom design offers several key benefits. Firstly, it leads to reduced water and energy costs for homeowners. Secondly, it appeals to the growing segment of sustainability-minded buyers, increasing a home's market value. Lastly, green bathrooms contribute to a healthier living environment for residents. This article outlines five features that can transform a conventional bathroom into a sustainable one, offering practical advice for real estate professionals and homeowners alike.
The first feature discussed is smart showerheads and faucets. Switching to low-flow fixtures is highlighted as an easy, quick, and cost-effective upgrade that provides immediate energy savings. Brooke Moore, an interior designer with Freemodel, explains that these fixtures conserve not only water but also the gas and electricity used to heat it. For identification, WaterSense-labeled products, which meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criteria for water efficiency, are recommended.
Radiant heated floors are presented as a method to significantly reduce energy costs. Although installing them involves a major renovation, it is a valuable consideration for projects already undergoing bathroom overhauls. Radiant heating is more efficient than baseboard heating and often more efficient than forced-air systems, according to the Department of Energy. An additional advantage is its benefit for allergy sufferers, as it does not circulate allergens like forced-air heating.
Lighting upgrades form the third category of sustainable features. Since bathrooms are frequently used, a combination of whole-room and task lighting is important. The article suggests three eco-friendly lighting improvements: replacing traditional bulbs with LED bulbs or fixtures for energy efficiency and longer lifespan, installing vacancy sensors to automatically turn off lights when a room is unoccupied, and incorporating natural light sources such as clerestory windows in new builds or major renovations to reduce reliance on artificial lighting while maintaining privacy.
Low-VOC paints and finishes are recommended to improve indoor air quality and reduce environmental pollution. McLean specifically endorses Benjamin Moore's low-VOC paints, and Glidden Premium is also cited as a suitable no-VOC option for high-humidity bathroom environments. Lastly, sustainable bathroom countertops and greener flooring options are discussed. For countertops, natural and locally sourced materials like natural stone, concrete, certified porcelain tiles, and recycled glass are preferred. Homeowners are cautioned to ensure materials are genuinely sustainable rather than merely appearing so. For flooring, durable, water-resistant options made from natural materials with sustainable company practices are advised, with concrete, cork, or bamboo tiles suggested as excellent choices.
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