Even though the discussion about keeping the environment safe has been around for years, it only seems that it has been within the past few decades that we as a group have tried to change our ways. Though most try to make a change through recycling or by using metal straws, the way we run our households can also make a difference.
Seeing as one of the most typical home improvement projects that people take on is a bathroom remodel, this could be a great place to start when you are ready to go green. You can use the following tips to help you get started when you are ready to update one of the most visited rooms in your home.
Low Flow Fixtures
Whenever you use the shower, wash your hands, or brush your teeth, you are undoubtedly using much more water than you actually need. Even if you have the knob on low, a lot of clean and unused water is still going down the drain. In fact, one minute of hand washing can use up to eight gallons of water!
Low-flow fixtures can cut the use of water by a significant amount, with a minute of hand washing going down to as little as 1.5 gallons. These devices work by implementing air into the water with an aerator. This separates one stream of water into several smaller ones and also controls the pressure being released. Sinks, shower heads, and toilets can all be switched out for low-flow versions.
Lighting Options
In the past, the most common form of lightbulb was incandescent, which works by heating a filament in a glass bulb with inert gas. The problem with these is that they emit more heat than light, which wastes a lot of energy. This makes the bulbs a huge culprit in releasing greenhouse gases.
Instead, when redoing your lighting, you should switch to LED bulbs, which can use up to 90% less energy than their counterparts. Because an electrical current powers it, the light you get is much brighter but does not produce a lot of heat. You can also consider adding natural lighting options like a skylight.
Bidet Toilets
Though they are still novel for many Americans, bidets are prevalent in other countries, specifically European ones. They work by spraying the user with water to clean up after using the bathroom, almost completely erasing the need for toilet paper. Cutting down on toilet tissue is a great way to save trees, but it also cuts the amount of water that is used to make toilet paper in the first place.
If you install a smart toilet like the Swan S Pro, you will also get a bidet that can self-clean, which will help protect you and the environment from the harsh chemicals usually used to scrub out a toilet bowl. Instead, it sprays itself with a mix of nitrogen and antibacterial microbubbles.
So that you do not need to turn on the light in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, the Swan S Pro also contains a LED night light. This not only saves on energy costs but will save you from waking your family whenever you have to go. You can consider using this feature in the daytime, too!
Because each part of the Swan S Pro can be controlled by a remote or through your phone, including stream pressure and angle, you also will not have to wash your hands as long. Combine this with a low-flow faucet, and you are destined to see a change in your water bills, as well as the environment!
Daily Tips
Even outside of a bathroom remodel, there are ways that you can be more environmentally conscious whenever you are taking on daily tasks.
- Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth instead of letting it run the whole time.
- Replace your old plastic trashcan with one made of a natural or recycled material such as bamboo.
- Put soap and shampoo into reusable containers to cut on waste.
No matter what options end up working for you, make sure you use them to your advantage. Even if the changes are not noticeable immediately, you are promoting a better future for yourself and the others around you.
If you want to go big in change, then any of the installations mentioned could be the right decision for you. You can learn more about what makes the Swan S Pro a great choice in the eco-friendly movement by visiting the Swan Toilets website. With 37 customizable options, there is surely a reason for you to love it, even outside of an environmental stance.
