Remodeling or upgrading your bathroom presents a perfect opportunity to embrace eco-friendly choices that save water, energy and money while honoring the spirit of Earth Day. Sustainable bathroom upgrades align well with what Earth Day’s founders envisioned starting in 1970, a chance for everyday people like homeowners to make a difference. Especially with the understanding that Americans use nearly 20 percent of their household water in the bathroom, remodels and upgrades can deliver serious savings for your checkbook and the planet.
Targeted bathroom remodeling choices let you conserve resources without sacrificing comfort, aesthetics or lifestyle. From low-flow fixtures to sustainable materials, there are plenty of ways to reduce your environmental footprint and even make your home healthier. Many eco-friendly bathroom upgrades pay for themselves within a few years through lower utility bills, too.
Impact
Old bathroom fixtures often waste shocking amounts of water without us realizing it. Outdated toilets can use up to 7 gallons per flush compared to modern efficiency models that target using just 1.28 gallons. Bathroom remodeling gives homeowners a chance to slash their water consumption by a noticeable margin, often 50% or more. Installing water-efficient fixtures helps preserve local water supplies, reduces strain on treatment facilities and protects natural waterways from excessive withdrawal.
Low-Flow Showerheads
Switching to a low-flow showerhead cuts water use significantly without sacrificing the joy of taking a shower. Traditional showerheads guzzle 5 to 8 gallons per minute, while modern low-flow options use around two gallons. Swapping in a low-flow system saves thousands of gallons yearly and also reduces your water heating costs. Look for showerheads with pressure-compensating technology, air infusion or pulsating features that maximize the feel of water while using less. Some models even come with pause buttons that maintain your desired temperature while you stop to lather up or shampoo your hair.
When shopping for a low-flow model, choose a showerhead with the WaterSense label. WaterSense is an EPA program that certifies that a showerhead is at least 20% more efficient than the standard models on the market.
Water-Saving Toilets
Modern water-saving toilets represent one of the biggest leaps forward in bathroom efficiency. Dual-flush toilets give you two options. There is a light flush using about 0.8 gallons for liquid waste and a full flush of 1.6 gallons for solid waste. The flexible design may cut your toilet water use by up to 67% compared to older models that used 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush.
Composting toilets take conservation even further by using little to no water at all. These systems separate liquid and solid waste, allowing natural decomposition to transform waste into safe compost. Though traditionally used in off-grid settings, some new residential designs make composting toilets practical for eco-conscious homeowners.
Today’s efficient toilets address common concerns about hygiene with powerful flush technology that cleans the bowl more effectively despite using less water. Features like glazed trapways prevent waste buildup while antimicrobial surfaces inhibit bacteria growth. Many models include self-cleaning mechanisms that spray the bowl with electrolyzed water or powerful cleaning solutions. Some advanced designs even incorporate charcoal filters or ventilation systems to eliminate odors, ensuring these water-saving fixtures remain fresh and sanitary. Not only can you help the environment, but you can provide a healthier bathroom for your family.
Sustainable Materials
Understandably, folks tend to focus on water consumption when going eco-friendly with a bathroom remodel or upgrade. Choosing eco-friendly materials, however, takes the plan to the next level. Reclaimed wood and metal add character to vanities and shelving while giving new life to materials that might otherwise end up in landfills. Such salvaged treasures carry unique histories and weathering patterns that new materials simply can’t replicate. Reused metal also improves your carbon footprint by reducing mining. Especially if you’re in the market for a one-of-kind statement piece, reclaimed materials can elevate a bathroom quickly.
Recycled glass countertops are another fun reclamation idea with their unique patterns. These surfaces resist stains, scratches and heat while requiring minimal maintenance.
Tiles made from recycled materials instead of petroleum-based products are another big win. Recycled tiles come in countless colors, patterns and textures to suit any design preference while significantly reducing extraction and manufacturing costs.
Fast-growing bamboo offers a renewable alternative for flooring and accessories for folks who want all-new materials. Bamboo regrows in just three to five years compared to hardwoods taking decades to mature. This woody grass is naturally water-resistant and incredibly durable, making it perfect for humid bathroom environments.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that lurk in lots of the industrially manufactured materials that go into a bathroom renovation. Low-VOC paints and finishes significantly improve your bathroom’s air quality chemicals that traditional products may emit for years after application. VOCs can cause headaches, respiratory issues and other health problems, especially in small, poorly ventilated spaces like bathrooms.
Cork flooring provides natural warmth, cushioning and water resistance while being completely renewable. The flooring comes from the bark of cork trees without harming the tree itself. Cork flooring also naturally resists mold and mildew, making it ideal for bathroom settings.
Even textiles play an important role in sustainable bathrooms. Hemp shower curtains resist mildew naturally without chemical treatments. Organic cotton towels avoid the pesticides used in conventional cotton farming, which ranks among the most chemically intensive crops worldwide.
Other Solutions
Smart faucet technology represents one of the most accessible water-saving upgrades for any bathroom. Motion-activated or touchless faucets eliminate wasted water from forgotten taps left running. Aerators mix air with water to maintain pressure while reducing flow, potentially as much as 75%.
Greywater systems capture water from your sink, shower and tub to flush toilets or water gardens. These systems divert lightly used water that would otherwise go down the drain, reducing overall household water consumption by up to 40%. Simple versions require only basic plumbing modifications, but there are more advanced variants with filtration.
Conversions are another way to be eco-friendly. Shower-to-tub and tub-to-tub conversions offer a simple solution to quickly renovating a bathroom. By limiting the scope of the renovation work, conversions offer an eco-friendly way to make a bathroom look amazing without a huge environmental footprint.
Finally, consider how a remodel can save money by correcting plumbing problems. A remodel is a change to find leaks in the plumbing system. Even replacing a dripping faucet or running toilet can save significant water and money.
The people of Niles, OH, and the surrounding areas have trusted our team from A to Z Dependable Services since 1960. Our company is well-reviewed and a member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. We are also state-licensed. We handle all kinds of plumbing issues that often accompany bathroom remodels and upgrades. We work on fixtures, lines and drains. You also can ask us about hydro jetting, backwater valves and sump pumps. Our plumbers even install and maintain water heaters, including eco-friendly tankless models.
If Earth Day has you ready to remodel your bathroom with an eye toward reducing your environmental footprint, contact A to Z Dependable Services right now.
