When it comes to designing your bathroom going green will save the environment and your wallet. Going green doesnt always mean replacing fixtures with water or energy saving appliances its also recycling and using recycled products. Going green also has other advantages besides saving money. Potential home buyers are looking for move in ready homes with these efficient appliances installed.
The easiest and most inexpensive way to save water in your bathroom is water saving shower head. There are many models on the market so you will want to do your research before going out to try and purchase one. Many cheaper models dribble water out of the shower head which leaves most people feeling unsatisfied. A good water-saving shower head will perform on the same level as a normal shower head with a standard water supply. Another great way to save water is a water saving toilet. There is a wide selection of water saving toilets to choose from. A pressurized toilet is a great alternative to the standard toilet. These toilets use less than 1.6 gallons per flush and use a pressurized air tank to give the toilet more power. Pressurized toilets tend to be a good deal more expensive than standard water saving toilets and were thought to be problematic. Dual flush toilets are also a great alternative offering a small flush of .8 gallons and a large 1.6 gallon flush. One average a dual flush toilet will save a family of four about 15000 gallons of water a year.
There are a large number of building materials made out of recycled materials tile; vanities and flooring are just a few. Using recycled fixtures is also a great way to save money and conserve natural resources. There are many home owners who prefer the old fashion traditional claw foot bathtubs. These soaking tubs can be very expensive when purchased new. However for a fraction of the cost you can by or even pick up a used claw foot bathtub and refinish it.
Low voltage lighting is also another great upgrade to your green bathroom. Low voltage lighting comes in almost any style you can image from track lighting to fluorescent bulbs. Installing a dimming switch will also save electricity plus you have the added option of changing the lighting mood of the room. Utilizing sunlight through windows and skylights will give your bathroom a brighter more inviting feeling. This also will also give you more of an option for cooling your bathroom having windows to open helps to air out your bathroom as well as cool it in the summer.
Whether its your master bath or guest bathroom designing it with environment friendly appliances and fixtures will help save you money and the environment at the same time. This is also a good long term investment since potential buyers are looking for energy friendly homes and appliances. Since the cost of energy has been steadily climbing over the last few years its a safe bet that a greener home owner is a happier home owner.