Green Bathroom Remodel - Plumbing

Green Plumbing for Bathrooms

Save Energy with a Water Heater Jacket
Putting an insulating jacket on you water heater should be your first step in saving energy in your new bathroom. Inexpensive and easy to install, a water heater insulation jacket can significantly reduce standby losses of your water heater. 

Save Energy by Insulating Water pipes
Water pipes often run through areas where heat is easily lost. Crawlspaces or basements, for instance, may not be insulated and when water pipes transverse those spaces, water loses heat along the way, wasting energy and taking longer to heat up at the faucet. The solution is to insulate all hot water pipes across the entire length, from water heater to fixture. 

Flush Less Water Down the Drain
Nearly one third of the water consumed in US homes is used to flush toilets. While water may seem plentiful now, diminishing access to fresh water can be expected in the future. The time is now for installing a low-flow toilet.

There are several options available on the market and we encourage you to shop around and replace the old existing toilet even if it is still functional. You’ll want to look for toilets that use less than 1.6 gallons/flush. Federal regulations require all new toilets to adhere to that standard.

High-efficiency toilets use even less water. Through the use of pressure-assist technology some toilets use as low as 1 to 1.28 gallons per flush. Dual-flush toilets allow the user to choose between two modes – one uses 1.6 g/f, the other uses less than 1 g/f.

Note: Your old toilet may be valuable to someone. That robin egg blue toilet may have sentimental value but it is time to recycle it. Be sure to look for a way to keep it out of the landfill. 

Save Water by Installing Low-Flow Shower heads and Faucets
Low-flow bathroom faucets and shower heads produce an adequate flow but use 60 percent less water by combining the water with air pressure. Look for shower heads that use 1.5 – 2.5 gallons/minute. Bathroom faucets should flow at no more than 1.5 gallons/minute. 

Filter Your Showerhead for Better Health
Chlorine is absorbed six times more easily by our skin than by our digestive system so filters are an important consideration. Some low-flow showerheads also contain a charcoal filter that filters chlorine. For those with sensitive or dry skin, a filter can make a big difference. 

Stop Waiting for Hot Water
We’ve all done it – held our hand under a faucet for 10, 20, 30 seconds or maybe even a minute or two waiting for hot water to make its way from the water heater to the faucet. The wasted water is significant. The solution is to install an “on demand” hot water circulation pump. An "on demand" system sends hot water to the shower or sink only when needed simply by pushing a button or walking into the bathroom. 

Consider Replacing Your Water Heater
When choosing a water heater, pay attention to their Energy Factor (EF). This is the measure of the water heater’s overall efficiency. The higher the EF, the more efficient the appliance. Look for a model with an EF of at least 0.60. Electric water heaters tend to have higher EF ratings than gas-fired water heaters but heating with electricity can be more expensive.

Note: California “builder model” water heaters tend to be more efficient for a small increase in price. Look for Title 24 compliant models. It may be a special order in different parts of the country.

Another option is a tankless water heater which runs only when someone turns on the tap. Water is heated as it flows through the heater so there are no standby losses. Tankless water heaters result in significant energy savings despite their initial high up-front costs.