Creating and Energy Efficient Bathroom

Remodeling your bathroom right to make it energy efficient offers you the benefits of increased health, safety, comfort, and savings.

It also adds value to your home. Today you can choose from among many different design features and fixtures that will reduce both your energy bills and greenhouse pollution.

  1. Choose an energy efficient hot water system and install it as close to the bathroom and laundry room as possible. This will reduce pipe length and heat loss.
     
  2. Energy efficient ventilation fans suck out moisture-laden air and pull in dry outside air while you shower or bathe. This helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew and consequent damage to your bathroom and home, not to mention adverse effects on your family’s health. Be sure you buy the proper size of ventilation fans and make sure they are labeled energy efficient. The fans should be self-closing exhaust fans to prevent heat loss or gain when not in use.
     
  3. Energy efficient lighting is next. When shopping, check the labels and learn about the many different attractive types of fixtures and bulbs that can save you money in electric bills. These energy efficient fixture come in all the popular styles, including wall- and ceiling-mounted lights, cabinet lights, recessed lights, and compact fluorescent bulbs.
     
  4. Good insulation is essential to high energy efficiency in a structure. When remodeling, be sure to properly seal and insulate the walls and ceilings. Too often bathroom walls and ceilings are poorly insulated. You can ensure greater comfort and efficiency by opening up the walls and caulking leaks or sealing them up with foam. Be sure to seal around the pipes and electrical penetrations.
     
  5. Choose windows, doors, and skylights with energy efficient labels. Glass and frame technology has made great advances over the past decade, but some products are of better quality than others. Note the rating and make sure double panes are truly sealed so that mold and mildew cannot grow inside. If you are making your current windows energy efficient, be sure to seal them well. Energy efficient doors and windows will cut both your heating and cooling costs.
     
  6. Installing an energy efficient showerhead is important because the shower is the largest user of hot water in the household. An AAA showerhead, available at many bathroom supply stores and hardware stores, will reduce the amount of hot water consumed. A flow rate of about 7L per minute is considered AAA for showerheads.
     
  7. Use your water efficiently by installing water-saving devices and by insulating your hot water pipes to reduce heat loss. Water saving devices include aerators and flow regulators in your taps. They should have a similar water-saving rating.


Home improvement guides:
Better bedroom ideas
Interior home projects
Minor interior home projects
Residential furniture
Interior window coverings

 

©, Bathroom Lighting Showroom.com
All rights reserved worldwide. Always consult a professional before installing any new lighting. The content on this site is the authors opinion only and should not be considered professional advice.

 

Home: Bathroom Lighting Showroom


Lighting guide


Buy lighting fixtures

Disclaimers