Top 4 ways to green your bathroom
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More and more Australians are deciding to make small changes in their homes to become more 'green'. So what bathroom DIY can you make to reduce your carbon footprint?
Here are four ideas to help you make your bathroom as environmentally friendly as possible.
Prioritise water-efficiency
Whether you are doing a major overhaul or making a few simple changes to become greener, water efficiency is something to have at the forefront of your mind.
If you are replacing your toilet, why not consider installing a water efficient dual-flush model? Over a ten year period this can save you around $500, according to the Department of Industry.
Not only are their financial savings, but this will also dramatically reduce the amount of water this feature uses.
A water-efficient showerhead is another simple change to make. These restrict the amount of water coming through your shower, but never fear, your shower will still be as satisfying and comforting as always!
The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme can give you some indication of how much water this item could save. A showerhead with a three-star rating, for instance, will only use around seven litres of water per minute, while an inefficient showerhead can use up to 25.
Choose your materials carefully
Thinking about installing a hardwood floor? Make sure you chose sustainable wood, as this will be kinder to the planet. If you can, use wood that is locally grown as it will generate less carbon dioxide to get from the forest to your bathroom.
This means every time you sand your floor you do not need to worry about the amount of greenhouse gases used in its creation.
Check for drips
If your taps are leaking water, it is not great for your environmental reputation. Make sure when you renovate that all your taps are tight and that no water is escaping.
Bathroom lighting
Lighting is essential to any bathroom, and if you are aiming to become more environmentally friendly, it is essential that you think about the kind of lighting you plan on using.
LED lights are a great eco-friendly option for the bathroom, since they use less power to run and are durable, hardworking and last for a long time. This means you won't need to replace them so often, sending less rubbish to landfill.
