Text by ARA
While the green movement has hit mainstream America, there are still a number of
homeowners who think going green means sacrificing performance and style
—especially in the bathroom. They think creating a green bath means using a weak
showerhead with very little pressure, installing a toilet that won
’t flush and drying off with towels that are scratchy and uncomfortable.
Thankfully, manufacturers in the bath products arena have made great strides to
create products that are not only stylish, but also offer superior performance
and quality...all while offering sustainable benefits. Learn how to incorporate
these new products into your bath
—whether you’re looking for a simple facelift, or a complete remodel.
Eco-Indulgent ... Liquid Luxury
From our toilets to tubs, roughly 60 percent of a home’s water consumption takes place in the bathroom, according to the California
Urban Water Conservation Council. So when creating a green bathroom, begin by
looking at eco-friendly products that dispense water efficiently
—from toilets and showerheads to faucets and more.
•Toilets – One of the biggest culprits of high water usage in the bath is the toilet,
accounting for nearly 30 percent of residential indoor water consumption and
most of the water wasted in American homes. Thankfully, a new program has
recently been introduced, which makes finding an efficient toilet easier than
ever. A toilet with the WaterSense label from the Environmental Protection
Agency certifies that the product is not only water-efficient, but is also
high-performing. Only high-efficiency toilets that complete a rigid third-party
certification process can earn the WaterSense label.
•Tankless Water Heaters – You’re used to on-demand TV, so why not an on-demand water heater? When hot water is
turned on in your home, a tankless system immediately flash heats the water at
two to five gallons per minute. When the water is turned off, the system stops
heating the water, unlike a standard hot water tank, which keeps working until
the water has reached a certain temperature. While this may be a costly
investment in the short run, a tankless system can last more than 20 years
—allowing the energy and replacement savings to outweigh the initial costs.
•Faucets – Think an efficient faucet means it lacks style? Think again. The new Fina
bathroom faucet collection from ShowHouse by Moen features soft modern style
cues and is WaterSense labeled, indicating the faucet has met the EPA
’s guidelines for water-efficient products. Highlights of the Fina bathroom
faucet collection include its high-arc spout, lever handles and
contemporary-shaped base. And while the faucet itself is remarkably designed,
it
’s the story inside the faucet that is equally as important. The widespread and
wall-mount lavatory faucets incorporate a flow-optimized aerator, allowing the
faucet to flow at a rate of 1.5 gpm, versus traditional aerators which flow at
2.2 gpm.
“We are very cognizant of the fact that today’s luxury-minded homeowners are not only concerned about a product’s style, but also the impact it has on the environment,” says Patti LaPorte, ShowHouse brand manager. “The Fina bathroom faucets accomplish this task beautifully—by offering a stylish faucet with eco-friendly benefits. And the new
flow-optimized aerator will not cause any noticeable change to conventional
flow
performance ... so homeowners will still be able to conduct their normal
bathroom activities while saving water.
”
•Showerheads – Following in the footsteps of eco-friendly faucets are water-efficient
showerheads. Last year, Moen launched its first Flow-Optimized, Water-Saving
showerhead, which reduces the flow of water to 1.75 gpm vs. the industry
standard of 2.5 gpm
—up to a 30 percent water savings. Not only is this savings significant in
reducing water consumption, but it also reduces energy costs since it uses less
water. And best of all, a homeowner can still experience a high-performance
shower.
Green Bathroom Bling
Once you’ve curtailed the major culprit of inefficiency in the bathroom, it’s time to look at a few other small ways to turn your bathroom green—while still keeping a bit of the “bling” you so desire.
•PVC-Free Shower Curtain – Ditch your standard plastic shower curtain and replace it with one made from
hemp. This new fabric curtain will spice up the decor of your bath with an
upscale look and will stop water from spraying outside of your shower without
the need for a plastic liner. And, not only is the material eco-friendly, but
it also resists mildew, meaning you won
’t need to continually replace it.
•Eco-Friendly Wallpaper – Today’s wallpaper isn’t like it used to be. New eco-friendly and highly stylish wallpaper options now
feature water-based inks and materials from sustainable forests. Plus,
companies such as Graham
& Brown also feature nature-inspired patterns with names like Fossil and
Rainforest to continue the
“green” theme in your bath or powder room.
•Organic Cotton Bath Linens – For the finishing touch to your new luxuriously green bath, organic cotton bath
towels are extremely absorbent and naturally hypoallergenic since they are
processed and finished without chemical ingredients, toxic bleaches or
formaldehyde.
Finally, after you’ve created your eco-friendly bath, it’s time to sit back, relax and unwind.l
Courtesy of ARAcontent
