Eco-friendly construction is more important than ever. As the world continues its search for less harmful materials and utility use, homeowners and construction businesses are looking for alternative means of creating exciting new spaces for homes.
Honey-Doers provides interior and exterior remodeling services for homeowners in the Twin Cities area and beyond. This post will highlight the ways your new bathroom can be made eco-friendly for the sake of the environment, your utility bills, and your peace of mind.
#1 Install Water-Saving Shower Heads Made from Metal
Water-saving shower heads, or low-flow showerheads, have been around for decades. In fact, the Energy Policy act of 1992 mandated a maximum flow rate for a shower head at 2.5 gallons per minute. But only in the last 5-10 years have people become more aware of the amount of excess water they use when showering.
The modern water-saving showerhead has a flow rate of about 2 gallons per minute. They’re also made of metal, which is more recyclable than plastic, and they usually offer spray-type options to assist the user in saving water while adjusting pressure.
#2 Invest in a Dual-Flush Toilet
Speaking of saving water, another surefire way of saving water in the bathroom is by installing a dual-flush toilet with your bathroom remodel.
What Is a Dual-Flush Toilet?
A dual-flush toilet is a high-efficiency toilet that incorporates two different flush options for efficient water saving. The flushing lever provides the operator with the option of a half-flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste. Dual-flush toilets have been around for several years now, so you should have a wide variety of style and color options to choose from in your remodel.
Other Alternative Toilet Options
While the dual-flush is quite common in today’s modern home, the flush methods don’t stop at the dual-flush. Other water-saving toilet styles include the gravity flush, pressure-assisted flush, and the tornado flush.
#3 Utilize Natural Building & Insulation Materials
Some of the oldest, most widely-used construction materials are eco-friendly and recyclable. The typical material used in construction that is also eco-friendly includes:
- Wood
- Stone blocks
- Recycled glass
- Concrete
There are also more unique materials that can be utilized in the eco-conscious modern home, though they may be more difficult to obtain for the build. These include:
- Cordwood
- Adobe brick
- Cork
- Bamboo
An adventurous, risk-taking homeowner may also consider using recycled materials like upcycled plastic and shipping container scraps. Recycled material can be used specifically for (but not limited to) insulation and flooring. But that’s a topic for another blog.
#4 Update Your Windows for Temperature Control & Energy Costs
On a practical level, updating your windows with the most up-to-date models and insulation methods will help your temperature control bills in the long run. The more efficient your temperature control, the less impact your home has on the planet.
While bathrooms rarely include more than one or maybe two windows, it’s still worth it to replace yours with a modern design. You can also invest in window films, which have been known to help homeowners save up to 30% on cooling costs.
Start Your Bathroom Remodel With a Free Estimate
Honey-Doers is proud to serve the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul area with interior and exterior remodeling services. For over 20 years, we’ve helped homeowners turn their visions into reality with whole home remodels, deck builds, and much more.
Interested in learning more? Give us a call or connect with us online to start your free estimate.
