Making a splash in the bath — while using less water — is increasingly the goal of “green-minded” homeowners embarking on a bathroom remodel. And with good reason: According to WaterSense, a voluntary public-private partnership program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, each American uses an average of 100 gallons of water per day at home. By installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances, usage can be dropped by about 30% — which shaves an average of $170 per year off a $500 water and sewer bill.
Put another way, a family of four could save more than 16,000 gallons of water per year by replacing a traditional toilet with a low-flush toilet. Low-flow showerheads and fixtures are also relatively inexpensive and highly effective ways to save water.
Another idea: Install a tankless water heater to ensure on-demand, temperature-ready water with the flick of a faucet, suggests Desia Graybill, a designer with Portland, OR-based Arciform. “When it comes to water conservation, a tankless water heater goes a long way,” she explains.
For example, Rinnai, a manufacturer of gas tankless water heaters, claims their R85i NG costs approximately $265 per year to operate, compared with a natural gas 40-gallon tank ($326 per year) or an electric 40-gallon tank ($453 per year.)
Once the water-saving elements are in place, Greenbill says, homeowners should next consider completing the job with reused or recycled materials.
The idea is not to increase your carbon footprint, she explains. “Try to make do with what you have. Be environmentally conscious of the decisions you make, try to keep things out of the landfill. If it’s brand new, think salvage. Ask yourself, ‘How else can I get the same thing?’ People are happier when the (products they use) have more of a history. It’s those details that make you happy.”
Local and online businesses thrive by reclaiming vintage materials for the remodel market.
Susan Rich is copywriter and editor based in Portland, OR. She writes regularly about home improvement and health and fitness. She can be reached at www.richwriting.com.
Here are some suggestions to “re-green” your bath:
| Shop for Old House Parts Old Portland Hardware & Architectural, Hippo Hardware, and the ReBuilding Center, Rejuvenation, and antique stores are perfect places to find a vanity, an old medicine cabinet, lighting, or a beautiful buffet that can be refinished and retrofitted for the bath. Choose this option instead of buying new or having something custom-made for your bath, Greenbill says. Here, a little bit of creativity can yield spectacular results. www.oldportlandhardware.com |
Tankless Water Heater To purchase and have your tankless water heater installed visit your local A-Boy Plumbing & Electrical store. To locate a store nearest you visit www.aboysupply.com |
| Choose Low-to-No VOC Paint Paints without toxic volatile organic compounds (VOC) have been around for years. Brands like Acro Pure by Miller Paint, Horizon by Rodda Paint, and Yolo Colorhouse’s full line of paint are just a few that offer low-to-no VOC paint. www.millerpaint.com |
Re-Do the Lighting Schoolhouse Electric and Rejuvenation are two of Portland’s providers of new period lighting fixtures retrofitted to accept GU24 compact fluorescent bulbs instead of halogen or incandescent, making these vintage fixtures energy efficient. True vintage lighting is also offered by Hippo Hardware, Old Portland Hardware & Architectural, and Rejuvenation; most have been converted to today’s electric codes. www.schoolhouseelectric.com |
| New Uses for Glass and Concrete Using recycled glass from your curbside waste pick up, auto windshields (see page 13,) and concrete are an up-and-coming trend for bathroom countertops, backsplashes, tub enclosures, and more. Some suggested products: Coulee Concrete Designs www.couleeconcrete.com Fuez www.fuez.com Ice Stone www.icestone.biz/new Portland Cement Co. www.portlandcementco.com Stardust Glass Tiles www.stardustglasstile.com |
Fine for the Floor Marmoluem — “Pretty, inexpensive, and durable. This is made from some of the most sustainable materials ever offered (linseed oil, wood flour, rosin, limestone, and jute.) It now comes in a whole new line of fantastic colors. It’s warm, and feels good on the feet,” Graybill says. |
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Claw Foot Tub Cleanup Advanced Bathtub Refinishing Vintage tubs: |
Updating Windows There’s nothing more chilling to a high heating bill than a drafty window. Inefficient windows are definitely a must-address in the bath, Greenbill notes. “If you are tearing out a wall in the bath, and you have an inefficient window,” getting a new one can save energy and money in the long run. |
| Do-Over Dingy Doors A fresh coat of paint and recycled vintage hardware can make an old bathroom door look new again. www.oldportlandhardware.com |
Love these Linens The perfect finishing touch: Towels made from organic cotton or bamboo. Mirador Community Store |
