It’s the subject that’s big news throughout the world at the moment; reminders of how human influence can damage our planet are never far from the headlines. Whether it’s climate change demonstrations, the over-use of plastics or the switch to electric cars, it’s certainly something that more and more us should be aware of.
Doing your bit for the environment could be the first step on the road to a bigger, more widespread change. Aside from recycling, using less energy, and switching to a plastic-free bathroom, what more can you do to help? Well, one of the best places to begin is your bathroom. It’s where you consume over half of your total water supply and also an area of the home which uses its fair share of energy, so let’s have a look at some fresh bathroom inspiration which will help you do your bit for the planet.
1. Install a more economical toilet
Your choice of toilet is incredibly important if you’re looking to save water in the bathroom. Many older toilet designs are prone to leaks and contain large volume flushes which use water inefficiently.
If your cistern is constantly running, you may not even notice, but it could waste over 100 gallons of water during the course of a year. To check whether you have a faulty cistern, simply stick some toilet tissue to the back of your toilet pan, at least half an hour after your last flush. Leave it there overnight and inspect the next morning. If the toilet tissue has disintegrated or disappeared entirely, the chances are your cistern is leaking.
When purchasing your new toilet, seek out models which come with a dual flush option. This allows you to select a smaller volume of water for liquid waste.
2. If it’s brown, flush it down
It’s a little ditty that many people across the world live by. If you can stand pee in your toilet, the old saying “If it’s yellow, let it mellow” could save you plenty of water in the long run.
3. Restrict your shower time
Taking a shower rather than a bath is a well-known water-saving tip, however you could save over 3,000 gallons of water every year by reducing the time you take beneath your outlet. Try restricting your shower time to 4 minutes. It may seem like a short duration but it’s all you really need to wake yourself up and scrub yourself clean. Plus, if you’re one of those people who’s always late for work, this new morning routine could be a godsend.
4. Choose an eco shower
All showers aren’t equal, especially when it comes to saving water. Modern showers now come with a variety of ways to reduce your water consumption, including flow limiters and an optional eco mode. Check your system before you buy and look out for air mix shower heads. By introducing air into the flow, you’ll use less water without having to compromise on your experience.
5. What’s your bath made of?
It’s a strange question but one which could save on both water and energy bills. If your tub is made from acrylic, this is a good heat-retaining material, as well as being incredibly tough and scratch-resistant. A steel bath, or one made out of other metallic materials, may look beautiful but it won’t retain heat as well, meaning you are more likely to keep topping it up with hot water.
6. Heat your feet
A neat way to reduce your energy usage is to install underfloor heating in your bathroom. In fact, if it’s used throughout your entire home, the potential to save both money and energy is huge. Unlike central heating, you can use underfloor heating to zone your home, warming each room individually. Your bathroom, for example, is only really used in the morning and evening, so you needn’t bother wasting energy throughout the day. Plus, with the latest smart technology, your thermostat can learn the best times and temperatures, for optimum usage.
7. Fix leaky faucets fast
If you’ve ever been kept awake at night by the drip, drip, dripping of a faucet or shower head, you’ll know just how annoying it can be. However, it’s not just the noise that is irritating—it could be wasting over 20 gallons of water over the course of a week. So, the best advice is to replace a dripping or leaking faucet or shower head before it washes all your hard-earned cash down the drain.
By following these water-saving tips, you really are taking the first step on the road to save the planet for future generations.
