(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 our 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 (EPA) 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 (gpm). 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 Curtains -- 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 to 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.
For more information on the Fina bathroom collection, visit
showhouse.moen.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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