The bathroom is probably the first place you visit in the morning and the last place you visit at night, so it’s the perfect place to start saving energy.
Save water in the shower
Showers can use a lot of water, especially if you like to rinse and repeat on a daily basis. Install a low-flow showerhead to reduce your water use. Unlike conventional showerheads that can flow at 5 gallons per minute, they typically flow at less than 2.5 gallons per minute. This can save you gallons of water each time you use the shower.
Lower your faucet’s flow
To reduce your water usage even more, install a low-flow faucet. While conventional faucets can flow up to 3 gallons per minute, low-flow faucets flow as low as .5 gallons per minute — saving you energy every time you brush your teeth.
Shut off the water
Do you leave the water on while you’re brushing your teeth or shaving? All of those minutes add up to a lot of wasted water. While there are many ways to lower your water usage, one of the best ways is to simply shut off the water as much as possible. If you have kids at home, be sure to encourage them to shut off the water, too.
Ventilate with an exhaust fan
Before you take a shower or bath, turn on the exhaust fan to pull the hot air and humidity out of the room. To make sure all of the heat and humidity is removed, let it run for up to 20 minutes after, but then shut it off so you don’t waste energy. If your exhaust fan isn’t performing as well as it used to, or it is time for a new one, be sure to check for available rebates on ENERGY STAR® vent fans before making a purchase.
Stick to showers
Everyone loves a relaxing, warm bath, but they use a lot of hot water. Instead, use baths as an occasional treat and stick to showers when possible. A bath can use up to 70 gallons of water, while a 10-minute shower only uses 25 gallons.
Repair leaks
That constant drop from your faucet is more than just obnoxious — it’s also a huge waste of water. A leak of one drop per second can waste over 3,153 gallons of water each year. Fix those leaks and save up to $50 a year.
Unplug the electronic devices
Be sure to unplug anything that’s not being used. From curling irons and blow dryers to electric toothbrushes and razors, you can protect your bathroom from vampire power (the energy that’s wasted when electronic devices are plugged in, but not in use) and give your energy bill a break. Also, don’t forget about those nightlights. Since they’re only needed at night, unplug them during the day when you don’t need them.
Once you’ve unlocked all the energy savings in your bathroom, read about the ways you can save energy in your laundry room!
