The focus on sustainability in modern day building means we are always looking for new ways to make our homes kinder to the environment. If you’re designing a new bathroom from scratch, it’s a great opportunity for you to play your part by incorporating eco-friendly products into your design.
1. Water-efficient toilets
All new toilets come with dual flush, which can save families thousands of litres of water per year. If you’re not upgrading your entire bathroom and you have an older model toilet with full-flush only, there are some low-cost devices available that can be installed in your cistern to reduce the amount of water used for each flush.
Did you know?
At Caroma, we pride ourselves on having been pioneers in water saving bathroom technologies. We developed the first dual flush toilet way back in 1980. This system saves approximately 32,000 litres of water per household per year, due to the use of full or half flush technology, which allows the option of an 11L or 5.5L flush.
2. Water-saving showers and tapware
When choosing new tapware, the WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme) ratings are a good way to compare products. The WELS label contains efficiency stars and water consumption or water flow figures. The 1-6 star rating allows a quick assessment of the model's water efficiency – the more stars on the label, the more water efficient the product. Another option, if you’re not replacing fittings, is to have aerators or flow controllers installed on your existing tapware, which will significantly reduce your water usage.
3. Energy efficiency
About 25% of energy consumption in Australian homes is from heating water. Installing a modern energy-efficient hot water system instead of an electric heater is essential to making your bathroom eco-friendlier. Options include:
Solar: A solar water heater can provide up to 90% of a household’s hot water needs. The systems are expensive to install but are included in the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which creates a financial incentive to install eligible small-scale renewable energy systems. You may be entitled to small-scale technology certificates, which can be sold to recoup a portion of the cost of purchasing and installing the system.
Gas: Gas water heaters produce 25-35% less greenhouse emissions than electric water heating systems. Gas is relatively cost effective to install.
Heat pump: These systems are becoming more popular in Australia and New Zealand as they are suited for warmer climates. Heat pumps are very energy efficient as they extract heat from the air, water or the ground. Heat pumps are also included in the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
4. Maximise natural resources
Incorporate a skylight and/or window that maximises light and ventilation in your bathroom. Not only will your bathroom be flooded with natural light and fresh air, but you’ll be doing your extra little bit for the environment by using less lighting and mechanical ventilation.
5. Upcycle
Repurposing furniture is a gorgeous way to reuse and recycle in a bathroom, rather than use brand new cabinetry. Pre-loved furniture makes for a great vanity, with a stone top and basin added, or a freestanding cupboard is always great for additional storage.
