Energy Efficiency in the Bathroom
Installing solar panels is an important step to saving money on energy and reducing your overall carbon footprint, and there are plenty of additional ways to cut your energy consumption overall and move toward energy efficiency, especially in the bathroom.
1. Take a shower instead of a bath. It takes energy and money to heat hot water, and you’ll use a lot less of both if you take a shower instead of a bath. According to the Environmental Protection Agency1, baths can use up to 70 gallons of water, while a five-minute shower uses between 10 and 25 gallons. Add in the amount of energy it takes to heat that water and multiple by the number of people you have in your home, and things can add up quickly.
2. Install a low-flow showerhead. Heating up water takes energy, and if you can use less water over the same amount of shower time, you’ll save money and energy. The EPA2 estimates that using a low-flow 2 gallon-or-less-a-minute showerhead can save you 370 kilowatt hours of electricity a year, or enough to power an average home for 13 days. It’s the little things that help to create an energy efficient home.
2. Use an energy-efficient water heater. Install a tankless water heater, which heats the water only when it’s needed. If you have a hot-water storage tank, insulate it. And set the temperature at 120 degrees for water hot enough for cleaning and showering.
3. Avoid devices that need power, and if you do use them, unplug them after use to avoid vampire energy drain and empower an energy efficient home. Hair dryers, curling irons, electric toothbrushes, and electric razors all use up power; use them only when needed.
4. Use energy efficient lighting. Most bathrooms don’t benefit from a ton of natural light, so the light switch constantly gets a workout. A LED or compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb will save you energy and money. And don’t forget to turn the light out when you leave the bathroom.
5. Fix leaky faucets and showerheads. Leaking any water is a bad idea, but if you’re leaking hot water, you’re wasting water and energy. Remember that every step counts in the move to an energy efficient home and energy efficiency.
To get started on saving money and energy, get a free solar quote.
- How to Lower Your Electric Bill
- How to Go Solar
- How Solar Power Works
- Off Grid Solar Systems
- Solar: Lease Vs. Buy
1EPA Shower Power, http://www.epa.gov/watersense/kids/showerpower.html
2EPA Shower Heads, http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/products/showerheads.html
What Can You Save With Solar?
With no end in sight for soaring electricity rates, your switch to solar will secure affordable power for your home & family for years to come.