The Green Bathroom

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From water conservation to efficient lighting and green cleaning, the bathroom is an ideal room to make eco-friendly. Major changes can be made in a remodel or new construction, but a quick green makeover is possible, too. New Construction or Renovation “Going green should not be an option, it should be the first thought,” says Jeff Smoler, ASID, ASFD, of J.E.S. Designs in Northbrook, Ill. “Going green is almost a state of mind. Once you decide to do it, price seems to not be at the forefront.” However, essential to any bathroom design—green or not—is to keep with local building codes. They can guide you through any mandatory green Caroma’s Adelaide Cube is a dual-flush, high-efficiency toilet (HET) and is WaterSense approved. improvements to be made, such as installing energy-efficient lighting, now required by many local electric utilities, Smoler says. Quick Green Makeover Toilets. Replace an old toilet with one of today’s high-efficiency models. They offer several options to help you cut back on the nearly 30 percent of indoor water use that toilets represent. There are double-flushing toilets that have one button to eliminate liquid waste and a second button to deliver more water to clear solid waste. There are toilets that have air-assisted flushes, larger trapways and wash-down rather than gravity-suction flushing. Before you buy, check for a WaterSense label on any models you are considering. The label means that the toilet has met certain U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements for water efficiency and performance. For simple instructions on how to replace your existing toilet, view our how to video here. Cabinets. Consider green cabinets that will be produced using sustainable materials, such as bamboo, says Diana L. Patterson (www.geauxto.com/DianaLynnePatterson) of Tucson, Ariz., president-elect of the American Society of Interior Designers-Arizona South. “Avoid laminates as you are dealing here with glues and chemicals which are harmful and difficult to recycle. Solid wood cabinets are a better choice than laminate or plastic, but you want to choose easily replaceable, fast-growing woods such as willow, poplar, oak, eucalypts, since solid wood cabinets use many trees to produce.” For more information about green cabinetry, click here. Moisture control. With showering, bathing and sink use, the bathroom is one room that could have a lot of moisture issues. Effective control is important to prevent respiratory and structural problems. Install a properly sized electric vent fan in the ceiling to remove moisture in the air and prevent mold or mildew from growing. Updating. If changing out trim, look for items such as tile with recycled content or for materials with non-toxic finishes. Consider salvaged hardware to give a new look. If refreshing walls, use paints with low- or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Read more about protecting your indoor air quality here or listen to a Tip of the Day from BobVila.com’s audio series here.

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