18 Feb 2013 Boosting your bathroom's efficiency
For such a small room, bathrooms can pack a punch when it comes to a home’s water and energy bill.
Most bathrooms account for the largest amount of indoor household water use, and on top of that, heating water for showers and baths is a home’s second-largest energy expense.
Luckily, it’s easy to boost your bathroom efficiency with a few simple tips.
Simple faucet upgrades
Focusing on faucets is one way to improve your bathroom’s efficiency. According to ENERGY STAR, a one-drip-per-second leak can waste thousands of gallons of water annually. If the faucet is leaking hot water, this could cost you $35 in water-heating expenses.
While you’re fixing water leaks, take time to install faucet aerators as well. These inexpensive, easy-to-install gadgets combine air with water to restrict water flow without affecting water pressure.
Savings in the shower
Showers and baths both consume their share of energy for water heating. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, showers use on average 10-12 gallons of hot water, while baths average nine.
Saving energy and water in the tub or shower is simple: use less. Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub only half full. Cutting your shower time by just five minutes can save 15-20 gallons of heated water per shower. You can also save by installing a low-flow showerhead that uses 2.5 or fewer gallons of water per minute. This simple swap could save you $145 every year on water heating.
Toilet tips
Lift the tank lid to find the “manufactured by” date stamped on the underside. Toilets made before 1994 can use up to eight gallons of water with every flush; toilets made after 1994 use a maximum of 1.6 gallons. Replace older toilets with new low-flow models to save water. If you’re not ready for replacements, you can boost the efficiency by:
Adjusting the float valve to reduce the amount of water allowed in to the tank
Placing a heavy object, such as a brick, in the toilet tank to reduce the amount of water drained from the tank after flushing
Purchasing a $20-30 conversion kit to turn your toilet into a dual-flush toilet, allowing you to control the amount of water used with every flush.
Hints for water heaters
To save energy — and money — in your bathroom, don’t overlook the efficiency of your water heater. If your water heater is more than seven years old, consider replacing it with a new energy-efficient model, such as an on-demand tankless system. If you aren’t ready for a new model, save energy by turning the temperature of the water heater down to 120 degrees. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, for every 10 degrees you lower the thermostat, you can save 3-5 percent in water-heating costs. Wrapping your tank water heater in a blanket of at least R-8 insulating value will also reduce standby heat loss and cut water-heating costs by up to an additional 9 percent.
Zero interest loans for energy efficiency home improvements, like upgrading to a more efficient ENERGY STAR hot water heater, are now available to Conway Corporation customers through its Energy Smart program. To find out more about the loan program or Energy Smart, contact Conway Corporation at 501.450.6000 or visit conwaycorp.com and click on the Energy Smart quick link.
