How to Add Energy Efficiencies to a Bathroom Remodel

Gain Energy Efficiency and the Bathroom of Your Dreams at the Same Time

When you think of making your home energy-efficient, your bathroom is probably not a room that comes to mind. Most commonly, homeowners think of roofing (solar roofing), appliances, lighting, and other electrical sources. And while adding energy efficiency to any interior remodel is important, your bathroom should not go overlooked, as a great deal can be done to make it more efficient and save you money.

It is possible to create the bathroom renovation you’ve always dreamed of, and add the money-saving investment of energy-efficient features.

At Lakeside Renovation and Design, we want to answer all of your bathroom renovation questions, so let’s take a moment to focus on the energy efficiencies you can add to your bathroom space.

The Best Energy-Efficient Options for Your Bathroom Remodel

Making a bathroom efficient will involve regulating lighting, temperature, and water. With these items in mind, here are a few of our best tips to adding efficiency to your bathroom.

Low-Flow Toilet and Showerhead

Water, obviously, plays a large role in your bathroom and in its efficiency impact. Most homeowners don’t even realize that they use more water than necessary. Swapping out your current showerheads or toilets for low-flow, more energy-efficient ones will help decrease the amount of water being lost down the drain.

With most low-flow showerheads, you won’t notice the difference in shower pressure. You gain efficiency without the cost of comfort. Efficient toilets are also designed to decrease your water consumption. Not every toilet flush requires the same amount of water. Energy-efficient toilets provide you the option for a heavier or lighter flush, depending on need.

Additional Insulation

Perhaps the most impactful energy-efficient solution to your bathroom renovation comes in the form of insulation. And not just insulation in the walls, although, this is important. This additional insulation should be installed around water pipes as well. It takes a great deal of energy to heat water, and that heat can slowly escape as your water is transported from your water tank to your faucets. Look for foam pipe insulation to help prevent this heat loss and save you money.

Large-scale bathroom renovations are the best time to add insulation, as the drywall is already being replaced. Look for an insulation that has a high R-value, as this will provide the greatest efficiency. And ensure your renovation is completed by a qualified professional who will provide the best water seal to your space to keep your insulation from becoming damaged or mold ridden. Moldy insulation is rendered useless.

Regulating and Monitoring Water Temperatures

You might be surprised at just how much energy is consumed through heating your water. It can account for as high as 25 percent of your overall energy consumption. And typically, your water heater regulates and keeps your tank continually at 140 degrees. Lowering the temperature of your water heater can help to reduce energy consumption and save you money. And it costs you nothing to accomplish this task.

Energy-Saving Lights

In a smaller room, which is potentially darker than other areas of the home, consider upgrading to LED lights. Not only do LED lights decrease the amount of energy being consumed, but they are also brighter than typical incandescent bulbs, illuminating a bathroom space. While they may be a greater initial investment, LED lights also last longer than other bulbs, making them an overall great investment that saves you in the long run.

Motion Detector Lighting

Adding motion detectors to your light switches on top of switching to LED lights can be a great way to save on electricity. Whether it is you, your spouse, or your children who forget to turn off the lights, returning to the bathroom and noticing the lights have been left on feels like a major waste. And it is!

Motion sensors will automatically turn off after a set amount of time, so you’ll never have to worry about your lights being left on again.

The Energy-Saving Bathroom You Need

Whether you are in the middle of a remodel or are considering remodeling your bathroom spaces, don’t overlook the impact that enhancing energy efficiency can have on your home and the environment. Our team at Lakeside Renovation & Design wants to not only provide you with immaculate design inspiration, but to also create a bathroom space that functions well and saves you money.

Discover how the help of a professional interior remodeling contractor can bring an energy-efficient and beautiful bathroom renovation to your home.