If you plan to remodel a bathroom in the near future, be sure to investigate the latest green options:
- Tankless water heaters are 34 percent more efficient than traditional storage tank heaters. They use intense flame to heat water only when you turn on the hot water tap.
- Composting toilets so popular in parts of Europe are gaining attention in America. Some of these toilets do not use water at all and produce safe and usable compost, free of bacteria or other pathogens.
- Gray water systems recycle water used in the shower and at the sink back to the toilet, so the toilet is not using fresh water with each flush.'
- Drain-water heat recovery systems transfer heat from the hot water going down the drain to water flowing into the water heater. This allows the heater to use less energy to raise the water temperature again.
- Hot water recirculation pumps can be placed on the water fixture farthest from the water heater. This saves energy by cycling the water in your pipes back to the heater, thus cutting the amount of energy needed to heat colder water drawn from its source.