4 Ways to Save Energy in the Bathroom

When you think of green practices in the bathroom, your mind probably goes immediately to water conservation— WaterSense® faucets and showerheads, low-flow toilets and the like. Did you know that the bathroom is also an excellent place to cut down on household energy waste?

Though the bathroom doesn't see prolonged daily use, like your living room or den, and it doesn't have the power demands of kitchen appliances, it can benefit from energy-efficient upgrades in four categories:

Lighting: ENERGY STAR® labeled light fixtures and LED or fluorescent bulbs can cut down on the energy used to light your bathroom. If you're building a new house or remodeling your bathroom, you could also look into solar tubes and skylights for a zero-energy option.

Heat: A perfectly comfortable temperature in any other room of the house can become an intolerable chill when you're stepping out of a hot shower. That, added to the natural heat-sinking properties of tile floors and porcelain, may have you reaching for a space heater.

Before you do, you may want to check your bathroom's insulation. Is the room dramatically colder than the rest of the house? Do you feel any drafts at the windows or baseboards? Are your pipes properly insulated, or are they leaching the heat out of your house? An ARS®/Rescue Rooter® Comfort Advisor may be able to help you find and address any shortcomings in your current insulation.

Ventilation: Like any other household appliance, your bathroom’s vent fan uses power to operate. Don't leave it on unnecessarily, but use it when you need to rid the room of mold-promoting humidity. If you need to install a fan or replace your old one, there are many ENERGY STAR® options available.

Water heating: If you're already taking steps to conserve water by using a low-flow showerhead and limiting your shower time, congratulations! You're already saving the energy it would have taken to heat all that extra water. But, don't forget that the way you heat your water (and your water heater’s state of repair) can also have an impact on your energy consumption.

Make sure the water heater you have is an energy-efficient one, and have it drained and inspected regularly to keep it running its best. If you suspect you need a replacement, talk with an ARS®/Rescue Rooter® pro at 1-800-277-9400 about the best water heater for your needs and budget.