It doesn’t take much effort to turn your bathroom into an energy efficient zone. By taking the necessary steps, you could not only lower your energy costs but also improve your health as well!
Sink Faucet
- Leaky faucets can result in gallons of water wasted, so take quick action to repair any in your bathroom.
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- Hot water leaking at 1 drip per second adds up to 1,661 gallons of water wasted in a year.
- 1,661 gallons of water works out to approximately $35 in squandered energy costs.
Light Switches
- Always turn off the lights when leaving the bedroom (or when it’s not in use).
Vanity Lights - Save up to $70 in annual energy costs by replacing your 5 most frequently used light bulbs or fixtures with ENERGY STAR certified ones.
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- The bathroom vanity is one of the highest used fixtures in the average home.
- Replace standard lighting with ENERGY STAR certified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which generate less heat.
- As high humidity can shorten the lifespan of CFLs, control bathroom moisture by running your ventilation fan during and 15 minutes after showers and baths.
- Find a wide assortment of ENERGY STAR certified lighting options in hardware stores, lighting showrooms, retail outlets and online stores.
Window
- Caulk and weather-strip areas around doors and windows to prevent air leakage.
- Replace window screens with storm windows during winter as an extra barrier against cold air.
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- ENERGY STAR certified windows can save you anywhere from $150-$500 annually in energy costs.
- Cut drafts, increase home comfort and help preserve interior furnishings with properly installed ENERGY STAR certified windows.
Shower
- Save water by going for a 10-minute shower instead of a bath.
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- A 10-minute shower with a low-flow showerhead (2.5 gallons-per-minute) will use 25 gallons of water – 5 gallons less than a typical bath.
- New low-flow showerheads are more cost efficient than older models or baths, and can save you up to $145 a year in electricity costs.
Vent Fan
- Install a properly sized ENERGY STAR certified ventilation fan to control moisture, mold and mildew growth.
- Run the ventilation fan during your bath and shower, and for 15 minutes afterwards.
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- On average, ENERGY STAR certified ventilation fans use 60% less energy than standard models.
- Save more than $60 in electricity costs over the life of a fan by replacing it with an ENERGY STAR certified one.
- By using high performance motors and improved blade design, ENERGY STAR certified fans are quieter, perform better and are longer lasting than standard models.
- Look for ENERGY STAR certified models at home improvement and hardware stores, or ask for them from your HVAC or electrical contractor.
- Prevent moisture problems by ensuring the fan duct leads outside.