Green Alternative: Bathroom
By: Priscilla Izurieta
Alternatives:
Low Flow Toilets
Toilet flushing is the largest use of water in a home, which can contribute to more than 880 gallons of water per week of water usage with a family of four. Older toilets can use approximately 7 gallons of water with each flush. Low flow toilets reduce that rate to 1.6 gallons used per flush. The more conservative you are with water, the better it is for the environment. The installation fee can be priced anywhere from $500-680.
Motion Sensor Faucets
Think about how much water you waste while washing your face, hands, or brushing your teeth. You may leave the water running for 20 seconds, but those 20 seconds add up. A motion sensor faucet determines the time you actually need water and when you don't. These faucets can be priced from $350-625.
Paint
When redoing your bathroom, look for paint with a low volatile organic compound (VOC) label. Typical household paints have about 10,000 chemicals, at least 300 are known to be toxic, and 150 are linked to cancer. VOC paints vaporize the air. When released, they can create ozone, react with other elements in the air, and cause health problems such as breathing problems, headache, burning, watery eyes, and nausea. Low VOC paints are less toxic for you and for the atmosphere. These paints can be priced from $35-$70.
How would you use this alternative in your home?
Motion-Senor Faucet: I would take out my old faucet and install the new faucet because it knows when to turn on and turn off for when I need the water. This in time will save water,money, and continue to help the environment from one small change of a faucet.
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Sources:
http://inhabitat.com/7-eco-friendly-tips-to-green-your-bathroom/toilet-3/?extend=1
http://www.ecooptions.homedepot.com/project/how-to-create-an-eco-friendly-bathroom/
http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/indoor.html
http://www.homewyse.com/costs/cost_of_low_flow_toilets.html
http://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/bathrooms/eco-friendly-bathroom-6-ways-to-go-green
http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/construction/materials/low-voc-paint.htm
http://www.poplarnetwork.com/news/low-voc-paint-more-expensive-cost-benefit-analysis