Massachusetts Bathroom Remodeling – Incorporate Going Green Elements

As you are setting up your bathroom remodeling plan, it is wise to incorporate going green elements as much as you can.

We are a wasteful society and have developed the attitude of ‘there is more where that came from’, unlike past generations who tended to be more frugal and eke every vestige of usefulness before throwing anything out.

In relation to our bathroom remodeling plan, we might endeavor to re-purpose whatever we can and still get a pleasant result, while adding in some new going green factors.

So what can we re-purpose?

When remodeling a bath, it is probably wise to replace the toilet if it has any age on it, due to water inefficiency. This will save you money down the road, since the newer toilets require less water per flush. These have greatly improved over time and some research will turn up those that will give you the most flush for the water spent, and lower your water bill as a benefit.

In most cases, the vanity top needs replacing since it gets a lot of use, but the base unit could possibly be salvaged with  some sanding and prep and either a fresh coat of stain or paint. I favor stain, as I think it holds up better especially in a household with children.

A bathtub in good condition can be given a fresh look by installing new shower doors, or a new surround. This also saves the pain of major demolition and the expense of removal, as well as the landfill issue.

Faucets and showerheads are now available in endless supply, finish, and with a variety of features including lower water usage. This again will save both on the water bill and the energy bill for heating more water to fuel them.

Light fixtures should be purchased with energy saving in mind. Now, this is a serious and imminent issue. Be prepared to buy light fixtures and fittings for your bathroom remodeling project that accommodate the (CFL) or compact fluorescent light.

Why do I say this? Because the incandescent bulb will soon be a thing of the past. There is some dispute over just when this will take effect in the US, but be assured it will be soon. Australia and some European countries already have the ban in place, and retailers are selling their existing stock like hotcakes, but cannot purchase more.

We can either convert now, and have proper fixtures in place, or be forced to make the change in the near future.

Each of these suggestions contribute to the going green movement in one way or another. And, if you are resisting the movement toward green efforts, then comfort yourself by knowing that each of these tips will save you money, and we can all use some help in that area in these lagging economic times.