Eco Bathrooms that care for the environment

With climate change being so far up the agenda at the moment, it’s more important than ever to save water and conserve energy. We use more water in the bathroom than anywhere else in our homes, so to save water here will have a dramatic effect not only on the environment but on your pocket too.

We can go some way to conserve water and reduce energy bills by showering instead of taking a bath, and turning off taps while shaving and brushing our teeth.  But when installing a new bathroom we can do much more. Bathroom manufacturers have responded to the demand for sustainable bathroom design by developing technologies which deliver eco-friendly solutions.

The choice for consumers is now vast, so in this blog we pinpoint specific products that will help you create an Eco-friendly bathroom without having to compromise on design and quality.

Clever showering

Taking a shower is something we do every day, but how conscious are you of the amount of water you use? Designers at Aqualisa have gone to great lengths to offer eco-solutions across smart, mixer and electric showering ranges so that you don’t need to think about it! The Q shower system uses unique proximity sense technology, whereby water flow is automatically reduced when you step away from its proximity sensor i.e. to shampoo your hair or shave your legs!

Hansgrohe have also developed technology called EcoSmart which is used in a range of their showers and consumes up to 60% less water than conventional products. It does this by enriching the water with air resulting in a full bubbling jet of water without compromising on the power and quality of your shower. For example the Crometa 85 Green overhead shower consumes only 6 litres of water/min and Raindance EcoSmart consumes 9 litres/min.

Eco Brassware

Gone are the days when taps were either hot or cold! Laufen for instance offers an innovative solution to water saving with the new VAL Brassware collection. The VAL basin mixers feature an Eco+ function that ensures the operating lever is always in the cold-water range on the middle setting, preventing unwanted hot water and energy consumption.

In addition to the basin mixers, the Val bath and shower mixers also feature the Eco+ function, which indicates the temperature and the flow rate of the water. In both the horizontal and vertical movement of the lever a resistance can be felt as soon as the energy-saving zone is left. If this resistance is overcome, the maximum temperature and water volume are available. This way, water and energy consumption can be reduced by up to 30%.

Roca’s Cold Start tap system does something similar to Laufen’s technology in that it always turns on with cold water. If the lever is turned towards the left, water obtained will be gradually hotter. This way there is both water and energy savings since it prevents the water heater from firing when it’s not necessary.

Hansgrohe’s PuraVida and Metropol basin mixers offer another alternative with the EcoSmart technology.

Flush-less Toilets

According to Geberit, it’s estimated that an average household uses over 33 litres of water from flushing alone every day! So choosing the right toilet really can make a difference to the environment! It is recommended that we opt for a cistern with dual flush technology which uses as little as 4.5 litres per flush, compared to a traditional 9 litre flushing system. The Geberit Sigma concealed cistern is a good example of this and is just one easy way to reduce water consumption.

The Geberit AquaClean also has green credentials – its TurboFlush technology means the toilet can be effectively flushed out even with a partial flush, due to its single water release point and targeted flush water flow guidance.  What’s more, its gentle oscillating wash is helping to reduce paper waste by revolutionising users’ toilet habits – no more loo roll! – and even features an energy saving mode to allow homeowners to consciously opt for more eco-friendly options in the bathroom.

Take a look at Roca’s basin-toilet in one – it’s both pioneering in design as well as technology, and has been awarded several design and sustainability distinctions! The unit with its double function allows reusing the water from the washbasin by sending it to the cistern after a filtering process.

If this is a step too far in terms of design and functionality, there’s the rimless toilet to consider. With no rim, the toilet is more hygienic and far easier to clean meaning you’re using less water. Plus they have an innovative direct flush technique which gives a more thorough covering of water in the pan, equating to less water being used than a traditional toilet. Crosswater offer a few different styles – this one is the Svelte Platinum rimless toilet which is sleek and stylish!

Eco styling in a bathroom

If you’re not currently in the market for a whole new bathroom full of eco-friendly products but you want to feel a little more at one with the environment, a botanical theme is easy to achieve. From simply introducing plants into your bathroom to adding botanical inspired tiles or wall paper, these cosmetic updates can make you feel more ecologically conscious.

For more information on creating and environmentally friend eco bathroom, visit your local BATHLINE bathroom Showroom and let our design team help you create your perfect bathroom design.