12 tricks for an eco-friendly bathroom

Unlike flushing fixtures such as toilets, the volume of water used in a shower depends on the length of use and the flow from the showerhead.

By controlling both length and flow, it is possible to save water and energy.

Our recommendations:

• Certified WaterSense showerheads use 20% less water and energy than standard showerheads. When you choose a certified WaterSense showerhead instead of a standard model, you’ll save up to 3,703 L of water in a single year.
• Low-flow showerheads use between 3.8 and 7.4 L per minute, compared with traditional showerheads, with a flow of 9.5 L per minute or more. They save several liters of water and energy used to heat the water.
• Install a showerhead valve: this allows the water to be turned off while you soap and shampoo and then turned back on to rinse without having to readjust the temperature.

The water heater is one of the biggest energy consumers in the home. A good eco-responsible choice will save water and energy as long as your use behaviour is suited to the selected appliance. Check out the Buyer Guide on water heaters for help choosing the right water heater for your household.

Our recommendations:

• Certified ENERGY STAR® natural gas water heater with a storage tank costs more than an electric model but use up to 14% less energy.
• If you prefer an electric water heater, choose a RONA ECO-approved three-element water heater which helps lower power demand at peak periods. Tankless electric water heaters are also one option to consider: their lifespan is twice as long, and effective models can generate energy savings of up to 30% compared to the old tank-style water heaters.
• Solar water heaters can reduce energy consumption by up to 50% or more. The water is preheated by a solar panel system before being sent to a traditional water heater, reducing the amount of energy required to bring the water up to temperature. The antifreeze models can be used year-round.

The most effective way to reduce energy consumption is to reduce unnecessary heating by replacing mechanical thermostats with electronic thermostats.

Our recommendations:

• Electronic thermostats are less sensitive to room temperature differences than mechanical ones and produce a steadier temperature – helping you save up to 10% of the energy required to warm your home.
• Programming options allow you to adjust the temperature and avoid raising and lowering the temperature too often. You’ll avoid needlessly heating your home and will considerably reduce your energy consumption.
• Models equipped with occupant presence detectors don’t require any programming. The heating is activated and deactivated based on the presence of people in the rooms, leading to significant savings.

Today, the market offers lighting fixtures that are more efficient, save energy, reduce resource use, and decrease the amount of waste going into landfills.

Our recommendations:

• Certified ENERGY STAR® light fixtures consume 90% less energy on average and minimize heat release, cutting down on air-conditioning needs in summer.
• Certified ENERGY STAR® LED lightbulbs use up to 90% less energy and last about 15 times longer than incandescent lightbulbs. LEDs have the potential to consume less energy than compact fluorescent bulbs, and contain no mercury or noxious gases, unlike compact fluorescents. Choosing this type of lightbulb will lower the electrical bill and reduce impact on climate change.
• Dimmer switches adjust the intensity of the light, which decreases energy consumption. Depending on the decrease in intensity, a zero-resistance dimmer can save from 5% to 50% in energy costs.

Bathroom counters made of long-lasting materials will withstand the test of time, since counters are subject to so many stresses (use, heat, humidity, etc.). The best eco-responsible choices should come from renewable resources, consume little water and energy in their production, and generate few greenhouse gases in their production and transportation.

Our recommendations:

• Natural stone counters, such as marble, granite, quartz, slate, and steatite are healthy choices that respect the environment, especially if they’re produced in the region where they are installed, cutting down on the energy and GHGs involved in their transportation.
• If you go with a stratified counter, choose a model with the core made of 100% urea-formaldehyde-free recycled fibres. Urea formaldehyde is used as a binder in many kinds of materials and is one of the most common air pollutants inside homes.
• Ceramics with recycled content, mosaics with recycled glass, and recycled glass counters (with a concrete or resin base) are healthy, long-lasting choices. The concrete must be covered with a sealant every year to maintain its water resistance.