There are a number of design features and fittings that can improve bathroom energy efficiency and reduce energy bills and greenhouse pollution. Remodelling your bathroom to make it more energy efficient will improve your home because doing it right will reap the benefits of health, safety, comfort and will save you money and energy.
1. Energy Efficient Hot Water System Select an energy efficient hot water system and place it as close to the bathroom and laundry as possible to reduce pipe length and reduce heat loss.
2. Energy Efficient Labelled Ventilation Fans Bathroom moisture is often controlled by the use of an exhaust fan. The fan sucks out the moisture-laden air, which is then replaced by drier outside air.
Install properly sized energy efficient labelled ventilation fans to control moisture in the air while you shower or bathe. By removing moist air and drying out your bathroom, a ventilation fan will help prevent mold and mildew. Fans help remove moisture, which can increase the level of humidity in your house. High humidity can damage building materials. Worse, high humidity can cause mold growth and mold may affect your family's health. Install self closing exhaust fans to avoid heat loss or gain when not in use
3. Energy Efficient Labelled Lighting Another easy way to make your bathroom more energy efficient is to install energy efficient labelled lighting (e.g., Light Fixtures: suspended lights, ceiling-mounted lights, cabinet lights, recessed lights, or compact fluorescent bulbs). Attractive, energy-efficient lighting adds value to your home and reduces home energy bills.
4. Insulation - Insulate Walls and Ceilings The walls behind tubs or showers are often poorly insulated and air-sealed. Opening these walls as part of the remodelling project provides an opportunity to ensure comfort by sealing air leaks with caulk or expanding foam and installing insulation. Also make sure to air seal around plumbing and electrical penetrations.
5. Energy Efficient Windows and Doors If you are replacing windows, doors, and skylights, consider those with the energy efficient label. New technologies in the glass and frame systems help make your home more comfortable, and lower heating and cooling costs too.
6. Energy Efficient Showerheads The shower is the largest user of household hot water. Install an AAA showerhead to reduce the amount of hot water consumed. AAA showerheads are available at many bathroom supply stores and hardware stores. A flow rate of approximately 7L per minute is considered as AAA for showerheads.
7. Water Pipes and Water Saving Devices Insulate hot water pipes to reduce heat loss and save energy. Install water saving devices like water saving aerators and flow regulators in your taps. Select water saving taps that have a similar water saving rating.
Probably one of the most popular central heating facilities is the radiator heater. However, underfloor heating systems are now beginning to be more widespread for household heating, as well as in some offices. This heating system is not a new concept and has been around for many a century since the Roman period. Underfloor heating can also be traced back to Ancient Korea, whereby heating was spread from the kitchen area.
History
Before the advent of radiator and underfloor heating systems, the Romans were one of the first to introduce the central heating systems in public buildings and bathhouses. This was not readily available to everybody, especially to those who did not have enough money. Only the rich and wealthy were privileged enough to own one of these. However, maintaining this type of heating system required a lot of manual labour and twenty-four hour attention. Therefore, it was a costly process.
In ancient Korea, the warmest part of the house was the kitchen. Seeing that most of the heating would come from the kitchen, a facility was built to help heat travel through flues and then be distributed and different rooms. This type of underfloor heating system was known as the Ondol, which literally translated meant 'warm stone'. With just one heating, the floors of each room would remain warm and heated for a longer period.
The system inspired American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright, in the 1900s to build an underfloor heating system in his building having experienced its benefits in Korea and Japan. He invented the radiant underfloor heaters, which had hot water running through water pipes as opposed to hot air. This was then began a new trend in central heating and has since been useful in households as well as public buildings.
Modern Day
The modern underfloor heating can also be used as a cooling system during the hot summer months, which is much more beneficial to your health and energy efficient than using air conditioning devices. Electric floor heating systems have very low installation costs compared to normal radiator heating. All that is required for them is a thermostat, and can cost up to a couple of hundred pounds or less. These are normally installed in the kitchen or bedroom.
Radiator heating generally circulate heat by pushing the hot air up towards the ceiling, which leave people feeling warm in their upper body but not on the lower part of their body. Furthermore extra heat is wasted as the hot air gets trapped up at the top, which is why there is always a cool bottom and warm top half.
With underfloor heating the heated air circulates more in the bottom half and around the room without any hot air being wasted. Unlike radiators they are relatively maintenance free, so once they have been installed you will not have to worry about bleeding air and a good quality system could last up to twenty-five years. Not only that, it will cut the cost of your heating bill by half as the effects of underfloor heating is that the warmth can last for an extended period.
Both Chileshe Mwape & Anna Stenning are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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