published by:  Michael Ullrich  AIA

If 1 in every 10 American households installed water saving bathroom fixtures, it is

estimated that water consumption could be reduced by as much as 74 billion gallons per

year, saving approximately $1.5 billion annually in utility costs.

In 2006, the EPA launched “Water Sense”, an initiative that brings local water authorities,

product manufactures, and retailers together in an effort to promote water saving products

and strategies to consumers.  Much like “Energy Star” and other rating systems, products

that meet specific water conserving criteria carry the water sense seal of approval.

 

Did you know that 60% of our daily water use comes from bathroom fixtures?

 

Your morning shower consumes approximately 25 gallons of water.  Replacing an existing

shower head with a low-flow model (2.0 gal/min or 1.5 gal/min) can reduce that

consumption by 50 – 70%. 

Your daily faucet use averages around 17 gallons of water per day.  A low-flow faucet can

reduce this consumption by up to 30%.

 

In your bathroom, a considerable amount of water is unfortunately wasted due to “lag time”

(the time it takes tepid or cold water in the pipes to clear before hot water reaches the

desired fixture).  A household of 4 can waste more than 12,000 gallons / year due to lag

time.   Installing a re-circulating hot water loop, can greatly reduce or eliminate lag time.

 

Toilets account for 30% of our daily home water usage.  Toilets made prior to 1992,

consumed 3-7 gallons per flush (GPF).  Since 1992, and Congresses passage of the Energy

Policy Act, low flow toilets have become the norm operating at   1.28 – 1.6 GPF.   Replacing

inefficient toilets alone goes a long way to reducing your water consumption.

(for retrofitting a pre 1992 water-wasting toilet, see Jan 7, 2011 blog – “Stop flushing money down the drain”)

Today’s consumers are becoming more and more educated and conscious about the impact

they have on the environment around them.  Water conserving bathroom products are

readily available, relatively inexpensive, and require little if any lifestyle changes.  Do your

part to conserve this precious resource.

The key to attracting people to the basement is to create a space that tells a story and is unique to the rest of the house.
In this Darnestown MD remodel we wanted the feeling of a rustic lodge.  To achieve this we wrapped the the beams and columns with rough pine and detailed it to make it look like massive columns complete with steel connecting straps.  In the bathroom the walls are covered with horizontal planks.  Both the fireplace and the bar make use of natural stone.  Every design element is used to reinforce the story of a rustic lodge making it feel like a vacation cabin.

A tile rug is a great way to add elegance to any bathroom.  Traditional 6x6 white field tiles surround a polished Carrara Marble rug inlay in this master bath.