Efficient and sustainable solutions for the bathroom are a high value proposition. The benefits of sustainability are clear. In addition to using materials that have a low impact on the environment, there are also cost savings to consider and these can be significant in the case of businesses like hotels.
Today, the challenge with remodelling projects is to meet the growing demand for bathrooms which are both functional and sustainable. Water and energy savings, together with the presence of renewable energies in the home and the use of recycled or natural materials, have led to new alternatives in bathroom design that do not jeopardise the availability of resources in the future.
Zen shower tray
10 ideas for unique environmentally-friendly bathrooms
Sustainable bathrooms start with design, which is why we offer solutions that allow for efficient and intelligent refurbishment. The WaterForest eco-aware concept is our commitment to responsibility and to creating eco-friendly bathrooms where technology is simplified and becomes a way to improve energy efficiency.
WaterForest came about through the importance of change. It's time to relearn, stop, and become aware. To change small habits that can revolutionise our lifestyle and help us to interact responsibly with the planet.
The products and solutions that bear this label reduce CO2 emissions, water consumption and, ultimately, their environmental impact. They also facilitate LEED and BREEAM certification for sustainable buildings by achieving water savings of up to 89% in hotel, housing and restaurant projects.
Based on this philosophy, today we offer you some practical suggestions to make the bathroom a more sustainable place, with personal well-being and environmental protection at its heart.
1. Take advantage of natural light
Wherever possible, natural light should be used as ambient lighting. As well as being environmentally friendly, it is functional, attractive and produces a pleasant sensation. We should, therefore, avoid elements that block it out, such as blinds or opaque curtains.
If the bathroom has no exterior window, you can take advantage of the natural light from adjoining rooms through translucent openings at the top of the wall or by replacing the door panels with translucent glass.
2. Install LED lights
Create a good bathroom lighting design with different light sources that are suitable for each use. Only use the lights you need and install LEDs, which save up to 80% of energy.
This is precisely the saving you can achieve with Noken bathroom mirrors fitted with LED lights, which last longer while producing the same amount of light as other options.
Tono mirror with LED lighting
3. Use taps that save water
To create more eco-friendly and sustainable bathrooms, reducing water consumption is key, which is why it is important to choose taps that save water with flow limiters, aerators, sensors and cold start systems.
Noken has taps that incorporate the Eco-Start cold-start system, which only produces hot water when needed, helping to control your energy costs, and reduce the level of carbon dioxide heaters and boilers emit when water is heated.
With Noken Eco-Flow technology, you can save up to 89% of water with the use of an aerator, which limits the flow to a fixed rate, regardless of pressure, another feature that helps to make the bathroom a more eco-friendly place.
Pure Line thermostat
Noken Eco-Air technology for sprinklers and hand-held showers can also save up to 10% of water. Natural rain has been the inspiration for the development of this innovative technology, by means of which air is drawn into the shower head and mixed with water at a ratio of 3:1. Compared with conventional showers, the system improves user comfort, giving a sensation of greater pressure.
A good example of this technology is Round taps, which have the cold start feature and a flow rate of 5 litres/min, compatible with the ECO aerator up to 2 litres/min. As well as being an ideal option for eco-friendly bathrooms, they offer a wide range of aesthetic options, as they are available in chrome and various Finish Studio finishes: brushed titanium, brushed copper, brushed gold and matt black.
Round taps
Oxo taps are another good choice for a sustainable bathroom, an ECO design that limits water consumption to a maximum of 5l/min and includes the cold-start system.
OXO taps
4. Opt for ECO dual-flush toilets
The ECO dual-flush system, which is available for all our toilets enables users to use more or less water depending on their needs:
- The 6-3 litre dual-flush model makes it possible to save up to 47% of water.
- With the 4.5-3 litre dual-flush model, you can save up to 61% of water.
5. Install a shower instead of a bathtub and don't forget that time flies
A 5-minute shower with WaterForest products can save up to 88% of water compared to taking a bath.
According to the WHO, on average a shower takes about 10 minutes, during which you can consume up to 20 litres/minute (a total of 200 litres of water). However, you can save up to 85% of this amount by reducing the time spent in the shower to half, with a maximum flow of 6 litres/minute thanks to these products.
Moreover, by using Noken Eco-Flow limiters, you can reduce your shower's water flow by up to 70%, keeping it stable even if the pressure changes.
Zen shower tray with Touch and Feel taps
6. Opt for materials that have a low environmental impact or have been recycled
To create more eco-friendly rooms, it is important to use materials that do not emit toxic or volatile organic compounds. This reduced impact must apply to the production, use and transport of the materials, as well as to their future recycling.
For sanitary fittings, we use Noken Ceramic reusable and recyclable materials, which are:
- Reusable because all defective parts in the first production phase are returned to the cycle to ensure the efficient use of raw materials.
- Recyclable, because the cisterns are made from recyclable materials, and at the end of the product's useful life the material is reused in new production cycles.
Slate shower tray in Marquina Stone Finish Studio finish with Round Titanium shower taps
Slate shower trays incorporate the use of Noken ECO-Stone technology with recycled materials (60% recycled white marble, 30% eco-resin and 10% mineral perlite), allowing us to reduce the tonnes of waste that end up in the oceans and seas.
Slate shower tray
7. Choose durable, high-quality materials
Lounge Forest unit
It is essential to choose high-quality, durable materials. They should also be antibacterial and easy to maintain, requiring the use of less water and fewer chemicals for cleaning.
The Lounge Forest unit incorporates antibacterial and fingerprint-resistant technology, with a surface that allows scratches to be repaired by applying heat to the damaged area.
8. Include technologies for eco-friendly bathrooms
Timed electronic taps with sensors limit the consumption of water according to your previous use and needs.
In the case of electronic taps such as Pure Line, this water-saving technology increases the temperature digitally, selecting the water flow and output automatically, leading to constant water and energy savings.
Pure Line taps on Essence-C matt black wash basin
Touchless technology featuring electronic taps with sensors not only makes your bathroom a much safer and more hygienic space, no physical contact being necessary, but is also more environmentally friendly. These taps save on water consumption, as you can turn them off after washing your hands without having to touch them.
Round Touchless taps in brushed gold
The iconic Lounge toilet has been reinvented with more curved lines, new finishes and the rimless system, which reaches all parts of the bowl and guarantees maximum hygiene. The 4.5-3 litre ECO dual-flush system saves up to 56% of water.
New Lounge toilet
9. Plan for good thermal insulation in walls and floors
In addition to all the tips you have just seen to create sustainable bathrooms, insulating walls and replacing old windows with more efficient models that include double glazing is a must. In this way you will enhance your comfort and save energy.
10. Apply the 3 Rs
When designing an eco-friendly bathroom always keep the 3 Rs rule in mind: reduce (time spent in the shower, for example), reuse (if you renovate an old home, check whether there is anything you can retrieve and reinstall in the bathroom, instead of just throwing it away), and recycle (as we do with Noken Ceramics).
What do you think about these tips for eco-friendly bathrooms? If you care about nature, don’t miss this post: Wood in the bathroom, the perfect balance between natural and functional.
