Annyeonghaseyo~bangbeob ida
Looks like the weather is changing drastically, especially in the Equator Line. We have a week of sudden torrential rain and suddenly it's a hot sunny day on the following week. Anyway, whenever we are soaked wet in the rain water or sweating under the dry hot sun, we'll surely look to our bathroom for a nice relaxing shower. So when it comes to using the bathroom, sometimes does it cross your mind that the water heater that you used is using a lot of electricity? So let's discuss on this issue on how to save this energy.
Design
People remodel more than 5 million bathrooms every year in the world. Sometimes this just means replacing lighting and plumbing fixtures. More extensive remodels involve building an addition or gutting and redesigning an existing bathroom. Regardless of the scale of the project, it is usually a good opportunity to save energy and water, improve comfort, and control moisture. Unfortunately an unwary remodeler may do the opposite. A poorly insulated bathroom can mean higher heating and cooling expenses, miserable bathers, or both. Moisture buildup can create a moldy room and damage the structure of the whole house. As remodelers work to make the space aesthetically pleasing, they should also make it a priority to create a comfortable, efficient, and dry room.
Ventilating the bathroom is absolutely vital in order to avoid a build up of moisture that can possibly damage the structural components of the home. Ventilation also helps to prevent the formation of mould and mildew which can cause problems with allergies, as well as being unsightly. The best way to ventilate the bathroom efficiently is to ensure that the bathroom has a window that is capable of good cross-ventilation. There is no point in installing a small window, as it will not be able to handle the volumes of air required to keep the bathroom dry. If installing a different window is not an option, then you can install an exhaust fan that vents to the outside of the home. To prevent the fan being left on accidentally, it is possible to connect it to the light switch so that the fan turns on and off as the light does.
You may be surprised to learn that approximately 40% of all the water used in the home is used in the bathroom and the toilet. So, if you wish to save water, the toilet, taps and shower are the main areas to look at in the bathroom. A dual flush toilet is much more efficient than a standard toilet as some are capable of using as little as 4.5 litres of water for full flush and 3 litres for a half flush. If you don’t want to replace your toilet with a new one, there are gadgets available that you can fit to the toilet to reduce the amount of water being used. These work by only allowing the toilet to flush when the button is physically held down. Also consider using a rainwater tank for flushing the toilet or grey water from other areas of the home (such as the laundry). This water is perfectly adequate for toilet flushing and will save you from using precious mains water supplies.
Bathroom taps and shower heads are also two ways of saving water in the bathroom. Water efficient taps should have a rating of 3-stars or more, or ideally 4-stars or higher. If you are not replacing your taps, a water aerator will reduce the volume of water that comes from the tap significantly. Standard shower heads can use as much as 20 litres of water per minute. Simply by switching your shower head to one rated 3-stars or higher, you can reduce that amount to just 9 litres of water per minute without suffering a loss of water pressure.
It is also important to check your plumbing in the bathroom regularly, to ensure that there are no leaks anywhere – whether it is from the taps, the toilet or the pipes themselves. Leaks are often so minor that they go undetected while wasting litres of water over what can be a very long period of time.
Hot water is the number one necessity in the bathroom, and the use of a solar hot water system will drastically reduce the amount of electricity or gas that you use. Ensure that the system is placed as closely as possible to the three main hot water usage areas – the bathroom, kitchen and laundry. If solar hot water is impractical in your residence for whatever reason, consider using a continuous flow hot water heater. Continuous flow heaters only heat the water as it is being used, ensuring that the hot water never runs out, as well as ensuring that hot water is not sitting in a storage tank being constantly heated until it is used. Whatever hot water system you use, make sure that the hot water pipes are insulated.
Heating is often a necessity in the bathroom, especially in the colder areas of Australia. There are several heating options available such as underfloor heating, heating lights, and heating systems that run on gas or electricity. While heating is a major user of energy, it is possible to minimize the amount used by using your heating appliances correctly. Choose a heater that is the right size for your bathroom so that it does not have to overwork or underwork, and also only operate your heater as necessary. Do not leave it on for hours just so that the bathroom is toasty warm when you enter. Only turn it on long enough to banish the chills and make the bathroom comfortable to use. If you have a large family, it may be worth scheduling bathing times so that it is within the same block of time – meaning that the heater only has to be turned on once instead of multiple times throughout the day.
Gadgets
Of all the rooms in your house, the bathroom probably isn't top of the priority list for splashing cash on gadgets, seeing as most of your time is probably spent elsewhere unless you are an avid bubble bath fan.
But that's not to say the bathroom doesn't have its fair share of exciting gadgets and in fact, it has just as much potential to be as smart as the rest of your home. There are plenty of devices available now that can turn your bathroom into a clever one.
Smart Body Analyzer Scale - The Withings Smart Body Analyser Wi-Fi Scales do exactly what their name suggests and more. They will give you an accurate weight recording, along with body fat measurements, Body Mass Index (BMI), heart rate readings and information on air quality and the day's weather. The scales feature automatic user recognition for up to eight users so they know who they are weighing and they will also help you position yourself properly for the most accurate weigh in with the Position Control function. The Health Mate app will let you set weight goals and it will break them down into achievable targets, plus there are also a number of partners, such as MyFitnessPal so you'll find the scales are compatible with some of your favourite fitness apps too, allowing for easy integration.
Crosswater Digital Duo - The Crosswater Digital Duo is a two-way control system that allows you to switch between your shower or your bath easily. Apart from looking good, the Duo offers control of the temperature and flow for the perfect shower, or temperature and depth of your perfect bath at the touch of a button.There is built-in memory that will store individual settings for up to three people and the Duo is compatible with an iOS app that will allow you control your bath and shower from anywhere in the home on a wireless network. It means you can get the shower warmed up from the comfort of your bed before you step in, or you can turn it on as you come home from a run for example. There is also a wired remote control available that operates your bath or shower up to six metres away so you can put it on the bedroom wall by the light switch for your ensuite bathroom for example.
Cyber Mirror - The Tech2O Cyber Mirror doesn't come cheap, but isn't just a mirror. It's a mirror, TV and internet portal in one with an IP63 rating meaning it is safe to use in the bathroom. It has a 32-inch Full HD 1080p LED touchscreen display, Windows 8 software, an Intel Core i3 processor and there is Wi-Fi functionality so this mirror isn't your average piece of glass that shows you how bad you look in the morning. Freeview is also built-in, as are two 10-watt speakers so bubble bath time can become catching up on your favourite soap time. You can also use it to flick through emails or apps such as Facebook, as well as do your hair, check your make-up (wearing dependant) and listen to music. In terms of specifications, there are a number of inputs including three HDMI and three USB ports so if you want to use Chromecast with it to watch a film or series from Netflix, this shouldn't be a problem and you can even mount it as portrait or landscape. The Tech2O Cyber Mirror measures 1300 x 700 x 98.5mm and weighs 76kg so make sure your wall is strong enough to hold it or you might end up with seven years bad luck coming your way.
Smart Toilet - The Kohler Numi toilet proves that almost anything can be gadgetry when you have some spare cash, even toilets. First and foremost the Numi is of course a product that allows you to pee into it but don't make the mistake of thinking that's its sole purpose. It does everything for you, except the physically peeing part. This toilet will automatically raise and close the seat, warm your bum up and even warm your toes. There is a self-cleaning bidet that has adjustable water temperature and pressure controls, plus there is also ambient lighting in seven colours. A built-in speaker system that connects to a remote docking station, a touchscreen and a touch panel remote so you can pick your preferences are also onboard. The Numi also has a Bluetooth receiver so you can stream music from your mobile, an SD card slot for personalised welcome messages or custom playlists and a USB port for software updates.
Waterpebble - The Waterpebble is for those of you who want to become more eco-conscious or simply save some money on your water bill. It has been designed to take the effort out of saving water and the pebble-shaped device will monitor water going down the plug hole, memorise your first shower and use it as a benchmark. Each following shower you have, the Waterpebble will indicate when to finish showering by using a series of three lights - red, orange and green - with green meaning start, orange telling you the half way point and red letting you know it is time to stop.The idea is that your water usage is reduced a little each time you shower, helping you save water without having to think about it too much. It can also be reset at any time if you decide the first shower you took was too short for example.
Return Of Investment
Home owners need to ask themselves a few fundamental questions before deciding if remodeling the bathroom is a good idea. The most important question is whether you are going to get your money back if you decide to sell the home in the future. When remodeling a bathroom, it's important for homeowners to have a good idea of what your improvements are worth. This helps you invest your money wisely.
Most home owners can't afford to waste money on pet projects that put a strain on your finances, so home owners must choose carefully when deciding on a remodeling project. Most professionals in the real estate field recommend choosing a project that yields a hefty return. Bathrooms are a great remodeling choice. When home buyers look at a home, they always ask about the bathrooms. For home owners, a bathroom remodel is pricey, but it's a safe bet that is very likely to be profitable. On average, bathroom remodeling projects yield a 60% return on investment. If the home owner is smart about their remodeling project, they increase the profitability of the remodel even more. A home owner might consider the following upgrades for their bathroom:
- Multiple sinks
- Glass showers
- Good lighting
- Shower seating
- Extra storage
- Floating vanities
An upgraded bathroom is welcoming and warm, which is appealing to home buyers who look for comfort and style when searching for a new home. It's important for home owners to pick upgrades that make use of neutral colours and finishes without following ultra-trendy designs. This ensures that the bathroom doesn't look old and used in a couple of years. Home owners should always consider increasing the size of the bathroom if possible; most home buyers prefer a home that has big bathrooms. It's easy to expand the size of a bathroom during a remodel or change certain features to make the bathroom feel bigger. For example, you might replace an over-sized, rarely used tub with a sleek glass shower to create more space in the room.
Many home owners make the mistake of choosing bathroom styles that aren't appealing to the public. When they do, they don't add much value to their home. It's always important to consider what a buyer is looking for in a bathroom to be sure of coming up with functional and stylish remodeling ideas. When remodeling a bathroom, home owners need to keep the design in harmony with the rest of the home. If a bathroom sticks out like a sore thumb, it spoils the appearance of the home, especially for potential buyers who may only take a quick tour of the house before deciding whether or not to make an offer. When a home owner is considering an upgrade that's going to be hard to sell in the future, you need to realize that home buyers won't be willing to pay for their eccentric designs. If they plan on staying in the home for a very long time, however, then it's acceptable to design according to your own preferences.
The great thing about bathroom remodeling jobs is that they don't need to be extensive. New paint, upgraded toilets and nice shower heads give homeowners the best bang for their buck. When a bathroom has floors and walls that are in good condition, simple strategic add-ons can skyrocket its value. When it comes to remodeling a home, popular trends change every five years. It's important for homeowners to choose timeless styles that don't lower their home's resale value in the future. Fortunately, bathrooms don't change that much; that's why they are one of the most profitable remodeling options out there.
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