We’ve said before in this series that saving energy is a way of life—and yes, that even extends to your bathroom. It’s one of the most trafficked rooms in the house, and it’s vulnerable to energy inefficiencies in some ways that might surprise you.

To help you get every room in your home as energy efficient as possible, here are a few tips for making your home’s bathroom just a little bit greener.

Bathroom Tip #1: Seal Up that Ceiling
A bathroom fan is a great way to pull moisture out of the air, but it can also cause energy loss if it isn’t properly sealed in place. In fact, that’s true for any kind of ceiling cut out—so be sure to check the light fixtures in your ceiling as well.

If you notice any gaps where the fan or lighting comes through the ceiling, be sure to seal them up properly to prevent air leakage. Otherwise, you’ve got a vulnerability where the air you’re paying to heat and cool may be escaping from your home. Here are some tips to get you started.

Bathroom Tip #2: Use Only ENERGY STAR® LED Bulbs
Good lighting in the bathroom is essential—it’s where we get ready to tackle the day, and most of us spend time in front of the mirror (maybe more than we care to admit) making sure we look our best. But if you’re not using ENERGY STAR LED bulbs, your morning routine is losing you money.

That’s because ENERGY STAR LEDs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs, and last a whole lot longer. Better yet, we’ll give you money to make the switch. So what are you waiting for?

Bathroom Tip #3: Install Flow Control Valves
Showers are a notorious place for wasting hot water. But if you’ve ever tried a low-flow showerhead, then you already know they can be frustrating—you end up spending twice as much time in the shower trying to rinse out the shampoo, and you end up using just as much hot water as with your old showerhead.

So what’s the solution? No, it’s not to shave your head—instead, we recommend flow control valves. These valves allow you to easily adjust the rate water flows, so you can use what you need. You get the benefits of a lower flow when you want less hot water, but you can still kick it up a notch when it’s time to rinse. You get the best of both worlds, and you save energy. Pretty nifty, right?

Bathroom Tip #4: Upgrade to a Heat Pump Water Heater
While we’re on the subject of hot water… Okay, so technically your water heater isn’t in your bathroom, but it still plays an important role in how you’re using energy there. And if your home is still equipped with a traditional electric tank water heater, you’re spending more money than you have to.

That’s because there’s a more efficient alternative. It’s called a heat pump water heater, and it can save you up to $300 per year over an electric tank water heater. Need another reason? How about this: Make the switch, and we’ll give you a rebate.

For other energy saving tips, or to learn more about our rebate programs, contact your Energy Advisor today.