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Green Bathrooms
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It is a fact that bathrooms are going green.
But don’t worry; this is not a revival of the ubiquitous Avocado and Pampas hues which were prominent in bathrooms of the 1970s!
No, this is a sign of the increasing need for bathroom manufacturers to respond to the rising demand for sustainable, water efficient and energy efficient bathrooms.
Consumers are becoming more ‘eco-savvy.’ They are looking at reducing their domestic water and energy bills, and they are looking to help the environment. Spurred on by the rising demand, members of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) have risen to the challenge and have introduced products which, only a few years ago, would not have been thought possible.
Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the BMA explains. “There has been a lot of pressure on consumers in recent years to reduce the amount of water they use. The government wants individuals to reduce their average water consumption from about 150 litres per day to 120 litres per day. It is also looking for new sustainable homes to be built which require a meagre 80 litres per person per day. Members of the BMA are using modern technology to develop and manufacture sparkling new bathroom products which go a long way towards helping reduce consumption.”

Low flush WCs
The WC has, for a long time, been regarded as the bad boy in the bathroom. The average WC in the UK consumes around 9 litres of water per flush. Of the 45 million WCs installed in the UK seven million still flush with a massive 13 litres*.
It is only since 2001 when the most recent Water Regulations took effect that any newly-installed WC must, by law, flush at a maximum 6 litres. Some dual flush WCs flush with 6 or 4 litres – an “effective” average of 4.5 litres.
In the last couple of years members of the BMA have anticipated an impending review of the Water Regulations and have developed ground breaking ultra low flush WCs. They have completely redesigned the shape of the toilet rim, the bowl and the sump and have produced toilets which flush using just 4 litres. Some have a dual flush option with a 4 litre long flush and 2.6 short flush - this represents an “effective” flush of just 3 litres, a 60% saving on the UK average.
These new WCs suites are stylish and contemporary and usually command no premium pricing.
Low volume baths
Baths, too, have come a long way in recent times. Although showers are more popular than ever and are a real water saving alternative to the “tub” consumers still love a good stress busting soak and the bath is set to be around for a very long time yet. Water consumption has therefore been a recent priority for bath tub designers.
The capacity of a bath is determined by the amount of water it contains measured to the bottom edge of its overflow. The maximum allowed in law (without requiring special permission from the local water authority) is 230 litres. With special internal shaping some modern eco-friendly baths require less than 140 litres and yet still provide a comfortable and satisfying bathing experience.
Showers with green credentials
The shower has always been regarded as the low volume alternative to the bath. But research is proceeding at an increasing pace to reduce the water requirements even further.
Some members of the BMA now produce showers units with special showerheads which cleverly blend air with water. The result is a satisfying and refreshing shower which uses less water than ever before. These eco-friendly showerheads can save as much as 75% of the water used compared with a traditional handset, even at the same water pressure.
Thermostatic mixer showers ensure that hot water is not wasted since the temperature of the water flow can be set to suit the individual. Some digital showers can even be set to switch off after a set period.
Instantaneous electric showers have eco credentials too. They are great water and energy savers. They heat water as it is required and a typical 9.8 kW shower uses around 10 litres per minute maximum.
Low flow taps
Clever low flow taps are now available with a special click-stop action. These single lever products with ceramic disc internal valves give both an audible and tactile click action indicating to the user full or reduced water flow.
Furthermore some products are now available with a built in temperature limiter which can be set by the plumber during installation to reduce the risk of scalding.
Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme
These innovative and super-efficient bathroom products not only save water but they save energy too. Less hot water usage means less energy consumption and a lower carbon footprint. Some have been awarded the “WaterWise Marque” recognising their green credentials.
“It is an interesting time” says Orgill. “Developments in water saving bathroom products by BMA members are coming to market really quickly now. The industry is responding to the increasing need for green bathrooms.”
Products which meet strict eco criteria are listed in the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme. The scheme, administered by the BMA, and developed by bathroom industry experts, has become the principal resource database for anyone wishing to purchase water efficient bathroom products.
The key to the scheme is that only those products which fully conform with strict criteria can be registered and displayed in the database. Six hundred products in five categories are listed and almost twenty manufacturers support the scheme. Discussions on further enhancement of the Scheme are well underway with announcements on new categories imminent.
The scheme can be found via the BMA’s website at www.bathroom-association.org or directly at www.water-efficiency.org.uk
* Government statistics

Further Information
For further information please email info@bathroom-association.org.uk or
telephone 01782 747123 and visit www.bathroom-association.org
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