One of the hardest things for me to give up in my eco-concious lifestyle is long hot baths. So I’ve found a way to justify my luxury.
In the winter time, when I indulge in a bath I leave the hot water in the tub when I’m finished. The heat from the water dissipates into the house and it also helps to humidify that super dry winter air. I also use some of the “grey water” for cleaning and for watering house plants once it cools.
The way I figure it, for the same amount of hot water, I can indulge in an hour long bath instead of a 10 minute shower. And I’m not just letting all of that heat go down the drain. It’s even better if you turn off all of the lights and bathe by candle light. That’s an hour spent in complete self-indulgence with no TV, computer, stereo or lights burning electricity!
This post was submitted by Rebecca Miklich.
thanks for posting this article! I just had the same idea about letting the water sit after i was done to heat up the house instead of the drain pipe:)
Comment by Michael McCreary — September 29, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
OK… I’m posting this as a followup. No sooner did I post this tip than I was forced to break my own rule! One of my new kittens accidentally fell into the full bathtub and wasn’t big enough to get out on his own. Fortunately I was right there to rescue him, but I fear I’m going to have to put this idea on hold at least until the kittens get a little big bigger. Maybe I’ll try shutting the bathroom door and leaving the water to cool for a few hours. Won’t be as efficient that way, but safer for the kitties.
So if you have anyone in your household for whom a bathtub full of water could be a deadly trap, you might want to hold off of this one or at least use caution!
Comment by Rebecca Miklich — October 2, 2009 @ 9:44 pm