Shower power: Australian bathrooms are wasting energy and increasing your costs

Experts say 'bare minimum' building codes and a lack of interest from builders are making Australian bathrooms less energy-efficientGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastA long shower at the end of the day might be a relaxing escape from reality, but there is a reason to stay alert. Energy efficiency experts say the way Australian bathrooms are being built will drain your wallet - and the environment.Alan Pears, a senior industry fellow at RMIT who helped develop Australia's appliance energy star ratings, describes showers as "almost perfectly designed to waste energy and make you feel uncomfortable". He says bathrooms lack "basic design principles" and are often cold and poorly ventilated, which exacerbates hot water use.Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...