How Facilities Managers Can Implement Water Saving Solutions With These Simple Additions
By Derek Aaronson, CEO of Hart Home Group.
There’s no doubt that utility costs can easily spiral out of control and can often be inconsistent throughout the year. Although energy and heating costs are usually the first to be analysed, looking at water saving can be one of the easiest, and cheapest ways to save not only money but water and energy as well.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to save water is by installing aerators on all taps. Aerators work by steadying the flow of the water which not only saves water but also provides a more pleasurable water experience, especially with showers. They also help to reduce the amount of water used and can even help to minimise pollutants in the atmosphere, helping with infection control. Perfect for use in small spaces.
By simply installing aerators on taps you can expect water and energy savings of up to 60% in a year. In fact, if you reduce the flow rate from 10 litres per minute to 4 litres, for example, then you save 60% immediately. That’s a huge amount and a benefit to not only water saving but also energy costs as the energy used to heat the water reduces thanks to the reduced amount of water you need to heat.
Adding an aerator to an older tap can also reduce water usage from 15 litres of water per minute to as little at 6 litres of water per minute. Add onto that your energy savings and it can be possible to see a significant reduction in both bills, meaning you are not only reducing costs but also helping to save the planet.
This is of particular use and benefit in hospitality venues, gyms or large offices with multiple toilet or shower facilities. A saving of over 60% across an entire building in a year can make a significant impact on rate reduction. If supported by eco-friendly heating alternatives for water heating like heat pumps or solar, energy and water rates can become almost non-existent. It is this combined approach which delivers the highest level of savings but does require more modern upgrades across the building which is why many companies are yet to take the leap to eco alternatives as it would mean ripping out entire heating systems.
Luckily, an aerator can be installed on even older style taps in just a few minutes meaning an entire building with multiple facilities could start benefitting from savings in under a day. And there’s no worry of inconsistent temperature either if coupled with a product such as Thermassure, an anti-scald tap, will mean taps can be used safely and deliver a consistent temperature with no risk of scalding.
Aerators also benefit smaller spaces, where water is at a premium like trains and mobile washrooms can heavily benefit from the installation of aerators so should be a consideration.
Furthermore, if you can combine this with the use to sensor taps, you can heavily reduce the amount of wasted water, as this means no more taps being left on for hours and boilers firing up to heat the water no one is using. Sensor taps are also more easily accessible to all without the need for tricky handles to turn on or off.
Where showers are installed, complete shower heads aim to reduce the flow rate which reduce not only energy costs for heating the water used but also the amount of water used itself. To further reduce water usage, you can also fit an aerator delivering further water saving and heating costs.
To conclude, if you’re looking to save money on your rates, and let’s be honest, who isn’t, water saving should be your number one avenue to explore. There is lots of help available and installation is quick and easy.
For more information on water saving appliances please visit www.notjusttaps.co.uk/watercontrols-saving-solutions
Derek Aaronson is the CEO of Hart Home Group, the umbrella company for three retail websites; NotJustTaps, Lime Kitchen and Bathroom and Hart Plumbing Spares.
https://www.harthomeinteriors.co.uk/
