Water conservation is an often overlooked factor in climate change. According to the chief executive of the Environment Agency, England is at a high risk of facing water shortage within 25 years. In order to address these concerns, the London Climate Change Adaptation Strategy has made acommitment to water neutrality, targeting zero net increase in the demand for water as the population grows.
Businesses use 20% of the total water put into public supply – a significant amount considering the current threats facing water conservation. As commercial buildings such as hotels, leisure centres and offices continue to welcome back guests following the lifting of lockdown, not only do facilities managers have an opportunity to conserve more water and improve their efficiency levels, but they can also look to enhance the user experience at the same time.
A Cost-Saving Solution
COVID-19 has prompted a renewed focus on the in-room experience, and one effective way in which facilities managers can contribute to this is through adopting innovative water flow technology. By retrofitting water flow regulators in commercial buildings, facilities managers can optimise water flow and prevent wastage for businesses. Not only does a stable and reliable supply reduce bills, but it also improves user experience, by minimising temperature fluctuation and retaining consistent pressure levels.
According to Mark Sait, CEO, SaveMoneyCutCarbon, it makes good business sense to invest in energy efficiency at a time when energy bills continue to rise. Owners of commercial buildings should be aiming to invest in solutions which save them costs in the future, and water flow regulators – which provide long term reliability and efficiency – are a wise choice for facilities managers.
Water flow regulators maintain the water flow at a specified rate, even during pressure fluctuations throughout the supply line and continue to optimise water consumption throughout the year, regardless of high demands in peak times. The technology is an ideal solution to cutting costs on high water bills and can begin saving money right from the moment it is installed.
Furthermore, retrofitted water flow regulators only require small pipework, creating low capital costs. Combined with strong return on investment (ROI) provided over the long term, this technology provides a highly cost effective solution for facilities managers.
Improved User Experience
For many hotel visitors, a big bathroom with a powerful shower can make a significant difference in the overall guest experience. Conversely, a weak shower with unstable water flow and fluctuating temperatures can ruin someone’s stay.
A common challenge that facilities managers encounter comes through water pressure. It is often the case that guests who are staying in rooms located nearer the water pump might experience high pressure, but it depletes as water reaches rooms that are further away. By balancing their internal position, water flow regulators let an optimal amount of water through with stable pressure consistently. At the time of increased flow, the regulators shrink the size of the valve and broaden it at the time of low pressure. As a result, water is released in a stable flow – providing an optimal user experience.
Water Efficient Choice
According to gov.uk, if not taken seriously, water stress can lead to water scarcity, and could displace an estimated 700 million people by 2030. Facilities managers can support the government by taking innovative steps aimed towards water efficiency.
Water flow technology creates an environmentally friendly output. It not only saves water through regulation, but also the energy used to heat the water. In turn, this also reduces CO2 emissions as reduced water consumption leads to reduced emissions, making water flow regulators an ideal long-term solution for commercial buildings, where water is used in large volumes. Retrofitted upgrades are both wallet and planet friendly.
Addressing the customers’ disrupted experiences with the water flow and environmental concerns, facilities managers can recommend retrofitted water flow regulators to businesses by making them aware of the cost-effectiveness of the technology. By appropriate use of this technology customers and environment both can be taken care of whilst saving on expensive bills.
In an ever increasingly competitive landscape, there is more focus than ever on improving efficiencies wherever possible. Not only do water flow regulators provide a highly reliable and cost-effective solution to water pressure and temperature fluctuation, but they also provide businesses with an environmentally friendly approach to their water output.
Author: Steve Wilkinson, Head of Commercial Projects at Cenergist
