Environmental consciousness is a big topic in today’s industries. Not only is this value an important part of our duty to the community, but in many ways, it can help businesses reduce their long-term facility costs. The less you use, the less you spend, which is why MaintenX encourages all of our clients to work on creating eco-friendly facility systems throughout. One of the easiest ways to do this is by implementing environmentally friendly plumbing.
Below are five different ways your facility can reduce water usage and improve the efficiency of your plumbing. Have questions? Contact your local MaintenX team about installation options for these green technologies.
Install an energy-efficient water heater.
Water heaters use quite a bit of energy in commercial settings, especially if the unit is older or out of date. This can not only increase your water usage, but will increase your energy bill if left alone. MaintenX offers several different installation options for tankless and energy-efficient hot water heater options for commercial facilities.
Insulate Your pipes
In most commercial buildings in the Northern United States, people insulate their pipes to prevent freezing. However, this practice can be brought to any facility to improve energy efficiency and reduce water loss through leaks. When you insulate your pipes, they are protected from damage caused by roots and chewing pests that often lead to your most problematic leaks. Plus, insulation will minimize the time it takes for water to heat up when using faucets, which will reduce water usage in bathrooms and facility kitchens.
Install low-flow faucets and other bathroom fixtures
Low-flow toilets, sinks, and other appliances are a great way to minimize water usage in your facility. Depending on the size of the building, you could be using twice as much water as a residential building in the bathroom alone. Low-flow toilets and faucets are a simple way to cut back on water consumption without having to make major changes to your plumbing.
Eco-friendly landscaping irrigation
Landscaping accounts for nearly 30% of water usage in America, and the primary culprit is commercial landscaping. While you still want to maintain a healthy and lush outdoor area, there are ways to reduce your water usage by installing efficient irrigation systems. Drip systems and eco-friendly sprinklers will optimize watering to ensure only the needed amount is used. You won’t have to worry about over-watering or wasting water with these systems in place.
A leak monitoring device
Water leaks are detrimental to these eco-friendly plumbing measures. Unfortunately, they can be hard to detect until significant water damage is caused. MaintenX recommends installing a leak monitoring system to help identify these issues and repair them as soon as possible. This will significantly reduce water waste and keep your bills under control.