When most of us think of energy-efficiency, we think of energy consumption in the form of lighting, air conditioning, and appliance use. However, how often do you think about the energy-efficiency of your plumbing? This major source of water use can be detrimental to your conservation efforts if you neglect to add it in your maintenance planning. Below, we’ll look at some of the ways in which you can make your plumbing more energy efficient and affordable.
Energy conservation is not only the way of the future (to protect our natural resources and wildlife) but it can also be a major cost-cutting measure. The less you use, the less you have to pay for, which is why so many companies are looking to tighten their energy and water use every year. Plumbing is a major contributor to consumption, so it’s important to take it into consideration when making these cost-cutting measures.
Ask yourself these questions to determine whether you are maximizing your plumbing performance and efficiency:
Is your piping insulated?
Pipe insulation is low-cost and very common in cold climates, but it has uses in every commercial plumbing system. Plumbing insulation reduces leakage, therefore reducing the need for repairs due to corrosion. Insulation also reduces the transfer of heat out of your piping, which will allow your hot water heater to maximize performance.
Do you have low-flow or dual-flush toilets installed?
Low-flow toilets are designed to reduce the amount of water used for your toilets by 20% or more. They work just as well as traditional toilets but can cut energy costs significantly, just like dual flush oilers. Dual-flush designs have separate flush systems for liquids and solid waste, which can account for further water conservation.
Do you use energy-efficient water heaters?
Hot water heaters come in many shapes and sizes.Selecting the right one for your facility can make a major impact in energy use when it comes to plumbing. Some high-efficiency boilers, for example, can reduce energy needs by up to 90% through a process of water condensation and reuse. Tankless water heaters can also reduce energy use and last longer than traditional heaters. Talk to your MaintenX technicians to see if these are an option for you. .
Energy-efficiency is a bottom-up effort that requires participation from everyone on the facility maintenance team. At MaintenX, we pride ourselves in our commitment to customer satisfaction and long-term care. We help our clients choose the right equipment and services to not only reduce their emergency maintenance needs, but to reduce their energy use as well.
Contact us today for more information!
