FacilityCare March/April 2011 : Page 33
I NDUSTRY EXPERTS ANSWER YOUR FACILITY MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS A SK Water Conservation What are the benefits of and ROI on water-con-serving faucets? P.R., Tucson, Ariz. Statistics show that, on average, each American uses more than 70 gallons of water per day. While most of that water consumption takes place in restrooms, healthcare facilities – many of which are 24/7 operations – drive up that number even more, since water use in these facilities can range from 68,750 to 298,013 gal-lons per year per bed, according to the non-prof-it organization Practice Greenhealth. Leaking faucets add to this water consump-tion, which is literally water – and money – down the drain. One leaking faucet can waste up to 1,000 gallons of water per week, which translates into losing more than $300 per year, according to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. In addition, consider that a leak that produces one drop of water every second equals 3,000 gallons per year (or 36 gal-lons per day), and a small stream of water is equivalent to 60,000 gallons per year. The plumbing industry has made huge strides in developing water-saving technology in the past 10 years that curbs water use and saves money in the process. Today’s touchless fixtures can save up to 30 percent of an average commercial facility’s water consumption, since water shuts off automatically when a user’s presence is no longer detected. These motion-sensitive fixtures are a significant advance from earlier water-saving faucets that provide flow only when a lever is pushed. Looking at flow-rate is also key. Metered faucets have a flow-rate limit of 0.25 gallon per cycle (gpc), with flow-rate being defined as the amount of water used during each activation. Depending on local codes, water used by lava-tories varies from 2.2 to 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm), with many public restrooms using just 0.5 gpm. This is all important because when a facility reduces water consumption, it reduces sewer charges, which can be one-third to two times the cost of the water, depending on local rates. Also, minimizing hot-water use reduces utility charges, since less energy is required to heat the water. Utility savings from the installation of sensor faucets can generate ROI within just one to three years, depending on the cost of the faucets and the amount of water savings achieved. So what can healthcare facility managers do to take advantage of this water-saving and cost-saving technology? Replacing older faucet models with water-conserving technology sooner rather than later is a good idea. Keep in mind that some hand washing technologies even go beyond the 0.5 gpm requirement, offering a water-conserving 0.38 gpm faucet. Note that municipalities offer incentive pro-grams (rebates/tax credits) to businesses that replace plumbing fixtures and appliances with water-efficient models. Some municipalities offer retrofit kits for businesses that may con-tain low-flow faucet aerators, high-efficiency showerheads, leak detection tablets and replacement valves. An energy/water audit is another common starting point for facility managers. This incor-porates working with a trained engineer to evaluate present equipment, alternatives avail-able, estimated water and cost savings, and the cost/benefit of undertaking specific water-con-serving strategies. Reducing a facility’s water consumption with newer faucet technology not only will help save a scarce natural resource, it will reduce utility costs as well. Also, by using the latest and more advanced plumbing technology, facilities reap the benefits of using generally higher-quality equipment, thereby reducing maintenance headaches and costs. F RYAN PFUND Bradley Corporation Our Expert Panel Ryan Pfund is product manager, faucets, security and valves, for Bradley Corporation of Menomonee Falls, Wis., a USGBC member and manufacturer of locker room products, plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories, partitions and emergency fixtures. M ARCH /A PRIL 2011 facilitycare.com F ACILITY C ARE | 33 THE E XPERTS
Ask The Experts
Water Conservation<br /> <br /> What are the benefits of and ROI on water-conserving faucets?<br /> <br /> Statistics show that, on average, each American uses more than 70 gallons of water per day. While most of that water consumption takes place in restrooms, healthcare facilities – many of which are 24/7 operations – drive up that number even more, since water use in these facilities can range from 68,750 to 298,013 gallons per year per bed, according to the non-profit organization Practice Greenhealth.<br /> <br /> Leaking faucets add to this water consumption, which is literally water – and money – down the drain. One leaking faucet can waste up to 1,000 gallons of water per week, which translates into losing more than $300 per year, according to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. In addition, consider that a leak that produces one drop of water every second equals 3,000 gallons per year (or 36 gallons per day), and a small stream of water is equivalent to 60,000 gallons per year.<br /> <br /> The plumbing industry has made huge strides in developing water-saving technology in the past 10 years that curbs water use and saves money in the process. Today’s touchless fixtures can save up to 30 percent of an average commercial facility’s water consumption, since water shuts off automatically when a user’s presence is no longer detected. These motionsensitive fixtures are a significant advance from earlier water-saving faucets that provide flow only when a lever is pushed.<br /> <br /> Looking at flow-rate is also key. Metered faucets have a flow-rate limit of 0.25 gallon per Cycle (gpc), with flow-rate being defined as the amount of water used during each activation.<br /> <br /> Depending on local codes, water used by lavatories varies from 2.2 to 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm), with many public restrooms using just0. 5 gpm.<br /> <br /> This is all important because when a facility reduces water consumption, it reduces sewer charges, which can be one-third to two times the cost of the water, depending on local rates.Also, minimizing hot-water use reduces utility charges, since less energy is required to heat the water. Utility savings from the installation of sensor faucets can generate ROI within just one to three years, depending on the cost of the faucets and the amount of water savings achieved.<br /> <br /> So what can healthcare facility managers do to take advantage of this water-saving and costsaving technology?<br /> <br /> Replacing older faucet models with waterconserving technology sooner rather than later Is a good idea. Keep in mind that some hand washing technologies even go beyond the 0.5 gpm requirement, offering a water-conserving 0. 38 gpm faucet.<br /> <br /> Note that municipalities offer incentive programs (rebates/tax credits) to businesses that replace plumbing fixtures and appliances with water-efficient models. Some municipalities offer retrofit kits for businesses that may contain low-flow faucet aerators, high-efficiency showerheads, leak detection tablets and replacement valves.<br /> <br /> An energy/water audit is another common starting point for facility managers. This incorporates working with a trained engineer to evaluate present equipment, alternatives available, estimated water and cost savings, and the cost/benefit of undertaking specific water-conserving strategies.<br /> <br /> Reducing a facility’s water consumption with newer faucet technology not only will help save a scarce natural resource, it will reduce utility costs as well. Also, by using the latest and more advanced plumbing technology, facilities reap the benefits of using generally higher-quality equipment, thereby reducing maintenance headaches and costs.
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