When it comes to reducing energy costs, cutting back on water consumption has to be high on the list of any retail, industrial, hotel, or foodservice operator. In fact, Green Hotelier suggests that taps, toilets and showers contribute to approximately 30-40% of a hotel’s water consumption! That’s a lot of water, and a lot of room for energy-savings that will otherwise be flushed down the toilet without cause.
Reduce water use with low-flow technology
What can you do to reduce water use at your hotel? USA Landlord claims that replacing faucet aerators and investing in low-flow showerheads is the most affordable way for commercial or institutional buildings to save on water.
Replacing existing showerheads and faucets may seem tedious but in fact, the amount your hotel stands to save on energy costs will make it all worthwhile. According to the InterContinental Hotels Group, the Holiday Inn hotel in Finders, Australia was able to cut water usage by 50% after making an initial investment in low-flow technology of $19,500 and seeing a payback period of only 18 months. Travel Lodge also suggests that using aerated showerheads and taps can reduce your water consumption by 50%, leading to enormous savings in terms of energy costs.
Low-flow, energy saving purchasing tips
When it comes to choosing low-flow showerheads and faucets, keep an eye out for these three designs: needle, aerated and laminar. A good thing to keep in mind when purchasing low-flow technology is to invest in units with the lowest gpm (gallon per minute); the lower the gpm, the lower the flow.
According to the DoE, you should choose a showerhead with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute) but if you really want to be efficient, even that is too high. Most standard aerators have a flow of 2.2 gpm, but aerators exist on the market that have a flow-rate of anywhere from 0.5-1.5 gpm which help lessen energy costs as less water is being heated in the bathrooms.
Consider replacing older faucets and showerheads that may have higher flow-rates than those currently being integrated into most bathrooms. Aerators are inexpensive to replace and take less than 5 minutes per unit.
Questions about low-flow technology? Drop us a line! We’d love to hear from you.
Interested in learning more about how to save money on energy-efficient equipment as a member of the retail, industrial, foodservice and accommodation sectors? Find great rebates and incentives for your business.
image credit: homespot hq
