A Green Future For Plumbing
By Eva-Marie Fox
Published in the March 2009 Edition of The Wholesaler
Low-flow faucets, aerators and spray valves can help contribute to two of the five categories of performance under the LEED rating system — Water Efficiency and Materials and Resources.
Water conservation, sustainability and the green movement are not new concepts, but they are certainly here to stay. As "going green" to protect the environment is quickly becoming a top priority, managing operating cost remains as great of a concern for business owners. The way we use water on a daily basis, either domestically or industrially, has a significant impact on our wallets and the environment. Understanding how changing habits — and the plumbing products that are installed — can save money and improve water efficiency.
The Facts On Conserving Water
Chances are that you live in a state or region that has recently or is currently facing a water shortage. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, at least 36 states are anticipating water shortages on a local, regional or statewide level by 2013. And because of this shortage, it is no surprise that water is becoming more costly, as it takes a substantial amount of time and energy to treat and deliver usable water. U.S. public water supply and treatment facilities use nearly 56 billion kilowatt hours annually. That equates to the amount of electricity needed to power over 5 million households for a whole year. (WaterSense)
The way that we use water on a day-to-day basis is classified into four different categories: domestic, agricultural, power plant and industrial/mining. Typically, all commercial, residential and public use falls under the domestic category and accounts for the greatest percentage of water withdrawn from public supply systems. In the building and renovation industries — and more specifically plumbing — there are sev- eral green product solutions and resources that can help protect the environment and save money at the same time. According to WaterSense, if all homes in North America switched to water-efficient appliances, the U.S. would save over 3 trillion gallons of water and more than $18 billion a year.
The fundamentals are basic. Saving water saves money. Not only do you save by spending less on the amount of water used, but by saving energy that is used to heat the water. Additionally, by using less water, it reduces the amount of water processed through treatment facilities, thus resulting in less energy demanded. Furthermore, as the general population continues to grow, so does demand. From 1950-2000, the U.S. pop- ulation nearly doubled, while the public demand for water has more than tripled. This presents a major issue for the future and validates the importance of promoting sustainable programs and water-efficient products.
National Environmental Organizations
Water and Energy Conservation Resources:
Leading the green movement and sustainable practices are organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council, Alliance for Water Efficiency and the EPA. They are making tremendous strides by educating the public, promoting green practices and supporting federal legislation that promotes sustainability. New laws and regulations affect plumbing installation requirements and are challenging manufacturers and businesses to provided low-flow, efficient product solutions.
USGBC
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program was created by the USGBC to serve as a benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. For new construction, LEED -certified buildings are quickly becoming the standard, because they cost less to operate and maintain, are healthier places to live and work in and conserve natural resources. Under a very specific rating system, new and existing buildings can receive different levels of recognition depending on the amount of points received. Although plumbing fixtures and fittings cannot be LEED certified, they can contribute to the credits needed to receive the esteemed building certification. Low-flow faucets, aerators and spray valves are all products that can help contribute to two of the five categories of performance under the LEED rating system — Water Efficiency and Materials and Resources.
Alliance for Water Efficiency
The AWE serves as the North American advocate for water efficient products and programs, and provides information and assistance on water conservation efforts. Advising the new presidential administration, the AWE created a positioning paper, titled Transforming Water: Water Efficiency as Stimulus and Long-term Investment. This paper's intent is to demonstrate that sustainable programs provide several environmental and economic benefits, from green job creation to water savings.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Supported by the EPA and other federal agencies, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) was signed into law to promote energy-efficiency by offering consumers and businesses federal tax credits for purchasing energy efficient products and appliances. Look for plumbing products that are EPA ct 2005 compliant and save water, energy and money.
Low-flow faucets, aerators and spray valves can help contribute to two of the five categories of performance under the LEED rating system — Water Efficiency and Materials and Resources.
Water Conservation Plumbing Solutions
From aerators and ceramic cartridges Water conservation adds up, with one aspect of water savings compounding another. to low-flow and electronic faucets, there are several plumbing fixture fittings that are engineered and manufactured today to deliver water efficiency, while maintaining reliability. Other products, such as low-flow toilets and waterless urinals can also deliver similar benefits. When first introduced into the marketplace several years ago, water-conserving equipment was associated with performance and reliability problems. Over the years, manufacturing engineers have worked out these issues and have improved efficiency.
When selecting water conserving equipment, it is important to find quality products that meet conservation requirements without compromising performance. The product should deliver the consistent flow required, while maintaining the water and energy savings the industry demands. For example, electronic faucets are manufactured to come equipped with several water-conserving options. Features include adjustable temperature control mixing valve, 2.2 GPM vandal-resistant aerators, and electric plug-in (AC or battery (DC)) power options. In addition to saving water, they can also improve hygiene by reducing the risk of contamination. Tests conducted (by T&S Brass) have shown that by switching to an electronic faucet from traditional faucets can save almost $3,000 a year in a facility with heavy water use, such as an airport, large hotel or university.
It is inevitable that the future of plumbing is green. Fortunately, through a wide variety of water-conserving products, going green is easier than ever before.
A member of the USGBC, T&S Brass manufactures thousands of customizable plumbing products that provide water and energy savings. For information about water conservation and water-efficient www.tsbrass.com.
