Sophie Weston, Marketing Manager at Geberit, takes a look at water-saving solutions to consider.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, bathroom showers, toilets, baths and washbasins consume more than two-thirds (68%) of household water. This makes the bathroom the ideal place to start when trying to reduce water usage. With that in mind, here are our top tips for builders looking to incorporate water-saving products into their development:
Water-saving WCs
It’s estimated that an average household uses more than 33 litres of water from flushing every day, so introducing dual flush technology is the most effective way to reduce water consumption. Manufacturers are increasingly producing dual flush plates, which have the added functionality of a ‘low’ flush option, reducing water usage even further with every flush.
However, water-saving cisterns are only the first step. Maintenance and upkeep are essential. The integrity of washers in valves and flat rubber seals can degrade over years of usage so remind your customers to check their WCs for running water in the bowl when the toilet has not been flushed. In fact, water charity Water Wise estimates that between five and eight per cent of UK households have appliances which leak due to lack of maintenance, particularly the WC.
Taps with built-in technology
At Geberit, we believe that sustainability starts with design and, therefore, consider this in every product we create, because even small changes in the bathroom can have a significant impact on a property’s water consumption. For instance, brassware with built-in water-saving technology offers better control of water usage.
Infrared taps that are proximity-activated eliminate the risk of accidentally leaving the water flowing. Taps fitted with this technology will usually halt the water even for the briefest of absences, such as when brushing teeth.
Showers and baths that save
To reduce water usage in the shower without compromising on performance, consider fitting showers with a regulator or aerator. An aerator combines air with water to give the feeling of power while regulators place an upper limit on flow rates.
Despite a shower using less water than a bath, people still like the choice. Manufacturers are continuing to develop space-saving tubs with a lower water capacity, providing the perfect option for saving water while still enjoying the occasional soak.
Commercial water-saving solutions
Water saving in homes is important. However, projects with higher footfall areas are just as essential in the bid to tackle water wastage. For commercial washroom projects, specifying the right urinal system can offer real water-saving opportunities. Manufacturers are now incorporating innovations such as different operation modes, with associated low operation and maintenance costs. For example, Geberit manufactures an integrated urinal flush control which can be operated using three power supply variants, while flushing out the urinal ceramic appliance with 0.5 litres per flush.
Additionally, some urinal systems incorporate a water-saving flush function and proximity flushes, making it ideal for heavy footfall washrooms. Flushing time is decreased when user frequency increases – so, for instance, the pre-set flush time is halved when another user approaches the urinal within one minute after the most recent flushing. Flow rate can also be reduced by changing the duration of the flush.
For more information on Geberit visit Geberit – European market leader for sanitary products.
