WATER CONSERVATION
The core concept of water conservation is to use less water while producing the same desired results. Prism installs pre-rinse spray valves, faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, swimming pool covers, and high-efficiency toilets to help conserve water. Facilities that benefit the most from water conservation measures include:
Pre-rinse spray valves
Dishwashing and other kitchen tasks account for 52% of all water use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pre-rinse spray valves reduce the total amount of water necessary to clean from 3.0 to 1.6 gallons of water per minute. Most mid- to large-sized restaurants, for example, can save $100-400 per month by installing pre-rinse spray valves.
Faucet aerators
Faucet aerators introduce air into the water stream, improving flow and reducing splashing, which lowers water consumption by up to 50%. Faucet aerators are an inexpensive water conservation measure that can save businesses, on average, $8 for every 1,000 gallons of water used.
Low-flow showerheads
Low-flow showerheads reduce the rate of water flow to 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM). Low-flow showerheads are an inexpensive water conservation measure that can reduce the amount of water used between 25-60% while providing the same cleaning power.
Swimming pool covers
Swimming pool covers reduce water evaporation—the leading source of energy loss for both indoor and outdoor pools. Up to 70% of a swimming pool’s energy can be lost from evaporation. When water evaporates, it draws heat out from the pool, which signals the heat pump to reheat the pool’s temperature setpoint, consuming a significant amount of energy. For every pound of 80°F evaporated, 1,048 BTUs of energy is lost. When indoor pool water is evaporated, it can create excess humidity, signaling the makeup air unit to replace the space with fresh air, which can account for an additional 27% energy loss.
Pool covers reduce lost energy from evaporation and ambient heat loss, which can save between 50-70 percent in energy costs. Additional benefits of pool covers include:
- Water conservation between 30-50%
- Reduced chemical consumption between 35-60%
- Reduced cleaning time
High-efficiency toilets
Bathroom consumption varies from facility to facility. In buildings with a high volume of occupants, such as colleges or office buildings, high-efficiency toilets have a greater impact on water conservation and energy savings. High-efficiency toilets save between 20-50 percent of the water used, compared to a standard toilet. The important aspect of calculating energy savings for a facility is not by the number of toilets, but by the frequency of use for each. Data unique to the facility will determine if some or all of the toilet fixtures should be upgraded, based on a cost-benefit analysis.