Energy conservation in the plumbing industry can be facilitated by the proper selection of materials before a project is built. Many manufacturers are reducing the use of raw materials by using recycled materials during the production process. Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company, for example, offers cast iron soil pipe and fittings that are made from 100% post-consumer recycled material. This prevents more than 350 million pounds of scrap iron and steel from entering landfills, annually.
Charlotte also utilizes recycled content in plastic pipe and fittings, products which are uniquely referred to as RePVC. The recycled content makes up 20-80% of the overall wall thickness in this pipe. Use of recycled goods not only reduces the demand for new raw materials, it also reduces the energy that would have been consumed in acquiring those materials and manufacturing the product.
Increasing water efficiency is another focus of the plumbing industry. Today, manufacturers such as Zurn and Kohler continue to develop innovative ways to reduce the use of potable water while eliminating the need for battery replacement in sensor faucets. One highlight in this area includes Zurn’s Energy Efficient Hydro-Electric Power Generator faucet. This faucet application generates power only while the faucet is in use which may save as many as 40 batteries per faucet over a 10 year period, and also reduces the use of water through sensor operation.
Kohler has introduced a faucet with a 30 year battery which also reduces the number of battery replacements and use of water with sensor operation. Both of these applications contribute to water conservation by reducing water usage with sensor technology and eliminating the energy costs that would have been spent to manufacture batteries for replacement.
ConServ Building Services, LLC provides excellent commercial HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, and general construction services to businesses across the Southeastern United States. To learn more about ConServ, visit www.conservonline.com.