A crucial part of running any successful business is finding ways to reduce your overhead, and this includes your plumbing expenses, like your water bill each month. Thankfully, advancements in plumbing are making it easy to accomplish this goal.
Saving Money and Water Starts With Regular Audits
One of the easiest ways to save money on commercial plumbing is to see where you’re currently wasting water and energy. And the best way to do this is with regular comprehensive water audits. If you know your kitchen pre-rinse sprays are using more water than they need to be, you can upgrade them to reduce the company’s daily water use.
A plumber will take a close look at your building’s water and waste systems, including the entire piping infrastructure and irrigation systems. If there are any leaks, these need to be fixed right away so they don’t keep wasting water and skyrocketing your monthly bills.
Getting the leaks fixed is also paramount to preventing mold growth and other issues that impact the structural stability of the commercial building. Otherwise, you’ll run into major safety and health hazards in addition to expensive water bills. The last thing you want is for your customers and employees to be breathing in mold spores because of a hidden leak.
Installing Energy-Efficient Fixtures
When was the last time you updated the fixtures and appliances in your commercial space? If it’s been more than 10 to 15 years, you could be missing out on huge savings, especially if you’re not using low-flow fixtures.
Take a dual-flush toilet as an example. This type has two flushing options: one that uses less water and works great for liquid waste and another that uses more water and is ideal for solid waste. These toilets are known to provide savings of up to 20% or more on monthly water expenses.
Sensor-activated faucets work great for saving water and money, too; they do this by making sure the water only flows when it’s actually needed. An employee or customer simply puts their hand under the faucet, and it turns on. When it no longer detects someone using it, it automatically turns the water off.
Here are the many different types of fixtures that are available in low-flow options:
- Toilets
- Urinals
- Faucets
- Showerheads
- Sink aerators
- Pre-rinse spray valves
- Handwashing stations
- Bottle-filling stations
- Commercial dishwashers
- Commercial ice makers
Upgrading Your Pipes
The pipes in your commercial plumbing are much more likely to contribute to higher water bills if they’re outdated. Maybe you’re using pipes made out of galvanized steel or polybutylene; both of these materials are considered outdated and especially prone to leaks and wasting water. If you upgrade the pipes with a new material, like PEX or copper, they will hold up better while requiring less maintenance. Plus, the system will have less friction in it; this means the building will enjoy better water pressure, which can make a huge difference in your productivity levels when you’re carrying out your daily operations.
Hiring a licensed plumber is the smartest way to see where your commercial plumbing could benefit from upgrades. And you don’t have to tackle every upgrade recommendation all at once. Just replacing your outdated fixtures with low-flow models can provide noticeable changes in your monthly water usage and water bills. Scheduling the upgrades in phases is an excellent way to spread out the costs while still enjoying long-term savings and improved efficiency. Contact us at Gordon AC & Plumbing in Monroe, LA for reliable, prompt commercial plumbing services.
