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Smart water use in buildings makes for cleaner future for all


Paul Winnett, sales director, building services & OEM at Xylem Water Solutions UK & Ireland, outlines the latest water tech developments that can cut energy bills now while futureproofing systems for tomorrow


W


e all have a responsibility to make a Net Zero carbon future a reality – but there is a strong financial motivation as well as


an ethical incentive. Installing more sustainable water solutions can not only save energy and operating costs for buildings today, but these smart options guarantee resilience for the future. With nearly one in three buildings older than 50


years and roughly 75% of the EU building stock deemed energy-inefficient, renovating existing buildings offers the opportunity to lower total carbon emissions by about 5%. In fact, experts say boosting renovation rates is crucial to achieving carbon-neutral buildings. This article outlines just some of the ways in which


retrofitted updates to building systems can harness the power of energy-saving water technology and significantly reduce water and energy usage.


Make time to take stock


Operational emissions from the energy used to heat, cool and light buildings account for almost a third of the world’s carbon emissions, making building systems an easy target for savings. And lowering the impact of our buildings should extend to reducing water usage too in the face of growing water scarcity.


Left: Paul Winnett, sales director, building services & OEM at Xylem Water Solutions UK & Ireland


A professional building systems audit can uncover dated technology, leaking equipment, poor design or shoddy installation which may hinder performance and potential optimisation. Oversized heating systems can use 50% more energy than necessary, for example, an inefficiency which experienced engineers can identify then offer a more sustainable alternative. Retrofitting just got easier In the EU, the current average renovation rate is


only 1% per year but there is enormous scope for energy savings that will have a real impact: reducing energy demand in the continent’s building stock by 80% by 2050 would cut the total energy use in the EU by almost a third . Passive energy-efficiency measures such as


upgrading windows and installing wall insulation can help to rapidly limit energy usage. Adding active sustainable solutions such as high-efficiency circulators and pumps to existing heating, cooling and hot water set-ups can also bring immediate benefits. It’s an area prime for energy savings: some 40% of the energy consumed in buildings is used for HVAC, which means more efficient systems can play a significant role in reducing environmental impact. In addition, thermal energy meters can provide continuous information on the network to allow for adjustments in real time and curb energy use.


Cut energy and water bills


The most modern sub-metering options offer a valuable step to save water by collating data on consumer demand. And, by supplying water only when needed, system control measures can help to


reduce energy use by up to 70%. Fully autonomous systems incorporating the Lowara GHV booster sets (pictured above) and Sensus iPERL water meters can guarantee a stable water pressure during unexpected peaks of demand, while ensuring the lowest energy consumption. For wastewater, smart pump technology such as


Flygt Concertor (pictured below left) - using intelligent drives, controllers and built-in application intelligence – helps it adapt according to demand to reduce energy usage by up to 70%. This can apply to new wastewater systems or replace existing inefficient systems. Get smarter about water reuse More than 3.6 billion people live in areas that are potentially water-scarce at least one month per year, meaning reusing water is more important than ever. Studies show that HVAC systems may account for up to 48% of a building’s water consumption, highlighting the fact that more efficient building systems have an important part to play in the future of drinking water. At Xylem, we have worked with numerous


partners to make reuse beer, wine and spirits to raise awareness, including producing a beer made from purified and treated wastewater.


Harness the power of intelligence


Buildings no longer need to account for almost a third of the world’s energy use, or a fifth of its water usage. With the right technology, reliable building systems can play a pivotal role in making our built environment more resilient in the face of unprecedented challenges. Xylem are among the leading industry players in the European Alliance to Save Energy which is calling on members of the European Parliament to adopt ambitious Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and address energy poverty, energy security and decarbonisation – and a key part of the puzzle will be upgrading building systems to run at peak efficiency and bring huge energy cost savings in the long term.


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Sustainability


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