LOW CARBON HEATING & HVAC
THE HIDDEN COSTS OF HEATING & COOLING
Steven Booth, managing director for Guardian Water Treatment, part of the Marlowe Environmental Services (MES) Group, discusses the hidden cost of unchecked water wastage in commercial HVAC systems and how to mitigate this problem
W
ater scarcity is no longer a distant threat. By 2030, experts predict that severe water
shortages could displace over 700 million people globally. Even the UK faces increasing pressure on its water resources, with the Environment Agency warning of potential shortages and drought risks in the coming years due to climate change. While many businesses focus on visible water
conservation measures, like low-flow taps and rainwater harvesting, a significant opportunity for water savings often goes unnoticed: their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Whether open or closed-loop, better maintenance practices and the latest technologies can make a positive impact on reducing water usage, while offering a number of knock-on benefits.
UNDERSTANDING WATER WASTAGE IN CLOSED LOOP HVAC Closed-loop systems use a continuous cycle of water flowing through sealed pipes. The key times water can be wasted in these systems is through undetected leaks and the overuse of flushing during precommission cleaning and as a precautionary measure throughout a water systems life. In-fact flushing, the act of forcing gallons of water through pipework to remove debris and prevent corrosion, is one of the most water wasting processes in a building’s construction and ongoing maintenance. Flushing is also used to remove bacteria from the system. Pseudomonas, which can cause infection in vulnerable people in hot and cold water systems, also poses a risk to HVAC health, leading to inefficiencies and corroded pipes that, if left unchecked, can cause leaks. In large commercial buildings, expensive repairs and downtime can have significant cost and leave responsible parties such as Facilities Managers (FMs) liable to fines.
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The way to save water in this scenario is to ensure a preventative approach, keeping a close eye on system condition to identify if bacteria is likely to thrive, allowing maintenance teams to take steps before corrosion takes hold. The presence of dissolved oxygen (DO) is a key cause for alarm, supporting bacterial growth and also causing corrosion on its own. Other indicators of corrosive conditions include pressure changes, pH, inhibitor levels and temperature, all of which can be detected by using the latest 24/7 remote monitoring technology, which can reduce the need for flushing by ensuring it is only used when absolutely necessary. After routine maintenance, for example, it is likely that conditions will change. Through monitoring we can see if and when in-specification levels return, avoiding ‘knee-jerk’ reactions – if they return quickly, then flushing can sometimes be avoided.
THE BUSINESS CASE FOR PREVENTION Monitoring in this way is a crucial tool in a preventive rather than reactive approach to maintenance, delivering multiple benefits, including: • Reduced water consumption • Reduced system downtime risk and the associated cost, which can run into the millions in critical infrastructure
• Reduced maintenance expenses and time on site – remote monitoring flags issues from afar, reducing the need for ‘routine’ site visits
• Extended equipment lifespan through better system health
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• Improved energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint
• Trackable, concrete progress toward sustainability and operational goals
• Clear evidence in the case of incident – of particular importance to FM teams at the point of handover.
OPEN SYSTEM SAVINGS Cooling towers, used where temperature reduction at scale is required such as in the very largest data centres, are inherently water wasting – water is far more efficient than air, reducing energy consumption by 40% compared with air cooled alternatives. Water recovery and rainwater harvesting
will make a big difference. 70% of process water can be recycled, offering sustainability and considerable cost-savings. In very large infrastructure assets, such as data centres, these savings can run into the thousands daily, allowing for a swift return on investment, typically in less than six months in large commercial applications. Recycled water is often cleaner too, removing solids, viruses, algae, pseudomonas and legionella which, as mentioned, are also a human health risk in this setting. Businesses that optimise their HVAC system
operations from an environmental standpoint often also reap and financial benefits. The key lies in embracing technology-driven solutions that transform water conservation, whilst also improving energy efficiency and working practices.
Guardian Water Treatment
www.gwtltd.com
Heat pump pipes
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