The soil may be waterlogged and the reservoirs full when you read this, but sometimes England is in drought and we are encouraged to conserve fresh water in case the taps run dry.
During those periods I wrote many articles and press releases about ways to conserve water, on behalf of a leading manufacturer of water control products. Some articles and press releases were for the general press but most were for trade magazines serving the domestic plumbing and building services industries. The aim of course was to publicise the company’s products. The article below from 2009 was one of several I wrote for heating and plumbing magazines.
Plumbers can help reduce water wastage
Despite a seemingly wet climate, many parts of the UK regularly experience water shortages. The increasing number of homes is expected to exacerbate the problem, especially in the South East of England.
According to Waterwise, the UK’s leading authority on water efficiency, about a third of the water each person uses daily is wasted. It says the key to water efficiency is reducing waste, not restricting use. Waterwise is focused on reducing UK water consumption by 2010 and building the evidence base for large scale water efficiency.
The plumbing industry can play a great part in cutting wastage in all types of building – including homes, hotels, schools, offices, factories and public buildings – by recommending installation of pressure regulating valves. These maintain a constant, ideal pressure supply throughout premises, irrespective of the supply pressure.
Water wastage
The mains water pressure to many premises is much higher than necessary. This contributes to water wastage, as more water flows to waste while taps are running to wash hands and brush teeth, for example. A pressure regulating valve on the supply provides a simple, efficient and cost effective means to reduce water pressure within the system and so reduce consumption.
A lower water pressure also minimises flow noise and protects installations from damage caused by excessive pressure. Connections on hoses to appliances are less likely to leak. Users are also unlikely to be splashed by excessive flow caused by pressure from taps on hand basins.
Waterwise Marque
A range of Honeywell valves has become the first pressure regulation valves to be awarded the Waterwise Marque, awarded to products which reduce water wastage. The valves maintain a constant ideal water pressure, irrespective of the supply pressure. The Waterwise Marque applies to Honeywell D04FS, D05F and D06F brass bodied valves. Models are available with built in filters, optional pressure gauges and a range of connections from DN10 to DN50 (3/8 to 2 inch).
The valves feature a balanced seat design and drop-tight seal, which hold the reduced pressure constant, day and night, even when there is wide inlet pressure fluctuation.
Basic models have only an output pressure adjustment screw, while many valves feature a calibrated adjustment knob with a set point scale; this means there is no need for a gauge, although a gauge port is provided if required. Many PRVs, including those from Honeywell, feature an integral fine filter to protect the valve insert, which is fully serviceable. Honeywell valves all have a simple cartridge system to make this easy, without losing the setting on the valve.
Large buildings
Main water supplies into multi-dwelling buildings, campuses, industrial sites and commercial premises can be controlled to an ideal constant pressure using larger, flanged pressure regulating valves with cast iron bodies: Honeywell provides valves up to DN500 (20 inch diameter). Smaller brass bodied PRVs (as described above) can then be installed additionally to control flows to individual floors, apartments and sub-units.
More information
For help on any aspect of heating and water controls, call [company] on xxxxx xxxxxx.
Royer Slater