Planning out water usage in large buildings with hundreds of restrooms is a tall order! We have to account for every flush or turn of the sink handle. Water efficiency is a big concern these days for environmental and economic reasons. In large commercial buildings, restrooms are used more frequently than residential bathrooms, which can add up. You can improve your water efficiency by installing efficient systems from the start.
You may have noticed that most commercial toilets don’t have a tank on the bank as residential toilets do. Instead, commercial toilets have a flushometer, which is a valve that opens up to the water supply line when the toilet is flushed. The advantage of this type of valve is that the water enters with more pressure and power, which is why the toilet is so loud in a commercial building!
The flush valve allows a predetermined amount of water to pass through the toilet. In the U.S., the standard is one gallon for urinals and 1.6 gallons for toilets. Many commercial toilets are now also installed with hands-free flush technology, powered by a battery or wiring so that the toilet automatically flushes when the user is finished.
Commercial toilets are an excellent choice for large restrooms because they are powerful and reliable. In addition, these systems can handle large volumes of water and waste to prevent clogs and leaks. A new emerging trend in multi-use buildings is installing commercial toilet systems instead of residential toilets. Even though multi-use buildings have separate suites, installing these plumbing systems can help conserve water and prevent blockages and plumbing issues. In fact, in New York City, tankless toilets and commercial toilets are becoming the norm in many apartments. Building owners are now installing these toilets and systems because of water pressure loss from aging plumbing systems and improved water efficiency.
Another way to improve water efficiency and increase your savings is by installing more water-efficient equipment. For example, the EPA has created a WaterSense standard for higher-efficiency commercial toilets that use less water. According to the EPA’s WaterSense program, there are nearly 27 million flushometer valve (or commercial) toilets in the United States. If all of the older models were replaced, it would save over $39 billion gallons of water per year!
When you’re planning a commercial project, you have to make many decisions. If you want to ensure that your plumbing system is top-notch, the only decision you need to make is to hire us. We can design your whole system with the right equipment and capacity and help you improve your water efficiency. So, if you’re planning your next project and looking for a plumbing and HVAC partner, give us a call. (801) 254-4038
