Office buildings, schools, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, and other commercial and institutional facilities can use a significant amount of water and energy in their daily operations. In most cases, electricity or gas is used to purify and pump water to a facility, in addition to heating water. So, the less hot water you use, the less energy needed which means a reduction to your water and energy bill.
To help reduce your use, start tracking your water and energy cosumption and apply those cost savings to other critical parts of your business. Here are some tips to get you started:
Manage Organizational Water & Energy Use
Creating a workplace culture that focuses and takes pride in efficiency can be a very beneficial component of a conservation plan. Increased awareness will ensure more staff members are monitoring water and energy use which can result in significant monetary savings.
Improve Operations & Maintenance
Effective operations and maintenance is one of the most cost-effective strategies for ensuring optimal equipment performance and the highest level of building efficiency. With unmetered service, leaks go undetected; water and energy are wasted; and there is no accountability and therefore, no incentive to save.
Renovate an Existing Building
Large commercial buildings can use up to 22,000 gallons of water and waste up to 30% of the energy they consume. So, upgrading an existing building to reduce that waste is an opportunity to improve building performance and add value to your company.
Find Financing for Water or Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Fortunately, there are a variety of opportunities offered around the state to help facility managers, building owners, and other stakeholders save on water, energy and operating costs. Some of these opportunities include tax credits, grants, rebates, loans, and other approaches.
Here are a few locations in Arizona that offer water-saving programs:
In the end, those who have chosen to actively engage in effective efficiency planning have seen very high returns on their investment without sacrificing comfort or performance. They continue to reap these savings year after year with very little additional ongoing cost once the investment is made. If you want your business to remain competitive in the marketplace, contact your local water conservation office or visit ADWR's Commerical Conservation page.