Water saving guide
Do you know what is our
most valuable natural resource?
Let’s talk
about
love, luxury, money,
cool new technology and...
...water.
At the risk of sounding rather naive, we dare to say that at Oras, we love water like some people might love, say, gold. Naive or not, this love affair is why we create no technology without its foundation in ecology. It all actually dates back to 1976; the year that we created our first single lever faucet, strictly designed to save water and energy. That became the core of Oras, the ideology through which have strived to create the most user friendly and contemporarily designed faucets. So that you can best enjoy the great luxury called water. The most valuable commodity in the world. Over the years we have learned a lot about water and especially the remarkable costs of wasting it. That’s why this guide exists: we want to share what we know with you. Not only because saving water and energy is good, essential, for our planet, but because by doing so, you can save money. While enjoying more. According to international surveys the situation with water in Finland is one of the best. The share of water in our residential costs has, nevertheless, grown substantially in the recent years. Together with higher energy costs, the main reasons for the growth have been the increases in the prices of both fresh and wastewater. This development has made economic use of water even more worthwhile. However, saving water does not need to be – and should not be – dependent on changes in personal hygiene habits. Instead, the technology of modern water fittings should be utilized in order to bring consumption down to more reasonable levels. The Finnish use about
155 litres of water per person in a day in average, the ones prone to wasting even 260 litres! About half of it is used in washing premises, one quarter in the kitchen and the other quarter in the toilet. A realistic goal would be to keep the daily consumption at approx. 100–120 litres. There are several measures that can help to reduce water consumption. The constant pressure valve cuts down the overpressure from the local water system, keeping the pressure to the faucet stable and thus preventing excessive water flows caused by overpressure. The Eco-button function of new user-friendly shower and bath faucets reduces the flow, maintaining it within
norms – thus without the need to compromise the using comfort. As for new technology, touchless faucets can eliminate undue water consumption: water flows only during the washing event. No time is wasted on finding the right flow or temperature, and the water is not left running accidentally. All this reduces water consumption without even needing to think about changing one’s habits. Which, of course, is an important issue, too. Getting accustomed to sensible and purpose-conscious water use, together with the right selection of equipment, can lead to considerable savings during a year. You can enjoy water without wasting it, if the use is under control.
Water consumption
might seem
like a low interest issue in your everyday life.
Sometimes we take the most valuable things for granted. The price of water Since the 1990s, the price of water has increased steadily. This is clearly visible in the diagram below, compiled on the basis of cost indexes of real estate maintenance, collected by the Statistics Finland. Since 1980, the price of water has become almost fourfold, while the price of district heating and electricity has doubled. Consequently, we are facing a truly sizable and challenging task – how to stop or at least alleviate the impact of the prices of water on residential costs.
Index of real estate maintenance costs 2000=100 Source: Statistics Finland, 2008
Water charges and what water really costs In apartment associations water costs are generally covered by water charges or hot water charges that are determined on the basis of the number of people living in the apartment. A water charge usually covers only a part of the actual water costs, the rest is included
in maintenance charges. This arrangement contributes to blurring the real price of water and the fact that all water costs will always be eventually covered by the residents. Therefore, the need to take real measures for reducing water consumption may not become clear, if people do not realize the actual size of water charges.
Let’s do some maths In this example of the actual water costs and covering water fees and service charges, the following cost items have been used: – Price of water 3.04 euros/m³ (includes the water and wastewater fee). – Price of power 55.76 euros/MWh (district heat to a low multi-storey building) – The share of hot household water is 40 %. In case of water consumption 180 l/ res/day, the water costs formed by the water fee and power costs are 24.50 euros/res/month. If the fee collected from residents is 12 euros, the remaining money collected on water costs together with service charges is 12.50 euros/res/month. In order to make sure that the current water fee would cover all water costs, the consumption could be 88 l/res/month. Currently, a realistic target for water consumption would be 100-120 l/res/ month. If the water consumption as in this example could be reduced from 180
litres to 120 l/res/day, it would mean annual savings of 21.9m3 in water and 0.56 MWh in power per resident. When converted into euros, the total savings would be 98.00 euros/res/year.
How to reduce water consumption without reducing comfort of living? With just a little effort? There is no shortcut to lower water and energy consumption; still, the following technical issues should be put in order:
– Reduction of the main flow – Stabilization of pressure – Cutting down the excessive flow – Prevention of water wasting
As mentioned earlier, changing one’s using habits is also important. The measures are mostly carried out in the given order, but nothing prevents combining them or continuing from the point that has already been reached. It should be remembered, however, that economizing on the use of water (reducing the flow) should not take place at the cost of pleasure and comfort. The calculator on the homepage of Oras can help you in calculating your own possibilities for saving, the water price program is available at the address www.oras.com.
Actual water costs and savings with targeted consumption Water 16.67 euros/resident/month 200.00 euros/resident/year
180 l/resident/day Total water costs 24.50 euros/resident/month 294.00 euros/resident/year
Power 7.83 euros/resident/month 94.00 euros/resident/year
Water 11.08 euros/resident/month 133.00 euros/resident/year
120 l/resident/day Total water costs 16.33 euros/resident/month 196.00 euros/resident/year
Power 5.25 euros/resident/month 63.00 euros/resident/year
Water savings 21.9 m³/year
Savings in water costs 8.17 euros/resident/month 98.00 euros/resident/year
Power savings 0.56 MWh/year
Sometimes a faucet is not just a faucet.
It can be a
money saving
machine.
And a huge improvement on the comfort of living.
Saving water is a big issue. Make sure you can handle the pressure. Stabilizing the pressure level in a consumer water system ensures that the water flows from faucets in the most unfavorable apartments – usually the ones at the longest distance – meet the flow standards. However, in this case the water flows from the faucets on the lowest floors still exceed the standards, since there the pressure level is higher. These excessive flows can be cut with the right choice of faucets. Such as faucets equipped with an Eco-button.
Oras Optima The control valve of the Oras Optima thermostat faucet is supplied with an Eco-button which limits the water flow to approximately 60 per cent of the maximum flow. This factory-adjusted limitation can be changed easily on site without any special tools. The Eco-button does not restrict one to take the maximum flow from the faucet, if needed.
Oras Vega The Oras Vega single-lever faucets also come with the Eco-button. In Vega models the Eco-button cuts the maximum flow so that the water flows from the
faucet with 75–90 % of the maximum flow, depending on the place of consumption. However, the Eco-button does not restrict one to take the maximum flow from the faucet, if needed. The same Eco-button can also be used with the wash basin and the shower to limit temperature. Naturally, this is an important safety factor in families with children, for example. In kitchen faucets the Eco-button limits only the water flow.
Economic, safe and handy The ‘Eco-faucets’ Oras Vega and Oras Optima fullfil the three requirements to faucets that researches have shown to be most important:
The Eco-button that helps to save water and energy improves safety, too, since it also functions as a temperature limiter.
They are economic, because the Ecobutton cuts the overflow without restricting taking the maximum flow, if needed. In the long run this enables significant savings of both water and energy. They are safe, because the temperature limiter prevents accidental use of too hot water. They are easy to use. The faucets are handy and ergonomic, making them pleasant to use.
Oras Electra touchless faucet.
Probably the
most luxurious way to enjoy water while saving it.
And energy, too. Sounds great, is priceless.
Oras Electra, Oras No. 6150F The touchless faucet for wash basins improves hand hygiene and saves water. Water flows only when hands are underneath the faucet.
And now for the cool technology part: a faucet that prevents the waste of water. A significant part of water consumption involves waste-running of water. In other words, turning off the faucet for the time of washing when water usage is not necessary, appears to require an effort. Because of laziness perhaps, or just old habits. Furthermore, in public premises the consumption of water is not perceived as personal item of expenditure and as a result, the wasting of water is common. We simply don’t give it a thought. However, there is a faucet technology available that minimizes waste-running of water and is thus especially suitable for these points of water consumption.
Oras Electra Oras Electra is a faucet especially suitable for demanding sanitation needs. While being a faucet that saves water and energy. From the Oras Electra wash basin faucet the water runs only when the hands are underneath the spout in a washing position, and stops, when the hands are removed. With the Oras Electra, even the possibility of ‘vandalism’ has been taken into account. If the sensor of the faucet is covered, the faucet will shut off automatically. The water will not remain running.
Tested economy In 1994–95 the impact of Oras Electra on water consumption was researched in four different locations. In places located in the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, Turku and Forssa, single-lever faucets were replaced with Electra models. The
Oras Electra, Oras No. 6180 Touchless shower body, equipped with: - 230100 coupling - 231021 shower pipe - 232002 shower screen
consumption of water was measured for a month before and after the replacement. The results of water and energy saving were quite convincing: water saving accounted for 30–51 %, and the saving of energy used for heating the water, 37–44 % per each time of use.
ing a hand in front of the sensor within the recognition range. The water flow can also be interrupted, for example when soaping. When leaving the recognition area, the water flow will stop automatically.
Prevent the wasting of water in public showering premises The showers at swimming pools and sports halls and in the washing premises of saunas of apartment buildings use large quantities of water. Again, due to old habits, waste-running of shower water is all too common. And costly. Just think of the money that could be saved in health resorts, sports centres and the washing premises in schools. Oras Electra does not waste water, since it shuts off automatically when a person leaves the shower. The shower is switched on from a touchless shower panel by plac-
Oras Electra, Oras No. 6567 Touchless flushing application for urinals.
Oras Electra, Oras No. 6662G The touchless shower panel efficiently prevents wasting of shower water, without compromising on comfort or hygiene.
One more very important
factor. You can find it in the mirror.
Old habits die hard. Until you see how easy change can be. New technology, while as effective as you’ve already seen, is only a part in the equation to considerably save water and energy in our everyday lives. But, if you’ve started to feel even remotely as passionately about water as we do, you’ll know there’s more. Make it personal. You’ll be surprised how little it takes.
Use water only when you need it
Shaving and brushing teeth...
Everyone can reduce water consumption in their own activities, by changing habits they probably didn’t even know they had. Without having to compromise on anything necessary – or the luxury that water can offer.
It is not necessary to let the water run during the whole time of shaving or when cleaning the teeth. If using a cup, several liters of water can be saved each time. A single-lever faucet can easily be turned on and off. The touchless Electra faucet again shuts off automatically, as soon as the hands are removed from beneath the faucet.
In the shower... Modern faucets are easy to use. They can be easily turned off when no water is needed, for example when soaping or washing the hair. When it is time to rinse, it is easy to turn on the faucet and take the water with exactly the suitable temperature. Significant quantities of water is saved by avoiding unnecessary running of water.
In the kitchen... Rinsing the dishes under running water consumes a lot of water. If such rinsing is necessary, the faucet can be turned off while placing the dishes in the drying cupboard or filling the dish-washer.
In the most private place of all... Flushing dry waste down the toilet bowl wastes water. If a paper bin is placed in the toilet for dry wastes, no water is needed for their removal.
And there’s more... Essentially, saving water and energy is a matter of attitude and habits, and does not require compromising on hygiene or comfort. By getting accustomed to purpose-conscious water use in addition to selecting the right equipment you can considerably improve your economy, not to mention the health our little planet. And you might agree that even a euro saved can be put to better use than to listening to the sound of water being wasted. Oras Cubista, Oras No. 2814F Using touchless faucets is easy and safe – all you need to do is to place your hands under the faucet and the water will run. No need to touch the faucet – neither before nor after washing.
Oras Natura, Oras No. 500 Push the eco-button to use 50 % less water and energy. Or use normal flow when you like. The choice is yours.
Water consumption application. by objects of
The average consumption of household water by an inhabitant of an apartment building is about 180 litres per day. The inhabitant of a private house usually manages with a quantity about twenty litres less. Variations in consumption are nevertheless big: Variation Average Target
Source: Motiva, 2006
90-270 l/res./day 155 l/res./day 130 l/res./day
155
l/res./day
Washing
60
litres
WC
Kitchen
Laundry
20
litres
35
40
litres
litres
Final word.
Not from us, but independent research. Helsinki University of Technology The Helsinki University of Technology is the second-oldest university in Finland, and the leading university for technology and architecture. Their laboratory of “LVI” technology has studied the energy consumption balances of apartment buildings in Finland. The results are clear: in a typical apartment building an average of 37 % of heating energy is spent in heating water. As a conclusion, we can state that energy efficient water equipment and water saving faucets have a huge ecological impact. This issue becomes even more relevant under the new EU regulations on cutting down carbon dioxide emissions.
The use of water is an important factor. The studies tell us that water equipment plays an important role in saving energy. For instance, modern faucets that cut water consumption in half are extremely significant, since 40 % of household water is spent showering and washing. Leaking faucets are costly too: a leakage the size of a knitting needle amounts to 300 cubic metres of wasted water per year – worth hundreds of euros. Which takes us back to where this guide started. Why we love water. And you should, too.
Mechanical ventilation 36 %
Thermal energy balance of a building – – – – –
Heating power consumption in a real estate varies by the season and the time of the day. Power use, lighting fittings and electrical appliances all release thermal energy. Free energy is obtained from e.g. solar heat radiation and people. Heating the tap water takes an average 37 % of the total thermal power consumption of the real estate, 22 % of which flows straight to the drain. Sanitary equipment has therefore a significant role in saving energy.
Roof 6%
Windows 15 %
Heating 60 %
Source: Helsinki University of Technology
Outer wall 17 %
Electrical energy Sun and 20 % people 20 %
Base floor 4%
Drain 22 %
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Det Norske Veritas Certification
The TÜV CERT Certification Body
markets user-friendly and innovative
OY/AB certifies that the Quality
of TÜV NORD Zertifizierungs- und
faucet systems and the related
Management System of Oras Oy in
Umweltgutachter Gesellschaft
valves and modules. The design and
Rauma Finland, conforms to the
mbH certifies that Oras Olesno
technical solutions of our products
ISO 9001:2000 and the
Sp. z o. o. in Olesno Poland has
are driven by user-friendliness.
Environmental Management
established and applies Quality
Oras is the market leader in North
System to the ISO 14001:2004
and Environmental Management
Europe and one of Europe’s largest
standard. The certificates are valid
System for manufacture, storage,
manufacturers of faucets. The
for development, manufacture,
marketing, sales and after sales
Group has production facilities in
marketing, sales and after sales
services of faucets, valves and
Finland, Poland and Norway.
services of faucets, accessories
accessories. Proof has been
and valves.
provided that the requirements according to ISO 9001:2000 and
Det Norske Veritas Certification
ISO 14001:2004 are fulfilled.
OY/AB has granted Oras Oy an Occupational Health and Safety Certificate for compliance with the OHSAS 18001 standard.
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