Water Tank Secrets » Water Saving

Energy and Water Efficiency Tips for Businesses

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 04:00:35 +0000

All businesses, whether they are small, medium or large multi-national corporations use lighting, heating and air conditioning, power for computing /equipment and water. By taking the following steps at their facilities, businesses can significantly reduce their electricity, gas and water bills and protect the environment at the same time.

1.Install Efficient Light Bulbs. According to Energy Star, Energy Star qualified CFL bulbs consume about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer, resulting in about $30 or more in energy savings over each bulb’s lifetime. Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs have come a long way in the last few years: their costs have dropped and there is a bulb for just about any application. Switching to CFLs is easy to implement and can yield a quick payback in savings.

Switch to LED exit signs. Most shops have several of these and switching to an LED exit sign can save $10 per sign in electricity costs. In addition, because they have a long life, the LED exit signs don’t need regular replacements that existing signs do.
Most businesses have the T12 fluorescent lights bulbs (1.5 diameter) which as not as energy efficient as the newer T8 fluorescent tubes (1.0 diameter). Consider switching to the T8 tubes for extra savings.

2.Install Motion Sensors. Also known as Occupancy Sensors, they detect activity in areas where they are installed. They can automatically turn lights on and off by sensing motion. Motion sensors, can save on lighting costs. This is especially important for facilities with areas that are infrequently used such as warehouses.

3.Use Smart Power Strips to monitor and manage computer and accessories power usage. Computers and peripherals such as printers, fax machines, monitors, copiers and hard drives suck up power even when they are not in use. Smart power strips can detect when these devices are in use or idle and can turn them off automatically. Smart power strips can save up to 72% of the power your systems use, and additionally provide surge protection.

4.Programmable Thermostats give you flexibility to adjust temperatures based on time of the day, seasonal changes and occupancy. For instance, in the winter time you can program the temperature to the lowest level that is comfortable for tenants, and in the summer time to the highest level that is tolerable. You can adjust the thermostat lower when there are fewer tenants in the building or even turn off the heating / air for a predetermined interval before close of business e.g. 30-60 minutes before close of business.

5.Install Lighting Timer Controls . Timer Controls are available for indoor and outdoor lighting. They can be programmed to automatically turn lights on and off based on a schedule. Solar Timer Controls can control outdoor lighting based on the time of sunrise and sunset for your location.

6.Water Efficiency: By installing water efficient fixtures, you can save thousands of gallons of water. Installing low flow toilets and urinals allows you to conserve a significant amount of water each day. Low flow Faucet aerators are cheap and easy to install and can achieve an immediate return on investment. If your facility has showers, consider replacing the standard showerheads with water saving showerheads such as water efficient a 1.5 gallon per minute showerhead.

Find efficient light bulbs, smart power strip, low flow showerheads at Conservation Mart. Energy Star is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.

Readers who viewed this page, also viewed:

Water – the Solution to Save Money on High Gas Prices

Water – the Solution to Save Money on High Gas Prices

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:02:04 +0000

Filling up your gas tank is fast becoming a financially frustrating task. With gas prices increasing more than ever, we often wonder if there is another way we can use as fuel. The answer is yes, water.

A great alternative is to convert your car into a water-burning hybrid. You might be thinking that this might involve a high price tag and advance knowledge, but a great water conversion kit can actually be bought with a budget of less than $150 (including a simplified do-it-yourself guide and materials from your local hardware store).

How does it Work?

A water-burning hybrid car will allow you to use of water as a supplement to gasoline. This means you will be using two types of fuel to run your car. Electricity is used from your car’s battery to transform water into a gas called HHO(also known as Brown’s Gas). HHO burns smoothly and provides a significant amount of energy to power your car.

Benefits of running your car with Water

Save Money – An obvious benefit. Transforming your car into a water-burning hybrid means it will not depend solely on gasoline but also the HHO gas to use as fuel. This will significantly reduce your gas costs and save you hundreds each month.

Double your Car’s Mileage – A water-burning hybrid allows you to fill your tank less but receive more. The HHO Gas will be used in conjunction with the gasoline to power your car. Very little water can produce huge amounts of HHO gas to be used as fuel. Your vehicle will also use two forms of energy instead of one, increasing your car’s mileage.

Environment Friendly – Not only will you be saving money, but you will also be saving the environment. Using less gasoline on your vehicle reduces the emissions it produces, also after HHO is used it converts back to water which means fewer greenhouse gases and a healthier planet.
With these ridiculously high gas prices staying steadily increasing, it is definitely worth investing on a water-conversion kit. Turn your vehicle into a water-burning hybrid and see yourself smiling for the first time filling up your gas tank.

Run your car on water and start saving an average of $110 a month, while having increased mileage & an environment friendly vehicle. Stop wasting money on gas!

Check out my blog:http://savemoneywithwater.blogspot.com to find out how you can get an excellent water conversion kit.

What are the Benefits of a Hot Water Demand System?

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:03:15 +0000

Before we examine the benefits of a hot water demand system lets make sure we know what it is. For those of you who have not encountered one, a demand hot water system is a hot water delivery system that uses a pump get your hot water from your water heater to your fixture quickly without wastefully running water down the drain.

When you want hot water you press a button which turns on the pump, speeding hot water to you, while pumping the cooled off water in the piping back to the inlet of the water heater. It just pumps the water around in a big loop. When hot water reaches the pump it shuts off, preventing the cold water line from filling with hot water. At that point you have instant hot water when you turn on the tap. Several manufactures of demand systems offer other methods than a button to turn on the pumps, such as motion detectors and photo cells.

Depending upon how your house is plumbed you may be able to cover a number of fixtures with just one pump. Most often the pump is placed at the fixture furthest from the water heater; however it’s not difficult to find the best location for the pump. To do so, go to the sink where you think the pump should be located, and turn on the hot fixture letting the water run until it is hot, then shut it off. You have just simulated the operation of a demand system. The difference is you ran water down the drain waiting for the hot, but the pump would not. Now if you go to another fixture and turn on the hot water, you will be able to tell it you get hot water more quickly than normal. You have to wait at least an hour between tests to let the piping cool off.

There are a number of benefits to having a demand system in your home. With most installations you save time since you don’t have to wait quite as long as you would with a normal plumbing system. Better than that though is the water savings. In homes with long pipe runs to the most frequently used fixtures the water savings can be huge. Studies have shown that a family of four can save over 15,000 gallons of water per year.

You might get cleaner dishes. The number one complaint that dish washer manufacturers hear about from their customers is the dishes don’t get clean enough. According to the manufacturers the reason is nearly always the temperature of the water. If it is not hot enough it doesn’t completely dissolve the soap, and hence the dishes don’t get as clean. Before you it the run button on the dishwasher, hit the demand system button.

If you are the kind of person who turns on the shower and then goes and does something else while waiting for the hot water to arrive, and comes back to find the water is hot, then you could save significant amounts of energy. Heating the water is far more expensive than paying for the water itself, so running heated water down the drain is expensive. A demand pumping system eliminates this waste of energy.

If you have a septic system, then you know that reducing the amount of sewage entering the system is a good thing. Homes with septic systems often have a well to supply fresh water. If you have a well, you have a water pump. Reducing the amount of water being used by the system reduces the run time for the pump, reducing your energy usage and saving you money.

Demand systems use very little energy. Since the motor only runs for a few seconds at a time they typically use less than $1.00 per year in electricity. And since they don’t circulate hot water into the cold water line, they do not use more heat energy than a normal plumbing system.

If you have city water and sewage, then by reducing you water consumption you are reducing the amount of pumping and treating that must be done to the water supply, thus reducing energy usage and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.

If you happen to have a tankless water heater then you are probably aware that it takes even longer to get hot water with such a heater, and that of course, makes the demand system just that much more valuable. Although hot water circulating systems don’t work with tankless heaters, most demand systems do. Some demand systems do not have a high enough flow rate to turn on a tankless heater, so check with the manufacturer before making your purchase. The Chilipepper appliance will turn on any tankless heater.

Demand systems are pretty easy to install. The pumps connect between the hot and cold water lines, and with some systems such as the Chilipepper appliance you don’t even need to turn off the water main, just the two angle stops under the sink. You do need a 110 volt outlet to provide power to the pump. If you don’t want to mount a button, or if you want to be able to activate the system from another location, most pumps offer remote control, X-10 control, or wireless remote operation.

If you decide to install a demand system in your home you should check with your water company, as many water suppliers are offering substantial rebates for hot water demand systems.

Mr. Lund has been an inventor for over 35 years and has over a dozen patents. For information about patents, inventing, prototyping, online marketing, and new product stories visit Free Invention Help

For more information about demand hot water systems, and tankless water heaters visit: Water Heater Information

Experience the Benefits of Fast Hot Water!

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:01:03 +0000

There are numerous benefits to fast hot water such as saving water, saving time, saving energy, saving money and being more environmentally responsible. It could even mean cleaner dishes from your dishwasher.

If you live in a small apartment, then fast hot water probably isn’t much of a concern for you. You most likely get your hot water fast since it is a short distance from the water heater to the fixture, or your apartment has a hot water circulating system with a single large common water heater. But if you live in a rambling ranch home with the water heater on one end of the house, and the master bath on the other end, then you know you waste a whole lot of water waiting for the hot water to reach your fixture.

You can get faster hot water and get it without running any water down the drain with a hot water demand system. A hot water demand system is an inexpensive easy-to-install pump that mounts under your sink, and delivers your hot water to you fast, without running any water down the drain. Studies have indicated that a typical family of four can save up to 15,000 gallons of water per year with a demand type hot water pump.

When you want hot water, you press a button and the pump sends the hot water from your water heater to your fixture at high speed. When hot water reaches the fixture, the pump shuts off. When the pump shuts off you turn on the tap and you have instant hot water. The cooled off hot water in the hot water piping gets pumped through the cold water line back to the water heater inlet. No hot water ends up in the cold water line.

You get your hot water faster, and you don’t run any water down the drain. If you are one of those people who turn on the hot water, and then do something else while you wait for the hot water, and you come back to find that there is hot water running down the drain, then you can save a ton of energy too. The energy to heat water is much more expensive than the water itself.

I have a hot water demand system in my home, and in the morning when the alarm goes off, I reach over, shut off the alarm, and hit the remote button that activates my demand pump. When I get to the shower the hot water is waiting for me. I no longer have to stand there shivering in the cold with my hand in the water for about a minute and a half. Often one pump can service more than one sink. In my home the pump is installed in the upstairs master bath, but it gets the heated water to the kitchen sink much faster too. Without the pump I have to wait 45 seconds with the water running full blast to get the hot water, but after the demand pump runs it only takes 7 seconds.

According to dishwasher manufacturers, the number one reason for dishwashers to not get dishes clean is that the water isn’t hot enough to dissolve the soap completely. If you run your demand system pump when you start the dishwasher, you will make sure the dishwasher gets hot water for really clean dishes.

If you have a tankless water heater you are saving energy, and you have unlimited hot water, but you are wasting even more water than with a conventional type water heater. Tankless water heaters take longer to get you hot water since they have to heat it as well as just send it, like a tank type water heater. Since it takes longer, you run more water down the drain waiting. But don’t worry, there are demand systems that work with tankless water heaters, and in fact, work with any kind of water heater including solar.

Demand systems are green products, as they save a lot of water and in many cases energy too. The pumps typically cost less than $2.00 per year in electricity to operate. Saving water also reduces the amount of energy needed to pump and treat it. This lowers the amount of greenhouse gas and other pollutants being released into the atmosphere. Demand pumps are manufactured by Metlund, Taco, Chilipepper Sales and others.

Check with your local water company, as some water companies are offering rebates of up to $200.00 on demand type hot water pumps.

For more information about instant hot water, hot water heaters, demand systems, and tankless water heaters visit: Chilipepper Appliance

Mr. Lund has been an inventor for over 35 years and has over a dozen patents. For information about patents, inventing, prototyping, online marketing, and new product stories visit New Product Help

Hot Water Demand Systems Save Time, Water, Energy, And Money

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 04:04:01 +0000

Hot Water Demand Systems save Time, Water, Energy, and Money

We all know that we should be conserving water for a wide variety of reasons. In some areas there are droughts occurring, in some areas water is just scarce to begin with. Demand type hot water systems are an excellent way to save water.

Saving energy, conserving water, and reducing green house gases

One reason; for every gallon of water you use, you are using energy as well. Water typically has to be pumped from the source to your home, and often it needs to be treated as well using even more energy. The energy used to pump the water and treat the water needs to be generated, and that typically releases green house gases into the atmosphere.

Most of us are familiar with the common water conservation methods, low-flow toilets, low flow shower heads, low flow fixtures and strategies such as using landscaping that doesn’t require much water. All of these methods require some sort of sacrifice by the user.

Add convenience without spending a fortune

Now there is a way to conserve large amounts of water, and it does not require sacrifice on the part of the user. It’s actually a convenience for the user. The concept behind this new conservation method is actually not new, but in recent years it’s been through some revolutionary changes that make it inexpensive and easy to implement.

The method as you may have surmised is the circulation of the hot water. The old hot water circulating systems of the past were expensive, and very wasteful of energy. The advantages were nearly instant hot water. With instant hot water you don’t have to run gallons of water down the drain while you wait for the hot water to arrive. This can save a typical family of four over 10,000 gallons per year.

Hot water demand (d\’mand) systems are energy efficient

Not only do you conserve water, but you are provided the convenience of fast hot water. The good news is that the old hot water circulating systems have evolved into today’s hot water demand systems. Hot water demand systems are much less expensive than their older counter parts, and are easy to install. They are also extremely energy efficient. Hot water demand systems use less than $2.00 a year in electricity, and can actually save water heating energy as well.

There are several brands of hot water demand systems, including the Chilipepper CP6000, the Metlund D’MAND system, and Taco pump that markets a D’MAND system nearly identical to the Metlund system. These systems consist of an electronically controlled pump that connects to the hot and cold water lines under the fixture. When you desire hot water at your fixture, you press a button that turns on the pump. When hot water reaches the pump, it shuts off, and hot water is only 2 or 3 seconds away.

Fast hot water for more than one fixture

Depending on your plumbing layout these units can often supply quick hot water to more than one sink, and sometimes all of your sinks. You can easily find out how a demand system will work for your plumbing layout. When your pipes are all cold, like the first thing in the morning, just pick the location you think is the furthest from the water heater and turn on the hot water until it gets hot.

Now the hot water line is full of hot water just as though a demand system had been activated. Go to the next closest sink and see if you get hot water a lot faster. By letting the pipes cool off, you can try different locations for the demand system and determine the best place for it. If need be you can use more than one pump in a house.

Metlund and Chilipepper Sales

Metlund offers 3 models that range in price from less than $300 to about $800. The larger Metlund models can be used with tankless water heaters. Chilipepper CP6000 has a suggested retail price of $179.99, and is much more powerful than the Metlund and Taco systems and will therefore work with any kind of water heater including any tankless model.

Both systems are easy to install and both have code approvals. Both systems save you the same amount of water, both have a life expectancy of about 15 years, and both systems have warranties. The Chilipepper CP6000 also offers a 30 day unconditional money back guarantee.

Get a rebate

In some areas the local water companies offer rebates for the installation of these systems, some reaching $200.00. In those areas it’s inexcusable not to install one of these water saving devices.

So now you know… for less than $200 you can get your hot water faster, stop running water down the drain, save a ton of water each year, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If you have a septic system you substantially reduce the amount of waste water your system has to handle each day.

Be green, practice water conservation, save money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by installing one of these water conservation systems right away.

Fast Hot Water for your convenience: Hot Water Demand Systems

For more information about all kinds of water heaters: Water Heater Information Instant hot water systems.

Create a Bright Future and Easily Save Energy and Water

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:00:49 +0000

Everyone has that one crazy oversized uncle who comes over for main holidays; year after year the plunger is on call after Christmas dinner for fear of Uncle Ed clogging up the toilet again. Eliminate your families and toilets concerns with water efficient dual flush toilets that are able to flush large loads with ease while also saving countless gallons of water.

Everyone in the world today is trying to make an effort to ‘go more green’ and striving to do everything they can to save money and the environment. Many businesses around the world participated in the ‘Earth Blackout’ just a few months ago toward the end of March to kick the door open and start saving energy. With this brief attempt to save energy cities and countries flipped off the switch for an hour’s time; countries such as Australia, UK and the United States all took part. There are several of ways to utilize energy and save water that is wasted daily by many whom do not take into account their usage. You can do your part by taking shorter showers, washing cars less frequently and upgrading your old 1970’s toilet to a high flow water efficient toilet. A premier dual flush elongated toilet may just be the answer to keeping that water bill low and sustaining the green paper in your wallet.

Many health studies suggest for young growing adolescents to drink up to eight glasses of water per day to remain healthy and keep their bodies growing. Water intake is a vital part of human life as the body cannot survive without water but taking 20 minute showers is not a very good way to conserve water and neither is flushing that old toilet numerous times to get the full load to flush. Having energy efficient and water saving toilets in your house can reduce your monthly bill by hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year.

In reference to the first paragraph, I have a crazy Uncle Ed who shows up from time to time for certain choice holidays, usually when he gets presents or food in his stomach. Until just recently there was bit of a problem when he came over as it seemed he always clogged up our toilet. My father renovated the kitchen and bathroom for his own Christmas present and got all new kitchen appliances as well as a new elongated toilet for the special times Uncle Ed decides to grace us with his presence. Ed is always welcome at our house for events

Readers who viewed this page, also viewed:

Install Low Flow Shower Heads and Toilets – Save Energy and Money

Ecofly: The Rapping, Water-Saver

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:04:13 +0000

The EcoFly™ toothbrush from Dr. Fresh is the first “rappin”, recyclable, eco-concious toothbrush for kids. Its musical timer features an original rap song recorded by “Da Hip Hop Cop.” aka Anthony Ward. The brush teaches kids to brush long enough to keep smiles healthy, but to conserve water in the process by turning off the tap.

It is estimated that between 4-5 gallons of water are wasted when we don’t turn off the tap while brushing our teeth. In states like California where the shortage of water is becoming a crisis, that wastage can become a massive volume of water with 37 million Californians brushing their teeth two or three times a day. Eco fly is a water-saving ambassador that everyone can use to remind themselves and others to turn off the tap, not just while brushing their teeth, but in all household activities, from showering to turning on the washing machine only when it’s full.

So while the infrastructure to provide more water is lacking, private business can step in and provide methods to save water with water efficient washing machines toilets and – toothbrushes that remind you to turn off the tap with a snappy rap tune. The Association of California Water Agencies says on their website that efforts to educate the population of California have largely been going in one ear and out the other. That’s because the message isn’t impacting their daily lives. They leave it on the table or computer screen or TV screen while they get on with their lives. But, Ecofly on the other hand, is part of everyone’s life. Everyone brushes their teeth and if their toothbrush is reminding them that water conservation is something that has to do with them right now because their tap is running, then there’s a very high chance they’re going to turn it off. And it might just achieve the knock-on effect of getting people to use less water while washing the car or watering the lawn.

It’s going to take smart ideas, smart technology, and a lot of smart people to communicate the reality that the playing field is changing and the human population has to change their habits because a plentiful resource isn’t plentiful anymore, but you can start now by turning off the tap!

http://www.drfresh.com/

Ecofly: The Rapping, Water-Saver

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:04:13 +0000

http://www.drfresh.com/

Install Low Flow Shower Heads and Toilets – Save Energy and Money

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 04:05:46 +0000

Did you know that low flow shower heads use between 1.6 – 2.6 gallons per minute while old shower heads use 2.6 – 5.2 gallons per minute? Probably a silly question to ask, but the most surprising part about these stats is that you can’t actually tell a difference in the water pressure.

Now I realize that most everybody takes showers now days due to convenience, but some people enjoy taking baths instead of showers on occasion or maybe even frequently. Truth is, few people think about how much more water usage is involved to fill up the tub.

I know that I’m not going to talk you into never filling your bathtub again but just so you are aware, the average person uses 78 gallons of water every time they take a bath? When you compare that to a 10 minute shower with a low flow head that uses only 16 gallons, now what do you think? Don’t forget, you are not just wasting water but the electricity or gas it took to heat that water too, not to mention the sewage or waste water bill that goes along with it.

So in essence if you have city water, you’re paying for bathing in 3 different ways. You pay for the water itself, the electricity or natural gas to heat the water used, and you’re paying for the sewage when the water goes down the drain.

I aim to simply make you aware of possible resource wastes and while you are putting some real effort into saving water and money, check your toilet’s gallon per flush or (GPF). You may have an older toilet that uses 7, 5, or 3.5 GPF while the new water saving standard is 1.6 GPF. You can even get a dual flush version that uses either 1.6 or 0.8 GPF depending on; well we’ll just say #1 or #2. A dual flush toilet will easily save you up to $100 per year on water and sewage or waste water bills.

Do you have a leaky faucet?

If you do, you should be aware that one drip per second can add up to 165 gallons per month. To better put this into perspective, 165 gallons is more than the average person uses in two weeks. With this in mind you will want to fix your leaky faucet as soon as possible since waiting can cost you more than a new shinny one.

Bradley C. Williams is a successful internet marketer with a focus on cutting energy consumption and waste while bringing alternative energy sources to the forefront. He would like to invite you to http://www.everyalternative.com/ for more energy saving tips and to learn more about renewable energy sources. Please also visit http://www.profitlancecompanion.com/ to see how he got started in internet marketing.

Central Basin Encourages Home Owners to Save Water

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 03:59:48 +0000

Central Basin Municipal Water District cares about the community and is working to bring water conservation awareness to the public. Central Basin purchases imported water through Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). This Water Reservoir in Central Basin then supplies twenty four cities with water. The drought conditions in California have caused a major concern over water useage.

Central Basin’s main concern is the water supply needed to care for the health and wellbeing of the communities. Central Basin is joining hands with public and private community co laborers as they seek to bring water conservation awareness to the community. Water conservation is not complicated. A few simple lifestyle changes along with some changes in home appliances can make substantial differences in community water consumption. Here are some suggested water saving tips:

1. Turn off the Water

Turn off the water while you brush your teeth or wash dishes. Allowing the water to run for extra minutes for various mundane tasks can waste hundreds of gallons of water. Teach your children to conserve water by soaping up their hands before turning on the water. Take a shorter shower and use a low flow showerhead. Taking just one of two minutes off of your shower time will save gallons of water per day.

2. Car Washing

Use a bucket and a sponge rather than a hose. This will save you many gallons of water. Using a low flow shut off spray nozzle will save water when you rinse the vehicle off.

3. Sweep rather than Hose

When clearing debris from the sidewalk and porch choose to sweep rather than hose off. This will save water.

4. Do Full Loads of Laundry

Do a full load of laundry. This will use the water that is being poured into the machine effectively. It will cut back on wasting water. You can also purchase clothes washers that conserve energy and water. There are discounts available through Central Basin’s conservation rebate programs.

5. Toilet Water Use

The newer toilets conserve water. Each toilet uses only 1.6 gallons of water. This saves water per flush. You can also get a discount on the purchase of a new toilet through Central Basin’s rebate program. Flush less frequently. Half of all indoor water use is through the toilet. Make sure that you do not needlessly flush the toilet or use it as a trash can. Use a waste container for tissues etc that are not soiled with body fluids.

Making these changes in your home can save and protect the California water supply. Central Basin is on your side and is working to increase community awareness.

Ray Subs works for Central Basin. Central Basin Municipal Water District is a public agency that purchases imported water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD).Water Reservoir Central Basin wholesales the imported water to cities, mutual water companies, investor-owned utilities and private companies in southeast Los Angeles County. For more info visit http://www.centralbasin.org/