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As consumers and the construction
industry become increasingly environmentally aware, architects and designers
are seeking solutions that contribute to healthy home and office environments
without costing the earth. Balancing health and environmental concerns extends
to water filtration systems, which play a vital role in ensuring user health
and happiness, and are growing in popularity: according to reports by the
Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 32% of Australian households use some
form of drinking water filtration.i In part, the shift toward alternative
sources of reliably clean, fresh-tasting water is precipitated by concerns
surrounding the cost and environmental impact of bottled water. The Australian
Museum estimates that the cost of tap water is 1 cent per litre, compared with
the average $2.53 per litre cost of bottled water.ii In light of this, water
filtration devices have become an economical and sustainable solution for
workplaces wishing to provide their staff with clean, fresh water. The main
performance criteria for water filtration products are that they provide clean,
fresh drinking water and have robust environmental credentials. However, the
sheer quantity and variety of water filtration products on the market makes
choosing a solution a complex question. In this whitepaper, we streamline the
specification process by setting forth the key considerations that must be
taken into account to ensure selection of the most sustainable, appropriate
water filtration system.
Energy Efficiency
According to The Telegraph
Newspaper, water units that supply boiling, filtered hot water are far more
efficient than kettles, requiring 0.40 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy to heat
the same amount of water for which a kettle requires 0.42kWh to heat.iii This
saving may seem marginal, but becomes significant when it is scaled up in
offices and commercial spaces, where taps are subject to heavy use throughout
the day. However, not all filtered water appliances are created equal. To keep
water at the optimum temperature (either chilled or boiling), filtration
devices store water in a thermally insulated tank beneath the sink unit. Proper
insulation is crucial, with well-insulated tanks requiring less energy to keep
water at the correct temperature. As such, it is critical to select a water
filtration device whose tank is properly insulated. Water filtration devices
generate waste heat energy in the process of chilling water. In most cases,
this heat is simply emitted by the device and goes to waste. However, advanced
filtration devices now use heat exchange technology to recapture waste heat
energy and redirect it to the device’s water boiling system. Technology is also
evolving in other ways. Generally speaking, new models from reputable brands
incorporate innovative, highly efficient motors and standby modes that allow
for heating and cooling functions to be paused when the filtration device is
not in use.
As environmental consciousness
continues to grow throughout the construction industry, the popularity of Green
Building Design (GBD) is on the rise. GBD is a broad term that describes a
sustainable approach to design with three key featuresiv: • Seeking to
significantly reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment and its
occupants through design, construction, and operational practices • Promotion
of efficiency by streamlining construction and ongoing operational costs •
Encouragement of effective resource use and the creation of healthier
environments for living and working GBD has now become a major part of
mainstream contemporary design, with many briefs across all sectors – including
commercial and residential – striving toward meeting green building standards.
Instant boiling and chilled filtered water systems can help meet GBD objectives
not only by offering the energy savings outlined above, but also by helping
reduce waste and encouraging effective resource use. Filtered water systems
encourage occupants to prepare their own hot beverages where they may otherwise
purchase coffee or tea in a disposal cup, and prompt them to drink tap water
instead of purchasing bottled water. In evaluating whether instant boiling and
chilled filtered water systems meet the other GBD criteria, specifiers must
consider the environmental impact of the filtration device itself. Where
possible, devices that contain recycled content and can be (wholly or
partially) recycled following completion of their useful life should be
specified. Water filtration devices should also be fabricated from durable,
long-lasting materials that ensure an extended performance life. It is also
recommended that specifiers choose models with standby and timer modes, as
these can significantly reduce the operational costs and energy burdens of a
water filtration device.
Though the movement toward
sustainable design and GBD has had overwhelmingly positive results, it has also
prompted some unintended side effects. As Professor Charles Hostovsky of Brock
University writes, the sustainability movement in design has led to a boom in
greenwashing, or the tendency for manufacturers to inflate the environmental
performance of their product.v Many products are now marketed using the terms
“sustainable” or “ecofriendly”, without any information to verify or back up
these claims. In light of this, designers and specifiers must be critical of
environmental credentials claimed by the manufacturers themselves, and instead
look for certification by independent, established third parties. The most
reputable independent certifications relevant to water filtration devices are:
• Global GreenTag, a stringent ecolabelling scheme that is recognised in
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and 70 other countries. • WaterMark, a
mandatory certification scheme administered by the Australian Building Codes
Board (ABCB) that ensures fitness for purpose in Australian plumbing and
drainage installations. • WRAS, or certification in accordance with the UK
Water Regulations Advisory Scheme. Certification is only granted to products
that are deemed suitable for use with drinking water sources.