Keep the pressure on
Jason Cox, Sales Director – Building Services at Wilo UK, outlines why cold water booster sets are becoming crucial to combatting insufficient water pressure in both retrofit applications and new build developments.
There aren’t many things more frustrating than turning the tap on only to be met by a drip of water. The reality, however, is that properties across the country are, almost overnight, seeing their taps reduced to a trickle despite running without issue for decades on end.
With the population surging in the UK’s major cities, the challenge of meeting the growing demand for water supply is becoming increasingly difficult for water companies, local authorities and building service engineers. This often results in pressure being reduced to Ofwat’s minimum stipulation of 0.7 bar, however this can sometimes prove inadequate in certain types of buildings such as high-rises or even those with two or three storeys.
As developments continue to rise among the bustling skylines of cities across the nation, a solution is clearly required sooner rather than later, and building engineers are
at the very heart of this challenge.
Cold water booster sets could be just that, delivering constant pressure at every extraction point throughout a building, but what else must be considered when choosing water pressure boosters?
Access available support
Besides delivering constant water pressure, the building industry is also facing the challenge of delivering sustainable solutions against the nationwide focus on driving environmental action. Hence, before specifying any solution, carrying out on-site energy reports can help relevant parties to understand the importance of installing or retrofitting the latest pressure boosting technology.
Energy reports are a popular method of demonstrating the potential energy, carbon and cost savings available from a suggested upgrade. Product selection support is also crucial to ensuring the long-term success and reliability of an upgrade.
Specify smart products
When the time comes to replace existing boosters, selecting a smaller motor that can supply the same demand of water pressure will go a long way in improving energy efficiency. Replacing equipment with older, less efficient motors with booster sets that feature the latest IE5 motors can provide vital carbon and energy savings.
Wilo’s SiBoost 2.0 Smart Helix VE is the manufacturer’s latest offering in commercial applications. The heavy-duty system ensures an efficient operation while offering ease-of-use to customers. This, in part, is made possible by its smart LCD display which makes installation a simple task, while post-installation, the system notifies end-users of any issues, such as insufficient pressure, before they worsen. What’s more, significant energy savings can be made through pressure-loss-optimised hydraulics as well as optimal load adjustment.
Putting progress in practice
From schools to hotels to hospitals, insufficient water pressure is a nationwide issue that is driving organisations across the country to take action. A thriving student residence in the South West of England is just one example, as the building’s operators initially reached out to Wilo for an on-site energy report.
It was discovered that through efficient, straightforward improvements to the property’s booster set, the building owners could save over £6,000 and more than 46,000kWh a year. Wilo also determined that an upgrade to a SiBoost Smart Helix VE would pay for itself in little over three years, alongside carbon savings of over 10,000kg per year.
This, more than anything, shows the hidden potential for savings that most owners or operators have within touching distance. A simple task like replacing outdated booster sets can make a monumental difference, all while adding peace of mind to a building’s residents that their shower won’t be cutting off in the upcoming colder months anytime soon.
Tackling insufficient water pressure
To combat the issue of insufficient water pressure, the industry’s solution providers offer an end-to-end service to ensure that suitable boosters are selected, commissioned and, post-installation, serviced correctly so that they perform at their
best for years to come. Wilo has worked with the country’s largest housing associations, hospitals and accommodation providers to gain the necessary experienced required to help any business overcome what may be a unique water pressure issue.
Under pressure? Not anymore.
