Energy Economy

Energy Economy in Plumbing
Reducing the use of cold and hot water without disturbing the balance of the environment we live in, without reducing the existing comfort will also provide serious savings in water costs.
Reducing water consumption also means reducing the energy power used by all equipment in mechanical installations.
As a result of reducing water consumption;
֍ Reducing water consumption and cost
֍ Energy economy in water distribution and pressurization systems
֍ Energy economy in hot water installation
֍ Hygiene
֍ Prevention of the risk of Legionnaires’ disease such benefits are provided.
Let’s explain Energy Economy in Plumbing under headings;
Reducing Water Consumption in Clean Water Installation With the increase in population and the increase in the level of welfare, the need for water, one of the most precious resources, also increases. Consequently, serious economic losses occur in every area where water is used. Reducing water consumption in clean water installation, which is our topic, is achieved in accordance with various criteria. These;

Architectural Design Measures
Wet areas such as bathrooms and toilets should be placed on top of each other in the vertical direction and side by side in the horizontal direction while drawing the architectural plans and should be as close to the mechanical installation center as possible. According to this architectural project, mechanical installation shafts should be created and the location of the shaft in wet areas should be designed so that the distance between the shaft and the final fixture is the least.
Thus;
֍ Pipe cost,
֍ Pumping, electrical energy cost,
֍ Heat loss from domestic hot water and circulation pipe, decreases. Using hot, cold water and circulation pipes should not be passed through the outer wall in cold regions to reduce the risk of freezing.
The place where the water tanks used in the buildings will be placed should be under the ground. Bacteria reproduction occurs very quickly in warehouses due to the sun rays above the ground. In addition, the interior surface of the tanks should be smooth. In this way, pollution of the water dispersed in the installation is prevented.

Better Hand Washing with Less Water
Water consumption is very high while washing our hands.
While some soap their hands, they keep the water open and water flows in vain.
At the same time, instead of using plenty of water when washing hands, it is necessary to adopt the habit of hand washing as necessary.

Precautions in Mechanical Design
Measures that can be taken for sink taps and shower faucets;
The armatures chosen should be pleasing to the user and of high quality.
In order to reduce water consumption, the armatures used in the installations can be selected as sensor type.
In this way, when the user’s hands are not in the active area, it is prevented from working and wastage.
Selected luminaires should be evaluated considering their efficiency characteristics.
Sanitaryware selection;
What we mean by sanitary ware are toilet bowls and urinals.

Points to be Considered in Toilets
֍ Surface washing ability (complete washing),
֍ Cleaning capacity (reservoir water volume),
֍ Compliance of the reservoir liner quality with the reservoir (no risk of water leakage in the reservoir).

Considerations in Urinals
֍ Surface washing ability (prevents odor problem)
֍ Classic type urinal faucets should not be chosen.
֍ Water control should be done in automatic urinals.
֍ Since the cost of bass type urinal faucets is low, it is necessary to increase their usage.

Generally
An expansion tank should be installed at the cold water inlet of the boiler. The expansion tank should be of the hygienic type that circulates the water inside. Turkey is the safety valve for flow or whether these habits are dropped. This creates both a safety risk and causes water loss.
Return cocks should be installed on the radiators. In this way, significant amounts of water can be saved.
Economy in Water Distribution and Pressurization (Booster) Systems
In high-rise buildings, it is more appropriate to divide the system into pressure levels and to use special booster for each level. When the booster pressure is raised unnecessarily;
֍ Pump efficiency decreases.
֍ Electric energy consumption in booster pumps increases. Excess energy is lost through friction.
֍ The water flow rate from the tap increases and unnecessary water consumption occurs.
֍ Comfort in the installation is impaired. Leakage may occur at some points of the installation.

Economy in Domestic
Hot Water Installation Domestic water heating usually runs throughout the year, so there is energy consumption. Reducing domestic hot water consumption also means saving on heating energy. Inefficiencies in hot water installation;
֍ From boilers (selected boiler type and annual utilization efficiency)
֍ From boilers
֍ From distribution and circulation piping
֍ High water temperature in the boiler.
֍ High pressure of the booster system is selected.
֍ Of faucet and battery types may be caused. In line with the above-mentioned points, all equipment should be selected correctly and economically during the installation phase.

Hygiene
֍ Keeping water resources clean
֍ Complying with all hygiene rules during the storage and transportation of water.
֍ Not being exposed to the sun where the water is stored
֍ Water chlorination, disinfection processes consciously must.
In this way, the hygiene conditions are fulfilled.

Legionnaires’ Disease and Heat Economy
Legionella bacteria in the water cause Legionnaires’ disease.
It is more resistant to chlorine than other bacteria.
Despite the chlorination process in the water supplied to the network, it is always accepted that legionella bacteria are present at low concentrations.
There are many ways to prevent Legionella bacteria from colonizing;
֍ Thermal disinfection,
֍ High temperature operation,
֍ Copper-silver ionization system,
֍ Chlorine dioxide gas injection,
֍ UV radiation method,
֍ Ozone,
֍ Excessive chlorination,
֍ Filtering and re-chlorination method
In addition to the filtration method, quaternary ammonium biocide can be used twice a week.

Energy Economy in Heating Systems
As with all systems, energy economy is very important in heating systems.
Moreover, oil, natural gas and partially electrical energy required by heating systems are the most expensive types of energy.
In our developing country, these types of energy are expensive in terms of unit price.
Therefore, saving money provides financial gain and prevents waste.
The aim here should be to minimize the amount of energy consumed without being used.
This energy saving should be considered during system solutions.
Unfortunately, in the heating systems, energy losses that are not visible or that we cannot see in other words are very serious.
What needs to be done in this regard is the careful selection of system solutions during the building construction phase, as in other systems.
In addition, the project and criteria must be followed in the manufacturing.
Issues to be considered in systems;
In the heating installations, pipe insulation should be made where necessary in accordance with the criteria.
In addition, valve insulation should be done.
However, heat losses occur.
The feet of the collector also make a heat bridge, stealing the heat carried in the pipe carrying hot water.
When the pipes are examined, the carriers and consoles also act like heat bridges.
Since there is no insulation in the hot water circulation pumps, there is heat loss.
Domestic hot water circulation pumps and storage tank covers are also heat loss points.
Similar heat losses may occur from other devices in the installation.
In addition to all these, some measures can be taken to prevent heat losses and to save energy.
These are as written below:
֍ Thermal insulation,
֍ System selection in heating (Coal, Fuel-oil and Diesel, LPG, Natural Gas),
֍ Economy with boiler control panels Alternative energies (solar energy, wind energy, heat pumps, fuel cells, hydraulic energy, geothermal energy, marine-based energy, biomass energy, heat stores),
֍ Using fireplaces in heating systems.

Energy Economy in Air Conditioning Systems
The energy used in air conditioning systems is electrical energy. In this case, electrical energy with the highest unit energy cost (kcal / h TL) is used in our country. If savings are made in air conditioning systems without sacrificing comfort, a great deal of gain is achieved. Reducing Energy Saving Rate The cooling load can be reduced by reducing the heat gain with passive measures that can be taken in the building. Choosing 1°C higher internal temperature value in summer can save over 7% in energy consumption. The most suitable air conditioning systems should be chosen for the structures to be applied. For this purpose, since the most energy consuming elements in air conditioners are the fans, the system should be evaluated accordingly. However, air ducts manufacturing and isolation should be done according to the desired criteria so that energy savings can be achieved. In addition, all devices / pumps operating within the cooling equipment should be selected carefully and the production made should be ensured in accordance with the project. As stated above, in order to ensure energy economy in air conditioning systems, first of all, the criteria related to the place of application should be selected. According to engineering calculations, details should be solved and appropriate equipment should be purchased and appropriate manufacturing-assembly should be done.
֍ Measures to be Taken in Energy Economy,
֍ Thermal insulation,
֍ Windows,
֍ Indoor air quality System selection and efficiency,
֍ Device efficiencies, pumps, air handling units and fans,
֍ Automatic control Sustainability and environment,
֍ Optimization,
֍ Turkey conditions,
֍ Electricity consumption Owner-contractor conflict Energy identity document,
֍ Is total comfort where total economy is targeted? Sum of small savings: huge savings,
֍ Plumbing Engineers Within the framework of the precautions above, all calculations should be made and the correct one should be applied.

 

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