Water pumps play an important role in buildings and industries all across the world. As such, they account for a significant amount of the global energy expenditure. In the U.S., for example, pumping systems expend 25% of all the energy used by electric motors. While efforts have been made to increase the efficiency of pumps and distribution systems to save money and minimize environmental impact, the journey is far from over.
Many businesses and institutions today are implementing smart and energy-efficient pumps and reworking existing distribution systems to be more efficient. These changes may seem small, but they can have an enormous impact, especially when they’re adopted across entire industries.
What Are Sustainable Building Practices?
Despite what you might think, sustainable building practices extend beyond the construction of the building. The U.S. Green Building Council established the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system to promote a green approach to buildings that considers the profound impact they can have on the natural world and the people around them. These guidelines are the most widely used in the world and cover the lifespan of the building from cradle to grave, which includes:
- The materials used in construction.
- The building location.
- How the materials are transported to the building site.
- The energy systems that power both the construction and operation of the building.
- The lights and HVAC systems.
- The water-based fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, and pumps.
- The waste systems and practices.
- The implementation of natural lighting.
- How the building is cleaned and maintained.
- How the building is renovated.
- How the building is demolished at the end of its life.
Adhering to these principles can earn you one of four LEED certifications — Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. These certifications indicate commitment to green building principles and are based on a point system. Your building can earn points based on everything from sustainable construction practices to energy-efficient pumping. It can even receive new certifications if improvements to sustainability have been made between evaluations.
Engaging in green practices and earning certification comes with a host of benefits, both for you and the environment. Businesses with LEED certifications may be seen as committed to the public good, which can foster trust and goodwill. Sustainable building practices also reduce your energy expenditure, waste generation, and carbon footprint. By contributing to the fight against climate change, they help preserve the flora and fauna in your community and the world.
What Makes a Pump Sustainable?
Sustainability practices extend to the water pumps used in your building. Residential and commercial water pumps have seen tremendous innovations in recent years, making them more powerful, resilient, and easy to use. Newer models are also more sustainable, with features designed to reduce energy expenditure and waste while increasing operational efficiency. Some of the most exciting new features are:
- More efficient impellers and motors: These mechanisms are the beating heart of the pump, and as time has passed, newer designs have emerged that cut down on the energy required to operate them at speed. You can take this efficiency even further by choosing motors and impellers that are the correct size and operating them within the recommended speed ranges.
- Variable frequency drives (VFDs): Smart pumps have become increasingly common because of their ability to decrease energy expenditure and cost overall. The VFDs that control these pumps are capable of analyzing the demand in the building and automatically adjusting the flow — and power — accordingly. While more traditional pumps tend to operate at a flat rate unless manually adjusted, smart pumps can respond in real time to the needs of the people they serve and significantly cut down on excess.
- Intelligent pump monitoring and control systems: Through the use of digital sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, smart pumps can also closely monitor the pump’s output over time, collecting and synthesizing data so that you can better understand your building’s needs and the pump’s activity from a bird’s eye view. The pump can also be adjusted remotely, enhancing response times and giving you the ability to identify problems and opportunities for waste reduction.
Sustainability extends beyond the pump, too. You can work toward total system integration by optimizing the flow of your distribution system, wastewater disposal system, and more so that they all work and support one another in the simplest, most efficient way possible.
Relying on solar or geothermal power and other renewable energy sources to power your water pumps can also go a long way in minimizing your building’s carbon footprint.
What Are the Benefits of Sustainable Commercial Water Pumps?
Sustainability brings a host of benefits, both for you and your environment. While it will take time, money, and effort to upgrade your water pumps, embracing green building practices can pay off in big ways.
When it comes to you and your business, sustainable water pumps have the power to:
- Decrease overall utility costs.
- Improve public relations through a commitment to change and the environment.
- Increase your LEED ratings.
- Offer insights into your building’s pumping trends and processes.
- Give you more direct control over your pumps through the IoT.
Sustainable water pumps have just as many environmental benefits. These benefits include:
- A reduced carbon footprint.
- Support for renewable sources of energy.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
- Decreased wastewater production and disposal.
- Contributing toward net-zero emissions.
- Increased synergy with the natural world and its processes.
When these benefits are combined, the true value of these innovative new pumps becomes clear. You might even find that your upgraded water pumps pay for themselves in reduced costs once they’ve been up and running for a while.
More importantly, however, your business’s commitment to sustainability makes it easier for team members to commit. In this way, sustainable pumps protect and preserve your local environment and contribute to the preservation of environments around the world.
Invest in Sustainable Water Pumps With Zoeller Pump Company
Sustainability is a journey, but it’s not one you have to take alone. Zoeller Pump Company has been helping people find the pump that suits their needs since 1939. Our expansive inventory of pumps covers everything from sump pumps to grinder pumps, and you can find us at distributors all across the country. Our pumps are made in the USA using 95% U.S. content. Whether you’re looking for something residential or commercial, we’ve got you covered.
To learn more about our offerings, fill out our contact form or give us a call at 800-928-7867.
