The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Retrofitting for water efficiencyWater efficient retrofits;
the plumbing and heating professional’s perspective
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringOutline
• Benefits of water efficiency retrofits• Issues and dangers with such retrofits• How pipe systems are designed?• How can the potential for retrofitting be assessed?• Top recommendations
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Benefits of water efficiency retrofits
• If metered save money• If not metered, good training for when you
are metered• New fittings / appliances for old• Can save energy on hot water production
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Hot water efficiency guidance
www.holeintheroof.org.uk
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Issues and dangers with such retrofits
• Use Water Wisely: Save Water Safely• Lifetime homes – ages of occupants• Aspirational living can lead to unsafe plumbing
– create stagnation or long run-offs / mix materials and fittings
• Legionella / Pseudomonas / electrical safety
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
CIPHE P&HE Journals
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringLifetime homes
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringTraditional layouts
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringNew home layouts
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Prestige homes –aspirational
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Resulting water supply issues
• Increased areas with little used pipework• Possibly extended run-off times to obtain
water of the desired temperature• Increased simultaneous demand leading to
dissatisfaction with appliances• Health related issues – stagnation / biofilms /
temperature control / bacteria
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Factors involved in pipe sizing
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
How pipe systems are designed?
• BS 6700, BS EN 806• Loading / Design units and probability• Lifestyle and appliance changes over time• Water efficient appliances and fittings are not
considered• Fear of undersizing – frequent oversizing
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringStandards
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringGuides
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringLUNA
• Loading Unit Normalisation Assessment • Where did loading units come from?• Are there any other methods used today?• Can we do better?
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringLUNA
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/news/103450.aspx
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringPipework
Pretty and neat- is it safe?
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringPipework
Aims of water pipework:• Convey water to where it is needed• No leaks• Minimal pressure loss• Minimal heat transfer• Minimal contamination• Avoid stagnation and low turn-over• Minimise biofilm and other microbial growth
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringLinear plumbing
• Simple traditional approach• Sentinel fitting is a WC – high volume regular
use (only works on cold water)• Tails to fittings prone to stagnation
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Looped-linear plumbing
• Simple traditional approach but with minimised tails to fittings
• Sentinel fitting is a WC – high volume regular use (only works on cold water)
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringLooped plumbing
• Loops to all fittings and appliances: minimised tails to fittings
• Both hot and cold supplies are on a loop within the room, but if no appliances are used there will be no circulation
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Fittings that may be used
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringCirculation fittings
• http://www.delabie.ru/pdf/DOC900INT/5.pdf
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringCirculation fittings
• http://www.delabie.ru/pdf/DOC900INT/5.pdf
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Circulating the loop-with a pump
Worcester Bosch Technical Bulletin TB050 a (2011/06)
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Circulating the loop-without a pump
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringVenturi Tee
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
En-suites / utility rooms / outside taps
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
How can the potential for retrofitting be assessed?
• Water audits• DIY / professional• Water Regulations/Byelaws• Water calculators / AECB guide / water bills
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringWater Audits
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringWater Audits
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Water Regs and Building Regs
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Above basin issues:Compromised air gaps
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Below basin issues:Flexible connections
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Top recommendations for saving water
• Stop wasting water – fix dripping taps and valves• Fit low volume flush WCs• Use a high efficiency dishwasher as intended• Develop a 10 year plan; to replace less efficient
appliances and fittings, taking into consideration the anticipated occupation level and pattern
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating EngineeringFix the drips and leaks
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Top recommendations for retrofitting
• Don’t just replace terminal fittings and appliances – consider the plumbing
• Aim to eliminate any stagnant water• Insulate pipes properly• Fit isolation valves to aid servicing with minimal
disruption and water loss• Protect air gaps• Draw a plan of your water supply and
drainage systems
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Where does the wastewater go?
www.connectright.org.uk
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
Recommended publications
• Water consumption in sustainable new homes (NF29)
• Water efficiency in new homes (NF20)
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering
www.ciphe.org.ukhttps://www.watersafe.org.uk
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing &
Heating Engineering