Water management in buildings
In a residential complex with hundreds of flats or in a hotel, limescale means problems in every combi boiler, every shower head and every dishwasher at the same time. A central softening system preserves the efficiency of heating boilers, extends the life of the plumbing and reduces complaints. Hotels also combine points with different quality requirements, such as the laundry, kitchen and pool.
Typical problems
- Scale in combi boilers, water heaters and heat exchangers; a 10–25% increase in energy consumption.
- Deposits in fittings and shower heads, guest complaints.
- Microbiological growth in water tanks, Legionella risk.
- Hardness and chlorine balance in pool water, filter performance.
- Lowering the cost of irrigation and cistern water through rainwater and greywater recovery.
Recommended solutions
| Point | System | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Main inlet | Multimedia filter + duplex softener (volume-controlled) | Scale-free water throughout the building, without interruption |
| Heating / cooling circuit | Softening + dosing | Boiler and chiller efficiency, corrosion control |
| Drinking water points | RO or UF + UV | Eliminating the cost of bottled water |
| Water tanks | UV / chlorine dosing + periodic disinfection | Legionella and biofilm control |
| Pool | Sand filter, softening, automatic dosing | Clear water, low chemical consumption |
| Irrigation / cistern | Greywater and rainwater recovery | 30–50% savings on the water bill |
Sizing
In housing, the peak flow is calculated with a simultaneity factor (for example, a peak of 15–20 m³/h for 200 flats). The softener is selected as volume-controlled and duplex; the capacity of the brine tank is set according to the weekly maintenance interval. In hotels, the occupancy rate and laundry cycles are included in the flow calculation.
How do we proceed?
- Survey of the plumbing and water analysis.
- Central/point-of-use solution plan and return-on-investment calculation.
- Installation, automation and a maintenance contract for the management.
