Water saving guide

Do you know what is

our

most valuable natural

resource?

love, luxury, money,

Let’s talk

about

cool new technology and...

...water.

At the risk of sounding rather naive, we dare to say that at Oras, we love water like some people might love, say, gold. Naive or not, this love affair is why we create no technology without its foundation in ecology. It all actually dates back to 1976; the year that we created our first single lever faucet, strictly designed to save water and energy. That became the core of Oras, the ideology through which have strived to create the most user friendly and contemporarily designed faucets. So that you can best enjoy the great luxury called water. The most valuable commodity in the world.

Over the years we have learned a lot about water and especially the remarkable costs of wasting it. That’s why this guide exists: we want to share what we know with you. Not only because saving water and energy is good, essential, for our planet, but because by doing so, you can save money. While enjoying more.

According to international surveys the situation with water in Finland is one of the best. The share of water in our residential costs has, nevertheless, grown substantially in the recent years. Together with higher energy costs, the main reasons for the growth have been the increases in the prices of both fresh and wastewater. This development has made economic use of water even more worthwhile. However, saving water does not need to be – and should not be – de-pendent on changes in personal hygiene habits. Instead, the technology of mod-ern water fittings should be utilized in or-der to bring consumption down to more reasonable levels. The Finnish use about

155 litres of water per person in a day in average, the ones prone to wasting even 260 litres! About half of it is used in washing premises, one quarter in the kitchen and the other quarter in the toi-let. A realistic goal would be to keep the daily consumption at approx. 100–120 litres. There are several measures that can help to reduce water consumption. The constant pressure valve cuts down the overpressure from the local water system, keeping the pressure to the faucet stable and thus preventing exces-sive water flows caused by overpres-sure. The Eco-button function of new user-friendly shower and bath faucets reduces the flow, maintaining it within

norms – thus without the need to com-promise the using comfort. As for new technology, touchless faucets can elimi-nate undue water consumption: water flows only during the washing event. No time is wasted on finding the right flow or temperature, and the water is not left running accidentally. All this reduces wa-ter consumption without even needing to think about changing one’s habits. Which, of course, is an important issue, too. Getting accustomed to sensible and purpose-conscious water use, together with the right selection of equipment, can lead to considerable savings during a year. You can enjoy water without wast-ing it, if the use is under control.

Water consumption

might seemlike a low interest issue

in your everyday life.

Index of real estate maintenance costs2000=100

Sometimes we take the most valuable things for granted.The price of waterSince the 1990s, the price of water has increased steadily. This is clearly visible in the diagram below, compiled on the basis of cost indexes of real estate main-tenance, collected by the Statistics Fin-land. Since 1980, the price of water has become almost fourfold, while the price of district heating and electricity has doubled. Consequently, we are facing a truly sizable and challenging task – how to stop or at least alleviate the impact of the prices of water on residential costs.

Water charges and what water really costsIn apartment associations water costs are generally covered by water charges or hot water charges that are deter-mined on the basis of the number of people living in the apartment. A water charge usually covers only a part of the actual water costs, the rest is included

in maintenance charges. This arrange-ment contributes to blurring the real price of water and the fact that all water costs will always be eventually covered by the residents. Therefore, the need to take real measures for reducing water consumption may not become clear, if people do not realize the actual size of water charges.

Let’s do some mathsIn this example of the actual water costs and covering water fees and service charges, the following cost items have been used:– Price of water 3.04 euros/m³ (includes the water and wastewater fee).– Price of power 55.76 euros/MWh (dis-trict heat to a low multi-storey building)– The share of hot household water is 40 %. In case of water consumption 180 l/res/day, the water costs formed by the water fee and power costs are 24.50 euros/res/month. If the fee collected from residents is 12 euros, the remain-ing money collected on water costs to-gether with service charges is 12.50 euros/res/month. In order to make sure that the current water fee would cover all water costs, the consumption could be 88 l/res/month.Currently, a realistic target for water consumption would be 100-120 l/res/month. If the water consumption as in this example could be reduced from 180

litres to 120 l/res/day, it would mean annual savings of 21.9m3 in water and 0.56 MWh in power per resident. When converted into euros, the total savings would be 98.00 euros/res/year.

How to reduce water consumption without reducing comfort of living?With just a little effort?

There is no shortcut to lower water and energy consumption; still, the following technical issues should be put in order:

– Reduction of the main flow – Stabilization of pressure – Cutting down the excessive flow – Prevention of water wasting

As mentioned earlier, changing one’s us-ing habits is also important. The meas-ures are mostly carried out in the given order, but nothing prevents combining them or continuing from the point that has already been reached. It should be remembered, however, that economiz-ing on the use of water (reducing the flow) should not take place at the cost of pleasure and comfort.The calculator on the homepage of Oras can help you in calculating your own possibilities for saving, the water price program is available at the address www.oras.com.

Source: Statistics Finland, 2008

Actual water costs and savings with targeted consumption

Water16.67 euros/resident/month200.00 euros/resident/year

Power7.83 euros/resident/month94.00 euros/resident/year

180 l/resident/day Total water costs

24.50 euros/resident/month294.00 euros/resident/year

Savings in water costs8.17 euros/resident/month98.00 euros/resident/year

120 l/resident/day Total water costs

16.33 euros/resident/month196.00 euros/resident/year

Water11.08 euros/resident/month133.00 euros/resident/year

Power5.25 euros/resident/month63.00 euros/resident/year

Water savings21.9 m³/year

Power savings0.56 MWh/year

Sometimes a faucet is not just a faucet.

And a huge improvement on the comfort of living.

machine.It can be a

money saving

Saving water is a big issue. Make sure you can handle the pressure.Stabilizing the pressure level in a consumer water system ensures that the water flows from faucets in the most unfavorable apartments – usually the ones at the longest distance – meet the flow standards. However, in this case the water flows from the faucets on the lowest floors still exceed the standards, since there the pressure level is higher. These excessive flows can be cut with the right choice of faucets. Such as faucets equipped with an Eco-button.

Oras OptimaThe control valve of the Oras Optima thermostat faucet is supplied with an Eco-button which limits the water flow to approximately 60 per cent of the maxi-mum flow. This factory-adjusted limita-tion can be changed easily on site with-out any special tools. The Eco-button does not restrict one to take the maxi-mum flow from the faucet, if needed.

Oras VegaThe Oras Vega single-lever faucets also come with the Eco-button. In Vega mod-els the Eco-button cuts the maximum flow so that the water flows from the

faucet with 75–90 % of the maximum flow, depending on the place of con-sumption. However, the Eco-button does not restrict one to take the maximum flow from the faucet, if needed. The same Eco-button can also be used with the wash basin and the shower to limit temperature. Naturally, this is an impor-tant safety factor in families with chil-dren, for example. In kitchen faucets the Eco-button limits only the water flow.

Economic, safe and handyThe ‘Eco-faucets’ Oras Vega and Oras Optima fullfil the three requirements to faucets that researches have shown to be most important:

They are economic, because the Eco-button cuts the overflow without restrict-ing taking the maximum flow, if needed. In the long run this enables significant savings of both water and energy.

They are safe, because the temperature limiter prevents accidental use of too hot water.

They are easy to use. The faucets are handy and ergonomic, making them pleasant to use.

The Eco-button that helps to save water and energy improves safety, too, since it also functions as a temperature limiter.

Oras Electra, Oras No. 6150F The touchless faucet for wash basins improves hand hygiene and saves water. Water flows only when hands are under-neath the faucet.

Oras Electra touchless faucet.

And energy, too. Sounds great, is priceless.

Probably the

while saving it.

most luxurious wayto enjoy water

And now for the cool technology part: a faucet that prevents the waste of water.A significant part of water consumption involves waste-running of water. In other words, turning off the faucet for the time of washing when water usage is not necessary, appears to require an effort. Because of laziness perhaps, or just old habits. Furthermore, in public premises the consumption of

water is not perceived as personal item of expenditure and as a result, the wasting of water is common. We simply don’t give it a thought. However, there is a faucet

technology available that minimizes waste-running of water and is thus especially suitable for these points of water consumption.

Oras ElectraOras Electra is a faucet especially suitable for demanding sanitation needs. While being a faucet that saves water and energy. From the Oras Electra wash basin faucet the water runs only when the hands are underneath the spout in a wash-ing position, and stops, when the hands are removed. With the Oras Electra, even the possibility of ‘van-dalism’ has been taken into ac-count. If the sensor of the faucet is covered, the faucet will shut off automatically. The water will not re-main running.

Tested economyIn 1994–95 the impact of Oras Electra on water consumption was researched in four different loca-tions. In places located in the cit-ies of Helsinki, Vantaa, Turku and Forssa, single-lever faucets were replaced with Electra models. The

consumption of water was measured for a month before and after the replace-ment. The results of water and energy saving were quite convincing: water sav-

ing accounted for 30–51 %, and the saving of energy used for heating the water, 37–44 % per each time of use.

Prevent the wasting of water in public showering premisesThe showers at swimming pools and sports halls and in the washing premises of saunas of apartment buildings use large quantities of water. Again, due to old habits, waste-running of shower wa-ter is all too common. And costly. Just think of the money that could be saved in health resorts, sports centres and the washing premises in schools. Oras Elec-tra does not waste water, since it shuts off automatically when a person leaves the shower. The shower is switched on from a touchless shower panel by plac-

ing a hand in front of the sensor within the recognition range. The water flow can also be interrupted, for example when soaping. When leaving the recogni-tion area, the water flow will stop auto-matically.

Oras Electra, Oras No. 6567Touchless flush-ing application for urinals.

Oras Electra, Oras No. 6662GThe touchless shower panel efficiently prevents wasting of shower water, without compromising on comfort or hygiene.

Oras Electra, Oras No. 6180Touchless shower body, equipped with:- 230100 coupling- 231021 shower pipe- 232002 shower screen

You can find it in the mirror.

One morevery important

factor.

Oras Cubista, Oras No. 2814FUsing touchless faucets is easy and safe – all you need to do is to place your hands under the faucet and the water will run. No need to touch the faucet – neither before nor after washing.

Old habits die hard. Until you see how easy change can be.New technology, while as effective as you’ve already seen, is only a part in the equation to considerably save water and energy in our everyday lives. But, if you’ve started to feel even remotely as passionately about water as we do, you’ll know there’s more. Make it personal. You’ll be surprised how little it takes.

Use water only when you need it

Everyone can reduce water consump-tion in their own activities, by changing habits they probably didn’t even know they had. Without having to compromise on anything necessary – or the luxury that water can offer.

In the shower...

Modern faucets are easy to use. They can be easily turned off when no water is needed, for example when soaping or washing the hair. When it is time to rinse, it is easy to turn on the faucet and take the water with exactly the suitable tem-perature. Significant quantities of water is saved by avoiding unnecessary run-ning of water.

Shaving and brushing teeth...

It is not necessary to let the water run during the whole time of shaving or when cleaning the teeth. If using a cup, sev-eral liters of water can be saved each time. A single-lever faucet can easily be turned on and off. The touchless Electra faucet again shuts off automatically, as soon as the hands are removed from be-neath the faucet.

In the kitchen...

Rinsing the dishes under running water consumes a lot of water. If such rinsing is necessary, the faucet can be turned off while placing the dishes in the drying cupboard or filling the dish-washer.

In the most private place of all...

Flushing dry waste down the toilet bowl wastes water. If a paper bin is placed in the toilet for dry wastes, no water is needed for their removal.

And there’s more...

Essentially, saving water and energy is a matter of attitude and habits, and does not require compromising on hygiene or comfort. By getting accustomed to purpose-conscious water use in addi-tion to selecting the right equipment you can considerably improve your econo-my, not to mention the health our little planet. And you might agree that even a euro saved can be put to better use than to listening to the sound of water being wasted.

Oras Natura, Oras No. 500Push the eco-button to use 50 % less water and energy. Or use normal flow when you like. The choice is yours.

The average consumption of household water by an inhabitant of an apartment building is about 180 litres per day. The inhabitant of a pri-vate house usually manages with a quantity about twenty litres less. Variations in consumption are nevertheless big:

Variation 90-270 l/res./dayAverage 155 l/res./dayTarget 130 l/res./day

Waterconsumption

application.by objects of

Source: Motiva, 2006

60

40

35

20

155l/res./day

Washing litres

Laundry litres

Kitchen litres

WC litres

Final word.

– Heating power consumption in a real estate varies by the season and the time of the day. – Power use, lighting fittings and electrical appliances all release thermal energy. – Free energy is obtained from e.g. solar heat radiation and people. – Heating the tap water takes an average 37 % of the total thermal power consumption of the real estate, 22 % of which flows straight to the drain.– Sanitary equipment has therefore a significant role in saving energy.

Not from us,but independent research.

The use of water is an important factor.The studies tell us that water equip-ment plays an important role in saving energy. For instance, modern faucets that cut water consumption in half are extremely significant, since 40 % of household water is spent showering and washing. Leaking faucets are costly too: a leakage the size of a knitting needle amounts to 300 cubic metres of wasted water per year – worth hundreds of eu-ros. Which takes us back to where this guide started. Why we love water. And you should, too.

Helsinki University of TechnologyThe Helsinki University of Technology is the second-oldest university in Finland, and the leading university for technol-ogy and architecture. Their laboratory of “LVI” technology has studied the en-ergy consumption balances of apart-ment buildings in Finland. The results are clear: in a typical apartment building an average of 37 % of heating energy is spent in heating water. As a conclusion, we can state that energy efficient wa-ter equipment and water saving faucets have a huge ecological impact. This is-sue becomes even more relevant under the new EU regulations on cutting down carbon dioxide emissions.

Thermal energy balance of a building

Source: Helsinki University of Technology

Outer wall17 %

Drain22 %

Roof6 %

Mechanicalventilation36 %

Windows15 %

Heating60 %

Electrical energy20 %

Sun and people20 %

Base floor4 %

991z

zzUS

XX

08/

2010

Oras develops, manufactures and

markets user-friendly and innovative

faucet systems and the related

valves and modules. The design and

technical solutions of our products

are driven by user-friendliness.

Oras is the market leader in North

Europe and one of Europe’s largest

manufacturers of faucets. The

Group has production facilities in

Finland, Poland and Norway.

Det Norske Veritas Certification

OY/AB certifies that the Quality

Management System of Oras Oy in

Rauma Finland, conforms to the

ISO 9001:2000 and the

Environmental Management

System to the ISO 14001:2004

standard. The certificates are valid

for development, manufacture,

marketing, sales and after sales

services of faucets, accessories

and valves.

Det Norske Veritas Certification

OY/AB has granted Oras Oy an

Occupational Health and Safety

Certificate for compliance with the

OHSAS 18001 standard.

The TÜV CERT Certification Body

of TÜV NORD Zertifizierungs- und

Umweltgutachter Gesellschaft

mbH certifies that Oras Olesno

Sp. z o. o. in Olesno Poland has

established and applies Quality

and Environmental Management

System for manufacture, storage,

marketing, sales and after sales

services of faucets, valves and

accessories. Proof has been

provided that the requirements

according to ISO 9001:2000 and

ISO 14001:2004 are fulfilled.

ORAS GROUPIsometsäntie 2, P.O. Box 40,FI-26101 RAUMA FINLANDTel. +358 (0)2 83 161,Fax +358 (0)2 831 6300E-mail: info.finland@oras.comwww.oras.com

For the further details please apply to www.oras.com