Commercial Properties: 3 Tips for Water Saving

With news of droughts and fires dominating the headlines, it seems water conservation is a hot topic for commercial properties. If you’re a landlord or property manager, you’re likely concerned with how you can save energy and money with efficient methods. Here are a few ways to do just that:

Monitor your commercial properties' water sources

Are the appliances in your commercial properties operating at optimal efficiency? If not, consider toilets that use less water and opt for low-flow faucets in kitchens, showers, and bathrooms. In addition, high-tech irrigation systems and tank-less water heaters can reduce the water tenants use without compromising their quality of life. That translates to energy savings because it takes power to deliver water.

On that note, our smart irrigation technology actively monitors water usage on your commercial properties, identifying ways to converse water and prevent waste. For example, it can shut off water flow if a leak or break is detected. In addition, users can adjust water usage to account for rainfall. The technology also senses soil moisture to prevent root rot.

Last, Smart Rain’s technology empowers landlords and commercial properties to save thousands of gallons of what would otherwise be wasted water. No matter the size of your commercial properties, over-watering, evaporation, and runoff can drive up your water bill fast, not to mention it’s wasteful. Smart Rain’s irrigation technology puts you in the driver’s seat so you can control exactly how much water you use when you use it, and where you use it.

Weatherize your units

Energy leaks that are easy to identify – and fix – should be addressed as soon as possible. Think caulking and weather-stripping windows and doors. Installing storm-proof windows and insulating attics, basements and other storage spaces can also help. These measures can provide a protective barrier between the property and inclement weather.

Think horizontally

Your property’s roof is an under-utilized resource. What exactly do we mean? From solar panels to community gardens, your roof can be a multi-dimensional energy-saving structure. Enter green roofs. Both visually striking and functional, a green roof— also known as a living roof — is an extension of a building’s existing roof and a green space. Some of these designs are installed on-site as one unit, but the majority of them use modular formats. Each section is arranged and placed together, often with an interlocking grid, to cover the structure.

From a practical standpoint, green roofs can assist in stormwater management. Consider the fact that a traditional commercial roof retains about a quarter of rainfall, while a green roof, on average, retains 80%. This is an advantage because decreasing the amount of stormwater runoff yields many environmental benefits. Think less stress on the sewer systems and fewer pollutants entering the water table.

Interested in learning more about how Smart Rain can improve your operations? We welcome your questions and concerns: contact us.