For a commercial property manager in Central Pennsylvania, water is often a significant line item on the annual budget. Unlike residential users, commercial buildings face higher tiered rates, sewage surcharges, and the added costs of heating large volumes of water.
The challenge? You can’t simply “turn off” the water to save money. Your tenants expect high-performing toilets and consistent water pressure. At Bob Means Plumbing, we’ve helped numerous local businesses reduce their water overhead by 20% to 40% through strategic upgrades and efficiency audits—all without the tenants ever noticing a difference.
The Hidden Cost of “Legacy” Fixtures
Many office buildings in the Harrisburg area are still running on plumbing fixtures installed 20 years ago. While they might still “work,” they are incredibly inefficient.
- Older Toilets: Can use up to 3.5 or 5 gallons per flush (GPF).
- Older Urinals: Often use 1.0 to 1.5 GPF.
- Standard Faucets: Can flow at 2.2 gallons per minute (GPM).
Modern, high-efficiency fixtures (HEFs) use roughly 1.28 GPF for toilets and as little as 0.125 GPF for urinals. When multiplied by hundreds of employees, the savings are staggering.
The Efficiency Audit: Finding “Low-Hanging Fruit”
The first step in cost control is a Commercial Plumbing Audit. At Bob Means Plumbing, we look for “invisible” waste:
- Pressure Management: Many buildings have water pressure far higher than necessary (80+ PSI). High pressure doesn’t just waste water; it wears out valves and seals prematurely. Installing a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) can immediately lower consumption.
- Leaking Flush Valves: A single “running” commercial flushometer can waste thousands of gallons a month. Because they are in public restrooms, they often go unreported for weeks.
Upgrades That Pay for Themselves
We focus on upgrades with a clear Return on Investment (ROI). For example, switching to sensor-operated faucets and flush valves doesn’t just save water; it improves hygiene and reduces the physical wear and tear that leads to manual valve failure.
Why Performance Matters
We understand that “low flow” used to mean “low power.” Thankfully, those days are over. We install professional-grade fixtures designed to provide a powerful flush and steady pressure while using a fraction of the water. Our goal is to help you reach your sustainability goals without receiving a single tenant complaint.
Ready to lower your utility bills? Contact Bob Means Plumbing at (717) 412-7434 or request a commercial water efficiency audit online.
