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Despite the current downturn in residential and commercial construction, interest in green building practices continues to grow. There are several reasons for this. First and foremost, homeowners and property managers want lower utility bills. Second, the past several years have seen an explosion in the number and selection of "green" products, and the increased competition has driven prices downward. Finally, consumers of all types are thinking more about how their choices impact the environment, and want to know what they can do.

Plumbing and mechanical engineers play a key role in helping make a successful transition to more environmentally friendly buildings. It is not enough to specify water or energy-efficient products. Engineers must be able to explain why these products are preferable, how such products will affect the building's function, and then design systems that provide the benefits of lower operating costs while maintaining the occupants' safety and comfort.

Water Efficiency in the Home

Many designers are looking to incorporate "green" aspects into projects. Whether designing a new home, or doing a kitchen or bathroom remodel, it's important to understand how the various subsystems--plumbing, HVAC, electrical, lighting, etc.--need to work together to provide the homeowner with the desired experience.

A holistic look at water efficiency includes consideration of aspects beyond just fixture and faucet water consumption. Some of these aspects include:

* Layout of rooms, and fixtures/ faucets within rooms to minimize pipe runs. Where possible, pipe runs should be as short as practical, which in turn dictates locations of plumbing fixtures and faucets. This helps reduce the wait time and associated wasted water required for the water to reach the desired temperature. For remote bathrooms or kitchens, use of instantaneous hot water systems can be the most economical choice, especially in new construction. However, these heaters require gas or electricity at the installation site.

* Installation of secondary non-potable plumbing and waste lines if a graywater system is contemplated.

* Requirement for extra venting and humidity control is reduced with water-efficient showers.

* Sub-metering of outdoor water use, which can alert the homeowner to leaks in irrigation systems or swimming pool...

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