Saving water saves energy: time to rethink water as an energy-conserving method

Time to rethink water as an energy-conserving method

When property owners think about energy conservation, they typically focus on heating systems, lighting, and insulation. Yes, these are essential factors for making buildings more energy sustainable. But there's also a connection that often gets overlooked: water conservation.

Of the total electricity production globally, 12% is used for water production and heating tap water. Many of us know the critical energy-saving measures like lowering room heating by a degree, sealing windows, and monitoring electrical appliance consumption.

Yet water is often used carelessly without consideration for its energy impact. However, optimising water usage is one of the most effective ways to achieve energy savings at the building level.

As a property owner and manager, how can you make water consumption a continuous part of your energy efficiency strategy? Discover more in this article.

Download our Annual Water Report

Content

Climate reality: water is no longer an endless resource
Water conservation and energy efficiency: a dual approach
To sum up: where does water consume energy?
Water leaks: like leaving windows open while heating
How can we conserve both water and energy in properties?
Smartvatten makes water use water efficient
Calculate how much you could save on water
Start conserving water and energy today on your building portfolio

This means water management is not just about water but also energy and your CO₂ output.

Water is no longer an endless resource

Water has traditionally been viewed as an unlimited resource available at the turn of a tap. It's often included in rental costs or charged as a flat fee, creating the impression that consumption doesn't matter so much.

However, the climate crisis has made it increasingly clear that fresh, clean, potable water requires careful management and conservation.

Extreme weather events bring extended dry periods, forcing cities and nations to take water conservation seriously as part of their energy planning strategies. Water scarcity extends far beyond developing regions—it has become a pressing reality across Europe and Western countries, affecting communities much closer to home.

Water scarcity represents one of climate change's greatest risks, potentially affecting increasingly larger populations as global warming progresses. The most important principle to remember: even in regions with abundant water resources, every drop matters.

Water conservation and energy efficiency: a dual approach

The connection between water and energy is direct and measurable. Approximately 40% of household water consumption is hot water; the more water that needs heating, the more energy is required. For every 20% decrease in water consumption costs, energy expenditures typically drop by around 5%.

This interdependence exists at multiple levels and nationally. Water utilities consume substantial amounts of electricity by processing and pumping water - for example, Scottish Water is Scotland's largest electricity user.

Then there's the energy required to produce hot water in buildings. Additionally, 90% of global power generation is water-intensive, making water and energy truly interdependent.

Also, buildings with centralised hot water systems often run circulation pumps continuously, creating unnecessary energy consumption. Inefficient pressure management and oversized heating systems force equipment to work harder, while undetected leaks multiply energy costs when they involve hot water pipes.

Where does water consume energy?

Before water reaches your tap, it undergoes energy-intensive processes:

Water Production and Distribution:

Extraction from sources (pumping)
Purification and treatment
Distribution through municipal networks
Pressure maintenance systems

In-Building Energy Consumption:

Water heating for taps, showers, and heating systems
Circulation pumps for hot water distribution
Pressure booster systems
Water storage and maintenance heating

Wastewater Processing:

Collection and transport
Treatment plant operations
Sludge processing and disposal

Water leaks: like leaving windows open while heating

While continuous water conservation strategies are essential, if we highlight one major water-wasting factor that should be fixed immediately, it's water leaks. You wouldn't leave windows open while heating your building - water leaks create the same energy waste.

Hidden water leaks are surprisingly common and can continue undetected for extended periods. Nearly 52% of Smartvatten's residential customers experienced monthly leaks, while commercial buildings in our data faced leaks that were 3.4 times larger.

Water leaks equal energy leaks. Each leak eliminated directly translates to energy savings. The most common leak is a toilet, but pipe leaks in walls, dripping faucets, faulty water heaters, and damaged supply lines contribute significantly to waste.

On average, a single leaking toilet left unrepaired for a year costs around €1000. If hot water systems are involved, these costs multiply due to the thermal energy required for heating.

How can we conserve both water and energy in properties?

Now that we understand the connection, what needs to be done to make water conservation part of energy saving? Effective energy conservation requires integrated water and energy management.

Energy conservation tips for water management:

Immediate leak detection

Real-time monitoring systems provide minute-by-minute tracking and immediate alerts when consumption exceeds set thresholds, enabling rapid response to prevent energy waste.

Comprehensive monitoring

Smartvatten's main meter service monitors, measures, and analyses your properties' water consumption in real-time. Smart monitoring systems track water consumption and its environmental impact, considering factors like water production emissions, energy used for heating water, and property-specific consumption patterns.

Data-driven decision making

Comprehensive water data includes consumption patterns, cost analysis, and usage efficiency metrics across your properties.

Additionally, these measures have concrete effects on residents' daily lives: we have noticed that when water consumption data is simply made available, attention is paid to it. Water is saved just like energy consumption is monitored.

Smartvatten makes water use water efficient

At Smartvatten, we help property owners achieve energy efficiency through intelligent water management. Our real-time monitoring and analytics solutions enable you to identify energy-wasting leaks, optimise hot water systems, and reduce water and energy consumption across your entire portfolio.

smartvatten background laptop leakage FI 2000x1333

Calculate how much you could save on water!

Try our free Solutions Advisor to see how much your property portfolio could save on water costs.

Unlock your water savings in minutes

Calculate now!

Start conserving water and energy today on your building portfolio

Ready to discover how to speed up conserving both energy and water? Understanding your building's water-energy connection is the first step toward comprehensive energy conservation.

Contact us!