Using SCHELL products to save water and energy: helping to achieve sustainable building certification like LEED

In these times of rising energy costs and an urgent need for ecological responsibility, the focus is now turning to sustainable building. Alongside reducing energy consumption, the responsible handling of water as a resource is also playing a central role in building planning. In countries with a hot, dry climate and threatened by water scarcity, conserving this resource is now a top priority for the construction sector. As a pioneer in the field of water-saving fittings, SCHELL offers a wide variety of solutions that not only help to improve water and energy efficiency but also pave the way to achieving international sustainable building certifications such as LEED.

Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges now faced by the construction sector. Independent studies show that operations and maintenance account for around 80 percent of a building’s lifecycle costs. Investments in fittings that save water and energy are quickly repaid – not least because hot water consumption is a significant driver for energy costs and therefore offers huge potential for making savings. Modern buildings need to achieve more than the economical handling of energy and water, however: long lifecycles and low environmental impact are other criteria that have to be met. Sustainable building also means using products whose manufacturing methods are also resource-friendly and which minimise the ecological footprint of a building over its entire lifecycle. Building certification systems like LEED aim to make the sustainability of a building and the products used for its fit-out both measurable and comparable, and thus create an incentive for environmentally and resource-friendly building.

What does LEED certification involve, exactly?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is the leading international system for rating building sustainability. The system works by awarding points to projects that meet various criteria in the fields of ecological, economic and social sustainability. When a building achieves this internationally recognised certification, this confirms that is has been designed and built to exceed the nationally applicable standards for saving energy, efficient water consumption, reductions to carbon emissions, indoor environmental quality, the responsible handling of resources and environmental impacts. Depending on the total points awarded – a maximum of 110 are available – a building can achieve one of four levels of certification (Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum).

Overview of the 9 LEED point categories

• Integrative process: max. 1 point
• Regional priority: max. 4 points
• Innovation: max. 6 points
• Sustainable sites: max. 10 points 
• Water efficiency: max. 11 points
• Materials and resources: max. 13 points
• Indoor environmental quality: max. 16 points
• Environmentally compatible location and transportation: max. 16 points
• Energy and atmosphere: max. 33 points

How SCHELL products help to achieve LEED certification

Long before building certification systems like LEED were introduced, SCHELL was already using its products to promote the responsible use of water and energy. From electronic wash basin taps to water management systems and flow regulators, Solutions from SCHELL help with the planning of green buildings while optimising their chance of obtaining LEED certification. SCHELL products are not only very helpful for improving the points awarded for water efficiency but also help buildings achieve a better rating in the LEED categories ‘Energy and atmosphere’ and ‘Materials and resources’. With SCHELL products, almost a third of the points can be achieved that are required to obtain the ‘LEED Certified’ level.

Unused potential savings for LEED, BREEAM and DGNB

Lower rates of water flow at all tapping points – as typically required by ecological building certification systems like LEED, BREEAM or DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) – help to reduce water consumption and, in the case of hot water, overall energy usage as well. In practice, these potential savings often remain unused. In addition, the impact of reduced rates of water flow on drinking water hygiene is frequently underestimated. Although the LEED system only awards one point for hygiene, this is still an important topic for SCHELL, as it is relevant for human health and compliance is also required with corresponding regulations. This is why SCHELL offers solutions that not only maximise the efficient use of water and energy but also meet the most demanding requirements in relation to user and drinking water hygiene. More information about unused potential savings and combining economy with hygiene can be found here.

Summary

When it comes to building sustainably, the fit-out of sanitary facilities has an important role to play. With its durable and water-saving products made with resource-friendly manufacturing methods, SCHELL has decisively reduced water and energy consumption without compromising on comfort or hygiene. SCHELL fittings are therefore an excellent choice for property managers aiming to obtain sustainable building certification like LEED. These fittings not only result in a better overall rating for LEED certification but also help to conserve important resources while reducing operating costs over the long term. Score with SCHELL and make your property into a green building pioneer!