Top economical energy/resource savers not being implemented in the commercial industry

There are some very simple ways to save energy domestically or commercially.  These easy methods require little change in the way things operate and cause minimal disruption when being put in place.  

1. Insulation: Insulating a geyser & 5 m of hot water pipes can save you up to 60% energy usage of the geyser. From think-pink to isotherm, cellulose fibre to polystyrene balls there is an insulation method for every area. Insulation keeps us cooler in summer, warmer in winter and will save us money all year round.

2. Water saving Shower heads, Kitchen Sprayers & Tap Aerators: Heating water contributes to about 40% of all electricity consumed. Utilising water saving shower heads will always save you money as it reduces the water flow in return reducing the amount of energy used to heat the water. Industrial water saving devices such as rinsers can save up to 80 % of the water consumption. In an institution with many restroom facilities, aerators are economical devices used to reduce the flow of water to a maximum of 6l per a minute. All of the above mentioned water saving devices pay for them selves within 6 months to a 1 year..

3. Awareness: Creating awareness and monitoring consumption will help an organisation identify areas where energy saving is not being implemented. Usage meters are readily available to install directly into DB boards. Changing the temperature on a thermostat or geyser by as little as 1 degree and installing timers (or switching off electrical appliance at the socket) all are proven methods in reducing energy consumption.

Repairing a Concrete Ridge Piece

When it needs to be done

Repairs to ridge pieces will need to be done if there are leaks, if the mortar is missing (a common problem after a bad pressure wash) or the pieces are loose.

Re-pointing the tiles in areas with diverse weather conditions is not recommended as the grouting tends come lose. There are many products out there to help with flexibility & adhesion which we will cover another time.

How to do it

If the tiles are loose they are going to need to be relayed. Removing the mortar is easy enough work if they are ready to be repaired.

To clean the tiles tap the mortar lightly with a sharp chisel.

Next you need to run a builders line (or use a straight edge) to keep your line.

Lay the mortar 50mm x 50mm away from the edge to avoid the mortar mix falling in the cavity. You can use your old mortar pieces or broken tile bits between ridge pieces to support the mortar.

Start laying at one end and tap the tile lightly a couple of times with the back of the trowel to set it level into the mortar. Continue by laying another bed of mortar either side and installing your next tile, tapping it lightly to set and level it. Patience is the key, avoiding trying to lay to many tiles before neatening up.

Tips

Getting the correct water ration is crucial. It needs to be 1 part cement to 3-4 parts sharp sand and a minimal amount of water. If the mix is too wet you will leave many marks and there will be too much slump, making it difficult to use your trowel.

We use a large and small trowel and a 20L bucket. If you are working alone we recommend using 5L containers and using a hoist to pull it up.

If you make the mortar too wet, wait before trying to neaten it up. Let it settle and float it. If you do mess, do not attempt to lightly hose or wire brush the mortar before it has settled.

A last resort to fixing the ridge pieces would be to paint the roof capping in a waterproof paint. 

Water Storage Tanks

Although it doesn't feel like it at the moment, we are soon going to be hitting the dry season, and it's predicted to be one of the coldest driest winters yet this year.
Rain water storage tankers (commonly known by the brand of 'Jojo' tanks) come in many different sizes and colours and are used commercially and domestically.

Most domestic tankers are vertical and are used to supplement a house's water supply. One of the most common uses is so garden's can still be watered when it is dry without wasting clean (expensive) water from the taps. A lot of these tankers can be attached to a gravity feed to eliminate the need for pumps, but to do this they need to be raised.

You can buy pre-made stands that are quite pricey, but custom-made stands can be made with bricks and cement, they are much cheaper and can be painted and plastered to match your building. They are also more eco-friendly compared to pre-made stands as they require less energy to make and the materials can often be sourced locally.

The picture is of one we recently made for one of our environmentally conscious customers.