Commercial

Commercial and institutional users of water include a wide range of individuals, businesses, and organizations. Places such as schools, hotels, retail stores, office buildings, and hospitals account for up to 17% of fresh water use and 18% of energy use in the United States. Reductions in water and energy in these facilities can have a great impact in helping to meet challenges faced by our nation, including growing water needs and increasing demands on water infrastructure.

By adopting and promoting water-efficient products, services, and practices, commercial and institutional water users can greatly reduce annual water and energy costs, as well as help reduce the stress on natural resources.

Coming November 2012 – WaterSense at Work: Best Management Practices for Commercial and Institutional Facilities

For the first time, WaterSense and ENERGY STAR are coming together to challenge commercial and institutional buildings to reduce water and energy use in the Battle of the Buildings, EPA’s 2012 National Building Competition.

Start saving water and energy now by taking action:

• Consider installing WaterSense labeled products in your building.
• Explore best management practices to improve your building’s performance.
• Consider tools for energy-efficient design and management strategies.
• Find a WaterSense irrigation partner to help improve the efficiency of your irrigation system.
• Track your water and energy use in ENERGY STAR®'s portfolio manager .
• Explore other ways to green your building.
• Follow WaterSense as it considers development of a program for commercial and institutional facilities.
• Visit the Alliance for Water Efficiency Resource Library for more information on commercial and institutional water efficiency.