A flow regulator does just that, it regulates the flow of water independant of water pressure to provide you with a constant predictable flow of water. Various models of flow regulators are avaliable that provide a wide range flow rates and can be used in many applications.

The following graph illustrates how a 6 litre per minute flow regulator regulates the flow rate of water through it regardless of the pressure whereas the flow rate increases as the pressure increases in the unregulated scenario.

Regulated flow and Unregulated flow vs. Pressure

Benefits

• Flow regulators offer many benefits, including:
• Save Water by preventing excess water from being wasted
• Save Energy by preventing hot water from being wasted
• Accurately predict how much water is used per device – especially usefull in large buildings
• Achieve controlled distribution in your building – see section on controlled distribution below

How they save

Flow regulators ensure that enough water is delivered in various applications to do the job and no more. This prevents the additional water that would be delivered in an unregulated environment from being wasted.

Substantial amounts of energy is also saved as the amount of hot water that is wasted during various activities – such as showering and washing hands – is reduced substantially.

As can be seen in the graph above, the area between the Controlled Flow and Normal Flow graphs is tha mount of water that is saved.

Expected Savings

It all depends on the application, but the two most significant areas of saving are typically showers and wash basins. Approximately 10 litres per minute is saved per 5 minute shower which amounts to 18,250 litres per shower per year.

This amounts to roughly R1,200 per person per shower per year which will be saved in electricity alone! We have assumed that electricity is R0.70 per kWh, the average length of a shower is 5 minutes and that a person takes one shower per day.

How they work

Easy Energy’s range of flow regulators are built according to a very simple, yet ingenius design. As illusrated in the figure below, the each flow regulator is comprised of 3 parts:

• The Core
• The Dynamic Elastomer
• The Housing
• Components of a Flow Regulator

As illustrated in the figure below, the dynamic elastomer (black) is compressed as the water pressure increases which in turn reduces the size of the gap (blue) through which water can flow. This mechanism ensures that the water’s flow rate is reduced regardless of the water pressure.

How the flow regulator works

Controlled Distribution?

Controlled distribution is the process of ensuring that all devices connected to a specific water supply receive a constant amount of water regarless of any activity upstream. Many buildings suffer from the negative effects of unequal distribution.

Controlled distribution can easily be achieved though the use of flow regulators as illustrated in the figures below.

Examples of where controlled distribution is beneficial

Example of Use

Flow regulators can be used in various applications, some include:

• Showers
• Basins
• Large pipelines

Virtually and application that requires a fixed flow rate

Flow regulators can be used in any building, including:

• Homes
• Schools
• Boarding Schools
• Hotels
• Prisons
• Factories
• And many more…

Payback Period

The payback period all depends on the application. The payback for a flow regulator used in a shower is typically 2 months.

Comparison

Many water saving devices exist on the market, but very few provide the results that flow regulators do. The reason being that majority of water saving devices are flow restrictors and not flow regulators which means that the flow rate cannot be pegged at a particular flow rate independant of pressure.

Purchasing Options

Easy Energy supplies the product and can also install the flow regulators. Please contact us for further information regarding flow regulators.

Filed under: Water Efficiency