Water efficiency is climbing higher on the agenda for businesses, with rising costs and increasing pressure to cut consumption. For installers working on washrooms in light commercial buildings, this presents a significant opportunity, explains Richard Braid, Managing Director of Cistermiser and Keraflo.
Whether fitting out an office, retail space or hospitality venue, selecting the right flushing, urinal control and water management products can reduce waste, improve reliability and lower maintenance demands – all while helping customers meet sustainability targets.
For many installers, the biggest concern when recommending water-saving products is ease of installation. Business owners and facilities managers want cost-effective upgrades that don’t require major renovations or downtime. This is where direct flushing solutions, sensor-controlled urinal systems and smart water management technology, come into play. These products not only deliver significant savings but are also straightforward to fit and maintain, making them a great upsell for your commercial customers.
Direct flushing
One of the most effective ways to cut water waste in commercial washrooms is direct flushing. Traditional cistern-fed toilets are prone to leaks, with worn seals, scale build-up and faulty mechanisms leading to a constant trickle of wasted water – often unnoticed until bills start creeping up. Direct flush systems remove the need for a cistern altogether, connecting directly to the mains supply for a reliable, leak-free flush every time. They also save water by using a precisely controlled volume per flush, reducing unnecessary overuse.
For installers, Cistermiser’s Direct Flush range offers a simple, retrofit-friendly solution. The system is easy to install, requiring only a mains water connection and power supply, with no need for a bulky cistern. Its infrared sensor technology means the toilet only flushes when needed, cutting down on wasted water.
With DEFRA setting realistic targets to cut leakage by 37% by 2038 and 50% by 2050, direct flush solutions like these will become standard practice in commercial settings – and proactive installers who introduce them to customers now will be ahead of the curve.
Controlling urinals
Urinal control is another major issue in commercial buildings. Many older systems flush on a timer, meaning water is wasted whether the facilities are in use or not. The result? Many thousands of litres of water lost each year.
Cistermiser’s Direct Flush urinal control system eliminates this issue by using infrared sensors that only trigger a flush when the urinal has been used. This reduces water consumption by up to 182,000 litres per urinal annually. From an installation perspective, it’s a quick and simple replacement for outdated systems and because it’s low maintenance, it’s a hassle-free recommendation for customers who want to keep long-term costs down.
Savings on tap
Another area where installers can make a difference is in taps and water outlets. Communal washrooms are high-use environments and traditional taps, particularly those left running, can waste huge amounts of water. Upgrading to sensor taps is a simple, effective way to cut consumption while improving hygiene.
Cistermiser’s Vecta+ Sensor Taps are a straightforward fit, running only when motion is detected and shutting off automatically to prevent excessive use. For customers, this means lower water bills and fewer maintenance issues, making them an easy sell for any commercial washroom project.
Water efficiency doesn’t just stop at the point of use. Storage tanks in commercial buildings can also be a source of waste and inefficiency, particularly if they’re not well managed. Keraflo’s Tanktronic system offers smart tank monitoring, ensuring water levels are optimised to prevent stagnation and unnecessary storage. This is a valuable addition for larger sites such as hotels, schools and office buildings, where poorly managed tanks can lead to higher costs and hygiene risks.
Installation
From a practical installation perspective, these solutions are designed to be as straightforward as possible. Many of Cistermiser’s products are retrofit-friendly, meaning they can be easily installed in existing buildings without major disruption. Sensor-based systems reduce maintenance requirements and direct flushing solutions eliminate common failure points like cistern seals and mechanical flush mechanisms. This means fewer call-backs and happier customers – a win-win for installers.
With water efficiency targets tightening and businesses looking to cut unnecessary costs, now is the time for installers to introduce smarter solutions to commercial customers. Whether it’s direct flush toilets, sensor-controlled urinals, automated taps or tank management systems, these upgrades not only deliver real savings but also make facilities easier to maintain in the long run. For installers, being the expert who can recommend and fit the correct products adds real value to any project – while helping customers future-proof their water systems for years to come.
