Smart Water Efficiency Enhances Energy Savings Across Commercial Industries

Reducing the consumption of water and energy is a clear path to sustainability for commercial buildings. What may be less obvious, though, is how water and energy efficiency go hand in hand to increase savings across the board. Facilities that add water conservation to their efficiency plans not only save on water costs—they also see significant energy savings. 

In fact, Budderfly’s integrated water and energy solutions can deliver up to 30% combined savings for our customers. 

The connection between water and energy savings reveals a lot about the power of a comprehensive sustainability solution. In this blog post, you can learn how water-saving solutions boost energy efficiency and bottom-line performance, and how this impacts commercial buildings across different industries. 

Why Water Efficiency Drives Energy Savings 

The Water-Energy Nexus: Every gallon of water heated or pumped requires electricity, which means wasted water leads to wasted energy and inflated bills. This additional energy shouldn’t be underestimated. A high amount of energy is required to heat water. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating accounts for about 18% of the average home's energy use. Put that consumption on a commercial scale, and the costs are incredibly high. 

Water conservation technologies can be installed in commercial buildings to drive down water usage, and as a result also lower the amount of energy needed to heat water. This can have a significant impact on energy savings.  

Budderfly’s Integrated Approach 

Budderfly offers a suite of commercial water and energy efficiency solutions to our customers. We install cutting-edge equipment to lower energy usage, such as high-efficiency HVAC systems, LED lighting, refrigeration controls, and more. Our water conservation technologies are added to boost sustainability and savings.  

Low-flow fixtures reduce water consumption, leak detection technology prevents waste, and meter optimization ensures monthly utility costs aren’t inflated.  

By combining water and energy solutions for a comprehensive, sustainable efficiency program, Budderfly helps businesses achieve up to 30% in utility savings.  

Vertical-Specific Impacts 

Fitness Centers, Studios & Gyms 

• Fitness center utility savings make a big impact on operating costs 

• High water volume in showers and faucets and the energy needed to maintain a comfortable atmosphere make utilities one of the top operating costs for gyms  

• Water-efficient fixtures cut hot-water demand, reducing HVAC and hot water heating load 

Convenience Stores & Fast-Food Outlets 

• Commercial kitchens, mop-sink use, and restrooms drive high usage in convenience stores and quick-service restaurants 

• Water metering optimization prevents overbilling, while waste heat recovery from drain water boosts convenience store water reduction 

• Budderfly’s integrated water and energy solutions enhance overall efficiency 

Hotels & Hospitality 

• Guest showers, laundry operations, and kitchen use lead to high water demand in the hospitality industry 

• Low-flow fixtures plus leak detection unlock major reductions in hot water heating and associated energy load for hotel utility savings 

• Sustainability is a marketing differentiator for eco-conscious guests, and hotel water reduction enables better sustainability outcomes 

Office Buildings 

• Restroom and kitchen water use drive up utility bills 

• Meter optimization and fixture upgrades reduce hot and cold-water demand to aid office building utility savings by saving pump and heating energy 

• Water efficiency complements lighting and HVAC upgrades for holistic utility savings 

Retail Stores 

• Water is used at high levels in retail store restrooms and breakrooms 

• Low-flow fixtures and leak monitoring help with retail water reduction to eliminate utility spikes 

• Energy savings are also generated by reduced water pumping and temperature control systems, furthering overall retail utility savings 

Top Water-Efficiency Technologies that Save Energy 

There are many commercial water-saving technologies on the market, and it can be overwhelming to try and learn which can be the most impactful for a business. Budderfly’s experts do the research for you to learn which solutions deliver the most savings and which also boost energy savings.  

Water-efficient fixtures: Low-flow faucets and hands-free aerators reduce hot water demand in sinks. 

Pressure-compensating dish sprayers and toilets/urinals: These advanced technologies reduce water usage in kitchens and restrooms without sacrificing power and effectiveness for cleaning. 

Intelligent leak detection systems: Leaks can go unnoticed for months, even years, wasting water and costing businesses a lot of money unnecessarily. Smart lead detection systems can sense leaks as they start, so they can be fixed immediately to prevent water and energy waste.  

Accuracy-enhancing flow control valves: Specialized valves can be attached to water meters to improve readings. This helps businesses avoid overbilling and reduces air-caused metering errors. 

Cold-water heat capture: New technology can recover wasted water from ice machines and help commercial building boost equipment cooling efficiency by up to 18%. 

Implementation Strategy 

Selecting the Right Water + Energy Partner 

• Look for providers who offer comprehensive energy efficiency and water solutions, covering upfront costs, installation, and ongoing management 

• The right provider will help you save time and money and be able to guarantee savings outcomes 

• When considering a provider, see if they offer remote monitoring, leak alerts, fixture and valve installation, and billing consolidation 

Assessment & Benchmarking 

• Your provider should conduct an initial assessment of your current water usage, meter accuracy, and water-related energy draw 

• They’ll identify high‑usage zones (e.g., kitchens, locker rooms) and create a plan to install the technologies that will reduce overall consumption. 

Installing Solutions & Training Staff 

• The next step is to install fixtures, valves, and sensors across your facility. This should happen with minimal downtime for your business 

• You will need to train staff on leak-response protocols and water-saving habits to maximize the efficacy of solutions 

Monitoring & Optimization 

• Once solutions are in place, they will continuously be monitored to measure savings and ensure ongoing efficiency 

• Budderfly’s customers can use the Customer Portal to monitor their water and energy usage, see any alerts to fix potential issues, and see how much they're saving 

• Monthly savings reports can be generated to help track and market sustainability goals 

Sustainability & Compliance Benefits 

Water efficiency is a vital part of commercial sustainability solutions. Reducing water consumption not only streamlines operations, but it contributes significantly to sustainability goals and carbon reduction targets. Conserving water can enhance a business’s narrative for sustainability marketing and improve public perception.  

Water conservation also prevents regulatory risks from excessive water usage or health/code violations. Using less water helps future-proof your business from extra costs or operational disruptions down the line.  

Optimizing water efficiency is not merely an operational nice-to-have. It’s a direct enabler of energy savings, cost reduction, and environmental leadership. Across fitness centers, hotels, retail, convenience stores, office buildings, and fast-food restaurants, integrated energy and water-efficient technologies drive measurable utility savings of up to 30%. 

Partner with Budderfly to deploy low-flow fixtures, meter optimization, leak detection, and energy-saving systems, with zero upfront cost for standard installs. 

FAQs 

Q: How does reducing water use save energy in commercial buildings?

A: Less water usage means less water to heat, treat, or pump—lowering electricity and thermal energy demand.

Q: Can Budderfly’s water conservation solutions integrate with existing energy-saving technologies?

A: Yes—Budderfly offers combined upgrades at no upfront cost for standard installs, including water fixtures, leak detection, HVAC, refrigeration controls, and LED lighting, all monitored through one platform. 

Q: What industries benefit most from water-energy synergy?

A: Facilities with high water and energy usage—like gyms, hotels, restaurants, offices, convenience stores, and retail—see the highest combined savings. Budderfly’s offerings serve each vertical.