Fixing temperatures in major office blocks and shopping centres at higher levels than current norms can cut water consumption through air conditioning plants and help conserve resources, particularly in drought-stricken areas such as the Western Cape. 

So says Richard Murphy, head of the facilities management division of Old Mutual Properties. 

He says buildings with condenser water-cooled air conditioning systems use at least two litres of water a day for every square metre of gross lettable area.

“That means more than 100 000 litres a day gets evaporated into the atmosphere through the cooling towers at a 50 000m² shopping centre”’ he says. 

“Our data base shows that one large centre, with a lettable area of

120 000m², used 265 000 litres on air conditioning in 19 hours during a particularly hot spell.

“Marginally adjusting temperatures in shopping centres and office blocks, say, from 23 to 25 degrees, can mean savings of 20% in water consumption. 

“The question is whether you are willing to  shop and work in temperatures of 25 degrees and so contribute to savings. “