Harvesting condensate wastewater from commercial buildings air handling unit (AHU) drainage: An opportunity for water conservation

Abstract

Water wastage is a matter of great concern, especially in this era of rapid development. Water consumption in high-rise and large-sized buildings is very high. Furthermore, high-rise buildings use a lot of water to generate the use of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) machines. However, the waste of water from this machine is also very disturbing. Therefore, it is important for us to realize that various ways and technologies can be used and utilized to prevent waste from happening. This research focuses on the wastage of water and waste water from air handling unit machines in high-rise commercial buildings around Penang, Malaysia. To make this study a success, several methods have been used, including interviews, observation at the study site, and conducting research through newspapers, journals, reports, and so on. Through this method, data to be analyzed can be collected. In this study, several factors lead to the waste of water from the Air Handling Unit machine, which will have adverse effects on the machine, the building, and also the environment such as condensate and drainage. To overcome the problem, it is important to implement proactive routine maintenance practices for the HVAC system to reduce the AHU wastewater. The finding incorporation of water-saving methods, such as using AHU wastewater for other non-potable purposes, is a practical and ecologically appropriate approach. This research emphasizes the potential for large water savings and environmental advantages in commercial buildings, calling for greater adoption of such methods in facility management and building operations.