Smarter Pump Systems: Because Every Drop—and Watt

Today is World Earth Day! And to commemorate the day, we're looking at how building services pumps can save water, cut costs, and meet sustainability goals for clients.

For facilities managers and engineers, balancing building performance with sustainability targets is no small task. But on World Earth Day, it’s worth turning our attention to one simple upgrade that can make a big difference: your building services pumps. From pressure boosters to heating systems, pumps are at the centre of building operations—and when optimised, they can quietly deliver significant water, energy, and cost savings. In this blog, we uncover how.

Smarter Pump Systems = Bigger Water Savings

Many facilities still run traditional fixed-speed or oversized pumps that use more energy—and water—than necessary. By switching to efficient pressure boosters and incorporating Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), you can reduce energy consumption by up to 40%, according to calculations from Grundfos.

deckpro's Operations Manager, Joe Smith says: “In a world where we should all be focusing on energy saving and our carbon footprint, using variable speed drives effectively is key. VFDs automatically adjust pump output based on demand—meaning you’re not using full power when you don’t need to. That not only cuts energy usage, but also helps save water by keeping flow rates in check."

In one recent project, we helped a client achieve over 80% efficiency savings by making the switch. Yet despite the proven results, many FMs remain hesitant about the upgrade. We explore the slow adoption of VFDs—and why now’s the time to reconsider—in our blog here.

Variable Speed Drives: Why aren't we unlocking their full potential?

Even small changes to flow rates can lead to big results. A study by FMUK Online highlighted that reducing flow from 10 litres per minute to 4 litres can reduce water use by up to 60%—and that’s before factoring in the cost of heating all that water. Need help with understanding the implications of reducing your flow rate - and what would be most suitable setting for your facility? Get in touch with us for guidance.

Don’t Overlook Maintenance

When it comes to pump systems, routine maintenance can be the difference between efficiency and excess. Regular checks will help detect emerging issues that can lead to energy losses. For example, worn components can lead to higher consumption and inefficiencies. Checking impellers, pressure settings, and tuning pipework layouts can help avoid waste—and improve performance.

Top Tip: oversized pumps doesn't mean better performance. In fact, oversizing is one of the most common causes of excessive energy use in pump systems.

An Easy Win for Sustainability Reporting

Sustainability targets aren’t going away. Whether it’s for BREEAM certification, ISO 14001, or ESG reporting, demonstrating savings in water and energy usage is becoming more important for every facility.

Optimising your pump systems is a relatively low-effort way to show real, measurable progress on your sustainability roadmap—without needing to overhaul your entire infrastructure.

Real-World Example: Robinson Pool

Take Robinson Pool in Bedfordshire – a public pool that was running on three 40-year-old Worthington Simpson pumps using 9.3kW motors. The system was riddled with leaks, scale build-up, and inefficient pipework, and yet the facility needed to stay open 16 hours a day, seven days a week.

Our team was brought in to design a solution that could be installed overnight with no disruption to daily operations. By switching to inverter-driven Modus pumps and installing custom-made, pre-fabricated pipework, energy consumption was cut by an incredible 82% – all without the pool ever closing to the public.

“This job shows what’s possible with the right planning and design. You don’t have to choose between energy savings and service continuity – with the right approach, you can have both.”

Thinking About Upgrades?

Whether you’re managing a school, hospital, gym, or commercial office, reviewing your current pump setup could reveal savings hiding in plain sight. At deckpro pumps, we’re here to support with tailored advice, routine maintenance, or full system upgrades—whatever works best for your site and your goals.

Happy World Environment Day! 🌏