Hansa 2.0: Reinventing fittings the sustainable way

Almost daily, we are reminded of how water is our greatest treasure. Preserving it is of the utmost importance, and thankfully, there are numerous ways to help achieve this goal. One is to use smart taps which allow us to better manage our daily water usage by drawing reduced amounts of it from a source that is at the same time elegantly designed – fully aware that we are dealing with something very precious.

Incentives that encourage the increased use of sustainability-supporting products include national and international certifications and green building rating systems such as LEED, BREEAM, DGNB or WELL, which are becoming an increasingly important part of the evaluation of a building. In this process, all recordable components and measures are used in the assessment, from planning to the project's complete life cycle. The higher the score, the greater the increase in the value of the entire property. So, it is essential to install products that can meet such high requirements.

How a green future can work is demonstrated by Stuttgart-based fittings manufacturer Hansa's new ECO products. As an essential interface between the water supply and our water use, the company sees itself as responsible for contributing to the resource-saving use of this commodity, with its products as a technical and appropriately designed regulator. With this motivation in mind, Hansa has created the new ECO line, a broadly conceived expansion of its portfolio, in which more than 30 existing products from different series have been upgraded in terms of water and energy consumption.

The decision to use already familiar products for this level shift was a deliberate one. It offers planners and fabricators twofold security: meeting required sustainability standards while also being able to fall back on tried and tested systems. The new Hansa ECO models clearly focus on reducing flow rates, which automatically also reduces the energy required for the preparation of hot water. For example, instead of the usual six litres per minute, a maximum of 4.2l per minute flows through washbasin taps. In the case of kitchen taps, savings are even greater, with only up to 4.2l instead of seven litres per minute.

Selected shower fittings now also provide significantly reduced water consumption in three gradations up to a maximum of nine litres per minute. Comparing a standard version with the six-litre version, for example, results in a saving of 50% of water volume. This makes it possible to start the day with a clear conscience – HANSAMICRA, a complete shower system with thermostat, shower bar, large-area head shower and versatile hand shower, for example, has a newly developed thermostat design that means no comfort needs to be sacrificed to accommodate the lower water flow rates.

There are sheer endless choices when it comes to washbasin fittings. HANSASTELA, HANSAPOLO, HANSAPINTO, HANSAVANTIS, and HANSATWIST – a model with a contemporary look that offers the lowest flow rate in all three selectable levels – are all available in at least two versions. HANSASTELA offers a particularly high level of convenience thanks to its touch-free functionality, while also tying in with the smart trend and scoring points with its expressive look. The entire designer fittings series responds to individual aesthetic and technical needs with both its functional and design diversity.

The kitchen is another space where valuable contributions can be made to the conservation of resources. The HANSAPINTO sink fitting, with its optional 3.4 and 4.2 litre-per-minute versions and choice of lever versions which can be operated from above or from the side, as well as high and low spouts, allows for an extremely flexible array of configurations. Meanwhile, the lead-free HANSAPOLO models – which are cast in brass and geared towards the contract sector – set new standards in both the kitchen and the bathroom with their lower flow rates and ‘cold water start’ feature – whereby the hot water supply is only activated when a lever is turned.

Put simply, the entire Hansa ECO series represents an important step on our sustainability journey, with products that not only integrate conveniently and almost invisibly into our everyday lives, but which hold the potential to change our future in a meaningful and lasting way.

© Architonic

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