October 2012
7-37
7.7
Vivarium Washing and Watering Systems
Payback
To calculate the simple payback from the water savings associated with the cage,
rack, bottle, or tunnel washer replacement, consider the equipment and installation
cost of the replacement washer, water savings as calculated in Equation 7-12, and the
facility-specific cost of water and wastewater.
Because cage, rack, bottle, and tunnel washers use hot water, a reduction in water
use will also result in energy savings, further reducing the payback period and in-
creasing replacement cost-effectiveness.
Animal Watering System Retrofit or Replacement
Water savings from retrofitting or replacing a flushing automatic animal watering
system with a recirculating automatic animal watering system will vary based on
how much water can be recirculated. Facility managers should use their judgment
when deciding whether potential water savings merit the equipment and installation
cost of the retrofit or replacement.
Additional Resources
Beckinghausen, David. October 1, 2006. “Energy-Efficient Washing Systems.”
ALN
Magazine
.
.
Cosgrove, Chris, et al. July 1, 2003. “Vivarium Automation Part 1.”
ALN Magazine
.
EPA and DOE, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Federal Energy Management
Program. May 2005.
Laboratories for the 21
st
Century: Best Practices, Water Efficiency
Guide for Laboratories
.
Pages 6-7.
.
