Energy Efficiency For Recreation Facilities
About the Energy Efficiency for Recreation Facilities manual
Ice rinks by their nature consume a great deal of energy in their normal day to day operation. In a typical community arena it is the operation of the ice plant refrigeration system that consumes the most energy.
Next to your staff, electricity will be your highest cost of operating an ice facility. In areas with high utility rates the cost of electricity can be in excess of $100,000.00 per year!
Through proper facility design and operation your energy costs can be significantly reduced. This easy to understand manual will show you many ways to reduce your electrical consumption. In many facilities, large energy reductions can be achieved at little or no cost by using your energy wisely.
Every dollar you save in energy costs will go straight to your bottom line. This comprehensive manual will guide you through many techniques that you can start using today in order to get control of your energy costs.
EXCERPT
Heat always travels from hot to cold. Other than flooding and the energy put into the ice by the brine pump, most of the heat entering the ice surface comes from above the ice surface. This heat must be conducted through the ice surface itself into the cooling pipes below, where the refrigeration system can remove it. The ice acts as an insulator and slows down the transfer of heat. Thicker ice dictates that the refrigeration system must operate colder and run longer in order to maintain satisfactory ice surface conditions. The illustration above depicts the necessity to maintain colder brine temperatures when the ice is thicker. For every degree the brine temperature is reduced the power consumption will increase approximately 2%. On a normal community arena if the brine temperature is reduced from 19oF to 15oF it will equate to an annual power consumption increase of approximately 60,000 Kilowatt Hours. In areas where power is 3.5 cents/kWh this will only equate to $2,100.00 per year. In high cost areas where the power is 12 cents / kWh this will equate to $7,200.00 per year. Carry out ice taps on a bi-weekly basis and keep control of your ice thickness and your power bills.
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