Implementing energy-saving measures may be difficult in a leisure centre, given their huge energy requirements. However, some measures can be put in place to reduce the energy consumption of a leisure centre. They include:
Installing variable-speed drives (VSDs) in your swimming pools
Variable-speed drives (VSDs) are fitted between the energy supply and the motor. They’re variable in that they can change the circulation rate of the pool based on how many customers are using it. Overnight or during quiet pool hours, the VSDs will feed less power to the motor. This means your pool uses less power and is, therefore, more energy efficient.
VSDs can be used to reduce the energy costs of your swimming pool by up to 50%.
Making your lighting system environmentally friendly
In some cases, lighting can total around 1/5th of a leisure centre’s entire energy costs. If you’re still using an old fluorescent tube lighting system, you should consider updating to LED. LED lighting can help reduce your energy bill significantly by providing around 90% better efficiency than fluorescent tube lighting.
Not only is LED better from an efficiency point of view, but it’s also a more comfortable light to work out in. For one, it offers far less glare than fluorescent tubes. Plus, you can easily connect LED lights to dimming features, allowing you to set your leisure facility to whatever lighting level you wish.
In addition to getting LED lights, we also recommend making your lighting system motion-sensored. If you support a huge fitness centre, it’s unlikely that all rooms will be in use at all times. With motion-sensor lights, lights are only on where they need to be.
Maintain your building better
Older leisure centres definitely require regular maintenance checks throughout. This includes checking the plumbing for leaks, the window and walls for draughts, and the air conditioning for faults. Sometimes the most significant loss of energy comes from carelessness. Simply fixing the problems that your building has could save you lots of money.
Although it may be costly, installing insulation and double-glazing could save you a fortune in the long run. By insulation, we mean both the walls as well as your pipework. Insulating your pipework would mean you won’t have to waste power constantly reheating water, as the water in the pipes stays warm.
Alternative energy sources
Although this will cost you a lot, making your centre more financially viable in the long run is worth it. Plus, by opting for more eco-friendly energy solutions, you’ll reduce your carbon emissions and make your centre greener.
The best energy-saving option would be to install solar panels. This way, your sports equipment could run solely on solar electricity. Alternatively, you could heat your facility using ground-source heat pumps. Thames Valley Athletics Centre (TVAC) made headlines in 2021 for replacing eight gas boilers with a single ground source heat pump.