Huia Pool slashes energy costs
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Energy efficiencies at Huia Pool have resulted in savings that are estimated at $33,000 a year and 797,000 kWh of energy – enough to power more than 80 houses.
The efficiencies are part of a council-wide audit of energy consumption.
They have been achieved using a range of technologies and equipment. One is a new heat pump that recovers heat out of the exhaust air from the pool halls. The heat passes through an evaporation coil and then into a heat exchanger, through which pool water passes. The gas boilers are still the main source of heating, but the heat pump maintains water at 28C.
Coils have been installed which also take heat from the pool halls exhaust. The heat passes through the coils and on to incoming air, thereby increasing air temperature by about 5C.
The final innovation is a new water filtration system. Water passes by a UV lamp, killing micro-organisms in the water, which means less chlorine is required in the pool. The filters also require less backwashing than the old ones, reducing the need for town supply water. The net result is lower water, heating and chlorine costs.
The heat pump, filtration and installation was done by Hutt City’s Freeheat, with Feilding’s Commercial Ltd doing the UV and filtration plant. It was Freeheat’s first installation of this type, although it installs many heat pumps for industry and homes.
Environmental Sustainability Officer Symond Ross says the efficiency moves were implemented in June-July, so the true savings won’t be known for 6-12 months. “However, the savings so far are clear. If they continue then we can expect a saving of 797,000 kWh of energy a year and a financial saving of $33,000.”
Costings so far have not included potential savings from the new filtration system, which become apparent over time, when less water and chlorine is used and the pool requires less frequent emptying.
Asset and Summer Pool Manager Stephen Keatley says similar works are expected at Stokes Valley Pool.
Naenae Pool has been operating a heat-exchange system for several years.