It’s that time of year when people flock to leisure centres. Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or a realisation that the festive season took its toll, gyms and swimming pools around the UK fill up. For leisure centres, it’s a great revenue earner. But it also affects their costs – especially variable costs such as energy. Overall for the sector, energy is second only to labour in the cost base, accounting for 30% of total budgets. Therefore, energy efficiency is a crucial consideration. Here at Hodgkinson Bennis, saving costs and creating more energy efficient leisure centres is a key part of our service.
Saving millions and saving the environment at energy efficient leisure centres
The Carbon Trust has some useful information for the sector to focus on improving your energy efficiency. Just by making a 10% improvement in the management of energy use, UK leisure facilities could save up to £70 million each year. This would also serve to reduce carbon emissions by hundreds of thousands of tonnes. The Carbon Trust focuses on three key areas: heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); lighting; and energy management. Clearly, the first of these is the place where Hodgkinson Bennis can really help.
Energy efficiency starts with heating, hot water, ventilation and air conditioning
The obvious place to start in creating a more energy efficient leisure centre may be with new HVAC equipment, from a boiler through to air handling units. We’re experts at fitting and commissioning new plant while causing minimum disruption to your clients and your staff. With our years of experience, we know the latest Building Regulations inside out. These regulations set minimum efficiency standards for new and replacement boiler installations. We can specify even higher-efficiency boilers so leisure centres gain even more savings from an energy-efficient heating system.
We’ll also be able to talk you through such issues as whether a biomass boiler might be the best option. You may qualify for the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). This government environmental programme provides financial incentives to increase the uptake of renewable heat by businesses. Our team of experienced biomass engineers can carry out installations, using various fuels and transport systems.
The best equipment deserves regular maintenance
However energy-efficient your boiler is, it needs regular servicing and maintenance to keep it operating at peak efficiency. We can undertake annual gas safety checks for gas equipment. And for steam boilers and high-pressure hot water boilers we can undertake Pressure Systems Safety Regulations inspections. Similarly, we can maintain your system’s pipework to ensure that heating and hot water are distributed effectively throughout your system.
Smooth running with the latest in control systems
Hodgkinson Bennis can also help in providing the latest technology in control equipment. One option might be an optimum start controller might be more useful. This learns how quickly the building reaches the desired temperature. In turn that ensures the system is operating only during hours when staff and customers need heating, ventilation and cooling. Alternatively, a compensator automatically regulates heating temperature based on what is happening outside, even in the UK’s unpredictable climate. And for leisure centres in particular, one area where you can often save money is not running fans when they’re not required. Not only do continuously running fans waste energy, they also remove heat from the building.
Improving energy efficiency is a team effort
To make sure that you keep saving on those energy bills, it’s important to get everyone involved in not wasting heat and hot water. Get your staff on board to save energy, and consider appointing an energy saving champion to act as a focal point. But make sure your customers are also aware of what your energy efficiency programme. They might be able to help by making sure taps are turned off and doors are shut.
Another idea is to make one staff member responsible for reviewing time settings regularly to check that they are correct. If someone made a short-term decision about temperature settings based on particular weather conditions, make sure that this is reviewed or you’ll be wasting energy – and money. Creating an energy efficient leisure centre should be a team effort. Make Hodgkinson Bennis part of your team.
To find out how Hodgkinson Bennis can help to create a more energy efficient leisure centre to save money on energy costs, contact one of our team today.
Call: 0161 790 4411
About Hodgkinson Bennis energy efficiency and commercial boilers in leisure centres
Hodgkinson Bennis design, install and maintain the most fuel-efficient commercial and industrial boilers. Headquartered in Manchester, we work across the UK, particularly in the North West, North East and throughout the Midlands. Contact us today to discuss how we can deliver advanced commercial and industrial boilers.
At Hodgkinson Bennis, we have worked with commercial and industrial boilers since 1872. This history gives us an enviable amount of experience as pioneers in the industry. We place an enormous emphasis on ensuring the health and safety of all team members, suppliers contractors, and the public. We provide the most fuel-efficient boiler solutions for industrial and commercial applications. The efficiency of our steam and hot water systems can significantly improve energy efficiency in leisure centres