Energy use in ice arenas can be enormous. In fact, indoor ice rinks are some of the more energy intensive commercial buildings within a community.
Uses
Uses include: refrigeration (both NH3 and HFC), pumps, fans, heating and lighting
Ice arenas are used for: hockey, curling, figure skating, speed skating, and basic ice skating
Operates most of the year – long occupancy times to earn revenue – ice quality is critical
Water contaminants (such as minerals, chemicals, and dissolved air) affect the freezing temperature and quality – hardness, “snow” creation, clarity
From the ASRAE 2010 Handbook: “The resurfacing water temperature affects the load and brine required to freeze the flood water. Maintaining good water quality through proper treatment may permit the use of lower flood water temperature and less volume” <–- using cold water saves energy
Refrigeration cools a brine solution pumped through pipes under the ice grid
Brine temperatures that were usually set around 16°F – 17°F – can be set higher
Before REALice, hot water in the neighborhood of 160°F has been used to resurface the ice, heating hundreds of gallons of water, many times per day
Example Water and Typical Refrigeration
Typical single pad rinks can use from 1,500 – 2,400 MWH per year
NHL sized rink or Olympic size
Usage is typically 36+ weeks/year and used on average 16hrs/day on weekends,
12 hours/ day week days
Ice resurfacing can vary from 6 to 12+ times per day depending on usage
Resurfacing typically uses water heated from 120°F -160°F