ENERGY SMART TIPS FOR ICE ARENAS

FROM THE ILLINOIS SMART ENERGY DESIGN ASSISTANCE CENTER

Many communities across the state

of Illinois have ice arenas. By their
nature, these buildings are large
energy users requiring satisfaction
of simultaneous heating and
refrigeration loads in proximate
space. One of the first tasks that
SEDAC performs when analyzing
a building is to benchmark (or
compare) the buildings energy usage
intensity (EIU) to other buildings of
similar use to assess how well the
particular facility is performing.
As stated in a recent article titled
Improving Efficiency in Ice Hockey
Arenas written by ASHRAE (American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating
and Air-Conditioning Engineers),
a general survey of ice arenas in
Quebec found that for an average
sized hockey arena facility of 34,000
square feet, energy consumption of
the most energy efficient arenas is

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ILLINOIS ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
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approximately 800,000 kilowatt hour

per year (23.5 kWh/sf/yr) and the least
efficient ones consume nearly three
times that much energy at 2,400,000
kWh per year (70.5 kWh/sf/yr).
This wide range in energy
consumption points toward the
probability that there are several
opportunities for energy and cost
savings in many ice arenas. Some
Energy Cost Reduction Measures
(ECRMs) also reduce wear on
equipment, thus extending its useful
life and reducing maintenance
requirements.
Several ECRMs are available to help
reduce operating costs in ice arenas.
Improvements can be classified into
five different categories: resurfacing
and refrigeration; building envelope;
lighting; heating, dehumidification
and ventilation; and low-cost or no-

cost efficiency improvements which,

even with limited budgets can be
implemented to begin saving money
and energy.
In an ice arena, two main factors
influence cost: 1) the refrigeration
system and associated tasks for
operations and maintenance of the
ice sheet, and 2) heating, ventilation,
and dehumidification of the stands,
rink, locker rooms, and common areas
(such as lobbies). Several cost saving
opportunities are available with very
reasonable payback periods. These
items are within a designer and/or
operators purview to impact and
effect a 40% energy savings: the design
and operation of the refrigeration,
ventilation and heating systems,
and the integration of the heating
and refrigeration systems (with heat
recovery). This brochure highlights
some of these opportunities.

If you need assistance finding qualified contractors or suppliers, the Smart Energy Design Assistance
Center can help. Our database of pre-qualified service providers includes reputable professionals in a
variety of fields, including energy auditors, financing providers, and dealers/installers of geothermal
heat pumps/high efficiency HVAC, efficient lighting, solar, and more. Download a free copy of our
list of suppliers at SEDACs website under the header Service Providers.

TYPICAL ARENA ENERGY USE

ENERGY STAR S 7 STEPS FOR

ENERGY MANAGEMENT
1 Make a Commitment

Recognize that the economic, environmental and political

impacts of energy consumption are sufficient motivation to
change our energy use patterns.

2 Assess Performance

Keep a record of energy use and costs. Benchmark your facility by

comparing its energy performance with similar sites. Establish a
baseline and analyze your energy use patterns.

3 Set Goals

Review your objectives and constraints. Establish priorities and

set measurable goals with target dates.

4 Create an Action Plan

Figure 1. Energy use (calculated by

Energie Innovation)

To determine where to spend money for the

greatest return on investment, it is helpful to
know what systems consume the most energy
and for what reason. Figure 1 illustrates typical
energy use in an ice arena. Not surprisingly, the
refrigeration system consumes the greatest
amount of energy (45% of total energy use).
To better understand refrigeration energy
use, it is important to look at the loads on
the refrigeration system. Table 1 shows a
breakdown of the different loads on the
refrigeration system. The seven main loads on
the system are heat gain from air convection,
heat gain from ceiling radiation, ground heat
gains from below ice slab and heat gains
in coolant piping headers, ice resurfacing,
lighting, coolant pump, and skaters.

Define the technical steps. Apply proven methods to increase

energy efficiency or get specialized guidance. Assign roles and
resources. Consider rolling savings from earlier efforts into future,
more complex initiatives.

5 Implement Action Plan

Install equipment and change operational procedures. Establish

a maintenance schedule. Train equipment operators and building
occupants on the changes. Track and monitor conditions.

6 Evaluate Progress

Compare current performance to established goals. Understand

what worked well in order to identify best practices. Adjust
procedures, goals, and schedule the next evaluation.

7 Recognize Achievements

Provide internal recognition for efforts and achievement

of individuals and teams. Seek external recognition from
government agencies, media, or third party organizations.

Make Commitment

Assess Performance
& Set Goals

Re-Assess

Create
Action Plan

Recognize
Achievements

Table 1. Loads on refrigeration system

Implement
Action Plan

Evaluate
Progress
Figure 2. ENERGY STARs steps for energy management

ENERGY COST REDUCTION MEASURES FOR ICE ARENAS

LOW-COST/NO-COST EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS

Low-cost and no-cost improvements target improved control

and facility operational adjustments:
- increase ice temperatures during unoccupied periods, free
skating, and figure skating.
- reduce ice sheet thickness.
- use reduced or floating head pressure controls on the
refrigeration system (this modification will reduce
effectiveness of heat recovery. Cost savings analysis can
balance the trade-off between an improved refrigeration
cycle or a more efficient heating cycle).
- program night setbacks on space heating and ventilation.
- reduce coolant flowrate according to schedule and
occupancy.

LIGHTING

High efficiency lighting improvements reduce electricity use

for lights and reduce the amount of heat input from lights.
These following measures will help lower both electricity and
refrigeration costs:
- reduce light intensity over the stands.
- install high output T5 or T8 fluorescent lights.
- consider occupancy sensors for areas with intermittent use
- upgrade to a highly reflective ceiling to reduce lighting
requirements (can also be accomplished with low-e paint).
- consider modulating lighting levels according to the
activities taking place (Table 2 shows recommended
illumination levels for Minnesotas public ice arenas).
ACTIVITY
Pro Hockey
Amateur Hockey
Recreational Hockey
Figure Skating
Curling
Recreational Skating

BUILDING ENVELOPE

Reducing radiative heat gains to the ice by making adjustments

to the building envelope greatly reduces the load on the
refrigeration system. A very common and effective solution
is to install a low-emissivity radiant ceiling barrier. This highly
reflective barrier is usually a polished aluminum surface
laminated to a vinyl, polypropylene, or fiberglass backing. It
is suspended from the ceiling as illustrated in Figure 2. The
barrier shields the ice surface from being exposed to the warm
ceiling surface, thus reducing radiative heat gains.
Additional building envelope recommendations include those
suggested for most buildings:
- properly insulate walls and roof.
- install insulated doors to reduce conduction losses.
- replace worn weather-stripping & caulking for airtightness.

FOOT-CANDLES
100
50
20
15
10-20
10

Table 2. Recommended ice rink illumination levels for

Minnesotas public ice arenas.

Figure 2. Low emissivity ceiling (from the Energy

Efficiency Guide for Municipal Recreation Facilities)

HEATING, VENTILATION, AND HUMIDITY CONTROL

HEAT RECOVERY FOR HEATING
AND HUMIDITY CONTROL
Ice arenas have substantial refrigeration and heating loads,
making them prime candidates for waste heat recovery from
the refrigeration process. Waste heat can be used to heat
sub-slab brine, control the temperature and humidity of the
interior climate, heat resurfacing hot water, or melt ice scraped
off by the resurfacer. Heat recovery on exhaust air to preheat
incoming outdoor air should also be considered.
REDUCE CONVECTION GAINS
Convective gains occur when forced air heating systems for
the rink and stands disturb the air stratification above the ice
sheet, creating air currents that increase refrigeration loads.
These convective gains can be reduced by minimizing heating
and ventilation and by only heating spectator areas when
occupied. Outdoor air can be controlled using CO2 sensors
for locker rooms and common areas and CO sensors for rink

ECRMs

areas to remove pollution from the fossil-fueled resurfacing

machine exhaust. Ventilation flow rates can be lowered
using variable frequency drives (VFDs) on the air handler
motors.
REDUCE SPACE HEATING
Reducing space heating also lowers the load on the
refrigeration system. Typically, this load can account for more
than 30% of the refrigeration systems energy consumption.
Conditioning and refrigeration loads can be reduced by
lowering set point temperatures in the stands, particularly
during unoccupied periods. Ideally, ventilation should be
supplied only to maintain indoor air quality. Heating of
spectator areas should be accomplished using radiant heating
systems (floor or infrared). Savings are also possible by
installing programmable controls that save 5-15% of annual
refrigeration costs.

RESURFACING AND REFRIGERATION ECRMs

OPTIMIZED REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
Possible options include compressor
sequencing, floating head pressure,
variable flow or dual-drive brine
pumps, variable frequency drives on
evaporators, high efficiency motors and
soft-start controllers. The best way to
evaluate the advantages of improvements is
to simulate the operating equipment.
ICE SHEET ASPECTS
The thickness and temperature of the ice
sheet and how it is maintained all impact
energy use.
Different activities need
different surface temperatures. Hockey
requires hard ice and figure skaters prefer
soft ice, so brine temperatures must be
adjusted accordingly.
Keeping the temperature of the ice as high
as possible reduces refrigeration loads, and
increasing the ice temperature a single
degree can save 6% annually in refrigeration
costs. Consider raising the ice temperature
when the rink is unoccupied.
The ice surface temperature can be
determined with an infrared sensor. The
sensor is typically mounted or hung above
the ice from a beam or score clock and
oriented down at the ice. This type of sensor
provides better control of the ice surface
temperature than embedded sensors.
The thickness of the ice also affects the
temperature at which the brine must be
circulated to chill the ice. The thicker the
ice, the cooler the brine must be, and cooler
brine creates greater refrigeration loads.
Equipment is available to automatically
reset brine temperatures based on a
schedule of events throughout the day.
Note that to drop brine temperature 2F
takes only one to two hours if the ice

Who We Are

is kept thin (about 1). It is possible to save up

to 8% of compressor energy consumption
when variable brine temperatures are
implemented.
If variable temperature
brine controls are installed, we recommend
placing a separate slab sensor to monitor
ice temperatures and ensure that the ice
performs as required, independent of other
loads.
MAINTENANCE AND RESURFACING
City water is heated and transferred to the
ice resurfacing machine to provide a better
bond to the ice sheet and to melt and fill in
cracks caused by skate blades. By switching
to demineralized water the need for
heating is eliminated because pure water
bonds very easily to the existing ice sheet .
Two additional benefits of using unheated
demineralized water are that the cooler
resurfacing water reduces the load on the
refrigeration equipment, and pure water
provides a harder ice surface that is more
resistant to cuts. Water can be demineralized
using either an ion-exchange method or
a reverse osmosis filter; however, reverse
osmosis will increase water usage.
Electric versus internal combustion powered
ice resurfacing machines also impact energy
use. We recommend switching to an
electric resurfacer to reduce outside air
requirements necessary for human comfort
and improvement of interior air quality.

ENERGY SMART RESOURCES FOR ICE ARENAS

Improving Efficiency in Ice Hockey Arenas

http://bookstore.ashrae.biz/journal/download.
php?file=nichols060109.pdf

Energy Efficiency Guide for Municipal

Recreation Facilities

Rink Magazine

http://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_business/
recreation_facilities/recreation_manitoba_
rinks.pdf

LEDs Magazine: Case Study

Cost-Effective Energy Efficient

Improvements for Minnesotas Public Ice
Arenas: Overview of 20 Options

Temperature Optimization in Stands

Energy Efficiency Project Analysis for

Supermarkets and Arenas

http://www.pbmrefrigeration.com/images/
RINK%20Magazine%20article%20july-06.pdf
http://www.ledsmagazine.com/
casestudies/19287
http://canmetenergy-canmetenergie.nrcanrncan.gc.ca/fichier.php/codectec/En/2003066-5/2003-066-5e.pdf

SEDAC
The Smart Energy Design
Assistance Center (SEDAC)
was established to support
the Illinois Smart Energy
Design Assistance Program
which works to increase
the efficient and effective
use of energy throughout
Illinois. SEDAC is sponsored
by the Illinois Department
of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity and is managed
by the School of Architecture
at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign and the
360 Energy Group.

What We Do
Through the Illinois Smart
Energy Design Assistance
Program, SEDAC provides
advice and analysis enabling
facilities in the state of Illinois
to increase their profitability
through the efficient use of
energy resources. These statefunded technical services
can identify opportunities
for energy savings through
intelligent building design and
efficient building components
and systems.

How to Reach Us
SMART ENERGY DESIGN
ASSISTANCE CENTER
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
1 Saint Marys Road
Champaign, IL 61820
TEL: 1-800-214-7954
EMAIL: info@sedac.org
www.sedac.org

www.mncee.org/pdf/tech_pubs/ice_fact.pdf

www.retscreen.net/download.php/fi/473/1/
course_eesa.ppt

MAY 2011