$33,636.00Project Cost
$5,674.90Cost Savings
$25,227MCCAC Funding
26,417kWh/yearElectrical Energy Savings
240GJ/yearNatural Gas Energy Savings
27tonnes CO2e/yearGHG Reductions
OVERVIEW
As part of the MCCAC’s Recreation Energy Conservation (REC) program, the Town of Falher installed a REALice system at the Falher Regional Recreation Centre.
REALice is an energy-saving de-aerating system for ice rinks. It creates a controlled and structured vortex to remove gases and other particulates such as limescale as water flows through the device. REALice treated water eliminates the need to use heated water when building or resurfacing your ice and reduces compressor loads. The system has no moving parts and is easily integrated into existing piping systems.
APPROACH
This newly installed system will help to reduce the costs of heating the water used to resurface the ice as well as the electricity costs associated with cooling the ice following resurfacing. This system eliminates the need for hot water when building and resurfacing ice by removing micro air bubbles from the incoming water resulting in lower natural gas consumption from hot water heaters and less load on compressors.
RESULTS
This project will save an estimated reduction of 27 tonnes/year of greenhouse gases and has a payback time of 1.5 years. The natural gas consumption, attributed to resurfacing the ice, would be reduced from approximately 251 GJ/year to 33 GJ/year. The project was completed in November, 2020.
Approximately 87% savings in annual natural gas consumption
Here’s what Emily Plihal, Climate Change Coordinator of the Town of Falher, said about participating in the Recreation Energy Conservation Program:
“The Town councilors and staff have been looking at ways to reduce operational costs that will also help their facility become more environmentally friendly. MCCAC staff members were very helpful in the application process. The grants provided by MCCAC allow municipalities to invest in opportunities that they may not otherwise be able to afford. The grants provide the opportunity for municipalities in our province to make changes that help to reduce environmental impact thus mitigating climate change.”
Emily Plihal, Climate Change Coordinator, Town of Falher
