Town of Slave Lake Multi-Recreation Centre – HVAC VFDs

OVERVIEW

As part of the Action Centre’s Recreation Energy Conservation Program, the Town of Slave Lake added variable frequency drives (VFDs) on their HVAC pumps. The retrofit involved installing VFDs on two existing five-horsepower (HP) glycol pumps. The Multi Recreation building houses two ice rinks, a fieldhouse, dressing room facilities, concession, retail space, and offices. The project was commissioned in November 2021.

APPROACH

Instead of running the pump motors at a constant speed, VFDs allow motor speed to be adjusted according to the output requirements. As a result, VFDs help reduce electricity consumption and maintenance costs and will even extend motor lifespan.    

Additional benefits of VFDs include:

• Reduced current draw during motor start-up, which can reduce demand charges.
  • Reduced wear and tear on motors and couplings due to inherent soft-starting.
  • Soft-starting also reduces water hammer, pipe stress, valve, and pump seal wear.
  • Adjustable speed can also help prevent cavitation.

RESULTS

The installation of VFDs resulted in a reduction of 4 tCO₂/year and an energy cost savings of $1,013.18/year. The project resulted in a 41% GHG reduction from the existing system and an 0.25% reduction facility-wide compared to the baseline.

“The Town of Slave Lake is pleased to be able to participate in the REC program, to help do our part to reduce greenhouse gas emission, reduce our energy consumption (and reduce our costs).  Without the REC program through the MCCAC, the Town of Slave Lake would not have been able to undertake this project.”

Garry Roth, Acting Chief Administrative Officer