• Subscribe
  • E-Newsletter
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Login
Campus Rec Magazine
  • Sections
    • Columns
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • CR Base Camp
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Buyer’s Guide
No Result
View All Result
  • Sections
    • Columns
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • CR Base Camp
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Buyer’s Guide
No Result
View All Result
Campus Rec Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home In Print

Diving Deep into ‘Going Green’

Pentair by Pentair
July 9, 2018
in In Print
0
operating costs
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn

Swimming pool pump rooms are among the areas most scrutinized when university facilities undergo ‘energy audits’ due to the amount of energy consumed by pumps, filters and even pool lighting. When looking for ways to reduce operating costs, specifically those associated with running the campus aquatics facility, don’t forget to consider possible changes within the pool’s pump room. By adding the most up-to-date, energy-efficient technology to handle the pool’s needs, a campus recreation center can drastically reduce operating costs by saving energy.

The University of North Carolina in Greensboro (UNCG) recently built a new wellness center with two swimming pools and intentionally equipped its pump room with ‘green’ energy saving products.  The equipment includes variable frequency drives on the pool pumps, efficient sand filters plus new LED lighting — all chosen to reduce their daily operating costs.

Variable Frequency Drives: 

One of the fastest, easiest ways to lower monthly electrical bills is to add a variable frequency drive (VFD) to pool pumps. A VFD is designed to save energy and operating costs by increasing pump performance, saving up to 60 percent or more on the pump’s electricity usage. The VFD allows the system to ramp up to full speed during the day as the pool reaches peak bather loads. At night, the drive can slow the pump down to continue filtration but not at full speed while closed. The VFD units have a minimal payback time as they automatically optimize energy. Many utility providers around the country even offer rebates to those that install a variable frequency drive — making the investment in the drive minimal.   

Filters: 

In addition to the variable frequency drive units, the UNCG facility installed two sand filters systems with manway viewports and an integrated automatic backwash control system that makes them highly energy efficient. The manway viewport provides a quick, visual observation of the sand bed during filtration and backwash that allows for better monitoring and maintenance. In fact, the difference between a clean and dirty filter can nearly double the pump’s energy consumption, so checking the sand filters frequently is crucial. These filters with manway viewports and backwash controllers help drastically reduce aquatic facility energy usage.

LED Lighting: 

Don’t forget about the pool lights — both in and around the pool. Old incandescent lights are inefficient and don’t provide the best illumination. Changing aquatic facility lights to LED technology immediately lowers electrical bills and maintenance staff will rarely need to change those bulbs. New LED pool lights use 89 percent less electricity than incandescent and halogen pool lights. LED circuits are extremely energy efficient and because each light lasts much longer, the bulbs are changed less frequently, providing aquatic facilities additional savings over time. UNCG immediately noticed an improvement in the underwater visibility, not to mention lower monthly electrical bills.

Today’s ‘green’ technology reduces operating costs so your aquatics facility can lower its operating costs.

 

Mike Fowler is the commercial marketing and sales manager for Pentair Commercial Aquatics. He can be reached via email at mike.fowler@pentair.com.

Stay up to date on industry trends, best practices, news and more.

Tags: aquaticsaquatics facilitycampus reccampus rec facilitycampus recreationLED LightsPentair Commercial Aquatics
Previous Post

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Next Post

10 Questions to Ask in Implementing an Innovative Class

Pentair

Pentair

Related Posts

University of Wyoming
Cover Story

Something for Everyone at the University of Wyoming

July 8, 2025
TinyMobileRobots
Brand Voice

TinyMobileRobots: An Efficient and Effective Solution

July 8, 2025
Employee Onboarding
Ask the Expert

Q&A on Employee Onboarding

July 8, 2025
Revenue Streams
In Print

Innovative Revenue Streams for Campus Rec

July 8, 2025
Mental Health
In Print

Tackling the Mental Health Crisis

July 8, 2025
Aquatics Amenities
Aquatics

Designing Aquatics Amenities to Connect with More Students

July 8, 2025
Next Post
programming

10 Questions to Ask in Implementing an Innovative Class

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get Updates in your inbox

Stay up to date on industry trends, best practices, news and more.

Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
Campus Rec Logo

The premier business resource for college and university recreation centers.

The Current Issue

July/August 2025

July/August 2025

Browse

  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • E-Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Media Kit
  • Contact

© 2025 Campus Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Sections
    • Columns
    • Facility Development
    • News
    • Operations
    • Programming
    • Rec of the Month
    • Staff Development
    • Well-being
    • Profiles
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
  • Podcast
  • Webinars
  • Education
    • CR Leadership Summit
    • CR Base Camp
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Buyer’s Guide

© 2025 Campus Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.