Did you know that there are over 500 ice hockey rinks and nearly 400 curling rinks in Saskatchewan? That's more per capita than any province in Canada!
To help Saskatchewan rink operators manage their energy costs, SaskPower, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA), has developed an Energy Management Manual for Arena and Rink Operators to assist rink managers and operators in reducing demand and reducing cost.
There are many no-cost or low-cost ways to reduce your rink's power bill.
No-cost tips
- Post reminders by each light switch to encourage users to turn off lights and ensure outdoor lights are turned off during daylight hours
- If there is no scheduled activity for half an hour or more, turn off the lights over the ice rink area
- Turn off the breaker that controls the parking lot plug-ins when the temperature is warmer than -15 degrees
- Post the rink's monthly utility bill totals on a bulletin board for all to see! Understanding what it costs to operate the rink can encourage everyone to take steps to conserve resources
- Consider a bonus structure for your rink staff based on finding and implementing ways to reduce utility bills
- Get creative! Hold a rink energy efficiency poster competition with local school children and then display the posters at the rink
- If your community allows, dump ice shavings outdoors
- Level sand base before making ice to provide a consistent ice thickness
- Ensure clean concrete surface before making ice
- Mark a one-inch ice thickness line on the rink boards to help maintain ideal ice thickness
- Reduce the ice flood water temperature from 160 degrees to 130 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees to 54 degrees Celsius)
Print out these zero-cost ways to reduce your rink's utility bill and post them in your rink. Energy conservation is everyone's responsibility.
Low-cost tips
- Install a programmable thermostat to automatically reduce the air temperature by 5°C in heated areas during unoccupied times
- Replace incandescent bulbs with equivalent compact fluorescent bulbs
- Change any linear fluorescent light fixtures that use T12 lamps and magnetic ballasts to T8 lamps, electronic ballasts and silver or polished aluminum reflectors
- Replace incandescent exit signs with LED equivalents
- Replace the temperature sensor that measures the brine temperature on the brine loop return line with an ice temperature sensor
- Install low flow shower heads in locker and change rooms
- Install shower control push buttons to save water
- Install occupancy sensors to control lights in low traffic areas, washrooms and change rooms
- Caulk and weather-strip your facility's walls, floors, windows, roof and doors to seal air leaks
- Insulate hot water tanks and pipes in unconditioned areas
- Change air filters on ventilation and heating equipment regularly
Print out these low-cost ways to reduce your rink's utility bill and post them in your rink. Energy conservation is everyone's responsibility.
