75693

Orange City Council has a long-term sustainability plan to make the Orange Aquatic Centre more energy efficient. The first step, which is currently underway, is the replacement of an old-style boiler that heated water for the outdoor 50-metre pool.

In Orange’s cool climate, the heater is used in cooler months to keep the water temperature in the outdoor pool above 27 degrees.

The large gas-powered boiler has been removed with six smaller Meridian Link Water Heaters - a product supplied by Automatic Heating - delivered this week and to be installed in the coming weeks.

The new heating system is designed to be more energy-efficient.

Engineers believe it was inefficient to run the large boiler at full capacity during some months when it wasn’t needed. lnstead, the new system is designed so that only the required number of the new units will be turned on when needed.

The new heaters are part of a Council-wide sustainability strategy to move away from gas with the new heaters designed for their gas-powered components to be eventually replaced with electric-powered heat pumps - when budgets allow.

The former system also heated the chlorinated pool water directly causing corrosion problems with equipment. The new system is designed to work by heat exchange, heating an enclosed amount of water which in turn heats the chlorinated pool water.

The heater upgrade is being funded by Orange City Council at a cost of $395,000.

The new heating system will have its first major test when the 50 metre pool at the Orange Aquatic Centre hosts the Australian Winter Swimming Nationals for the first time in September.

For more information on Automatic Heating and Meridian Link Condensing Water Heaters click here.

Image. Credit: Orange City Council

Related Articles

19th April 2024 - Aqua Energy spotlights its venues’ swimming options during winter

12th March 2024 - Coffs Harbour War Memorial Olympic Pool to have heat pump installed

22nd March 2024 - Orange Aquatic Centre lifeguards threatened with abusive behaviour during free entry period

16th February 2024 - Tenders sought for construction of natural sports fields at Orange Sports Complex

20th January 2024 - Swearing and threats pose ‘serious risk’ to staff at Orange Aquatic Centre resulting in cut in pool entry numbers

8th December 2023 - Proposed learn-to-swim pool for Orange Aquatic Centre

14th March 2023 - Supreme Heating launches new R290 pool heat pump

5th September 2023 - CERM PI adds new green energy usage metrics to 2023 Operational Benchmarking Survey of aquatic, recreation and sport centres

3rd October 2023 - Move to transition Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre to renewable energy

22nd May 2023 - Sapphire Aquatic Centre heat pump upgrade reduces carbon footprint and energy cost

27th September 2022 - Renewable Energy Agency highlights significance of heat pumps at Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre

17th June 2022 - Energy uncertainty to impact aquatic centre operations?

18th January 2021 - Orange Aquatic Centre to host NSW Country Regional Swimming Championships

20th October 2020 - Outdoor pool at Orange Aquatic Centre reopens for summer with COVID-19 conditions

7th August 2020 - Renovated Orange Aquatic Centre indoor pool set to reopen

25th October 2018 - Chlorine leak closes Orange Aquatic Centre

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.