ECO NEWS

Leisure Operator Cuts Electrical Energy Costs By 30% With ABB A leisure centre operator has cut energy use at its pools by 30% following the installation of variable speed drives (VSDs). ABB drives rated between 4 kW and 30 kW have been installed on air handling units (AHUs) and pool circulation pumps in 60 of the leisure centres operated by Places for People Leisure. This has significantly reduced power consumption by matching the speed of the motors driving the applications to the required demand. AHU fan motors in older systems are frequently oversized and will operate at full speed 100% of the time, regardless of demand. By installing VSDs, the fan speed can be reduced to

match actual demand. Pool pump motors are also frequently oversized because it is difficult to predict exactly what the demand will be once the system is in operation. Oversized pumps draw power unnecessarily to feed a demand that does not exist, which often results in flow having to be reduced by being manually throttled. VSDs will reduce the speed of the pool circulation pump motors, particularly during periods of low bathing loads, while ensuring water quality is maintained in line with the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG)’s requirements. Places for People Leisure operates the swimming pools

and leisure facilities for 36 local authorities across the UK. “Places for People Leisure is committed to achieving energy and environmental efficiencies. We continue to strive to reduce our carbon footprint and recognise the benefit of variable speed drives,” stated Chris Williams, Environment & Sustainability Manager at Places for People Leisure. The ABB drives were retrofitted by Powermaster Leisure Limited, a company which specialises in energysaving technologies. John Moffatt, Managing Director of Powermaster, said: “Powermaster has a long and successful relationship with

Places for People Leisure. Its desire to reduce energy consumption has seen our two companies work very closely on many projects. Furthermore, Powermaster has been given excellent support by ABB.” ABB’s VSDs are well designed and robust enough to withstand the demanding conditions of swimming pool plant rooms, said Moffatt. “The vast majority of Powermaster’s VSD installations are in swimming pool plant rooms, where the atmosphere can be corrosive because of the chemicals used. It is therefore essential to have a product that can cope, long term, with these conditions. The ABB drives have double-coated circuit boards to protect against such environments.” ABB Limited 01925 741111 www.abb.com Powermaster Leisure Ltd 0800 500 3128 www.power-master.co.uk

Heatstar Service Engineers Achieve Best Ever Result Analysis of Heatstar’s service engineer’s visits for 2016 shows that 96.7% of mechanical breakdowns were fixed on the first visit. This outstanding result vindicates Heatstar’s investment in maintaining nationwide aftersales service coverage with a team of dedicated and experienced engineers based around the UK. These engineers are employed by Heatstar, trained by Heatstar and equipped by Heatstar. This first class team are completely knowledgeable about the entire Heatstar product range. In addition to their personal skills and experience they operate from fully equipped Heatstar vans carrying an array of specialist tools and equipment and a comprehensive range of spare parts to cover most eventualities. Heatstar are passionate about keeping downtime of client’s units to an absolute

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minimum. Call logging and GPS vehicle tracking ensure minimum delays for call-outs and faster response times. Heatstar engineers are always very aware that on site they are also representing the trade installer who built the pool and fitted the units. In addition to repair response call-outs, Heatstar engineers are also involved in preventative maintenance visits and there are planned maintenance agreements available on all Heatstar products. Heatstar also have a Technical Helpline available which can often resolve issues over the telephone.

Heatstar 01983 521465 www.heatstar.com

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