HVAC system energy optimization in indoor swimming pools

Buildings with indoor swimming pools are recognised as very high-energy consumers and present a grate potential for saving energy. The management of indoor ambient conditions must act upon the most sensible parameters that affect the energy consumption; the energy is spending in several ways: Evaporation heat loss from the pool; ambient temperatures very high; and High rates of ventilation required. Control Strategies adapted to the reality of each building is an important way to reduce energy consumption. These paper presents control strategies that can implemented in the building automation system and the HVAC system of an existing indoor swimming pool complex, in order to minimise energy consumption. Taking into account the complexity of the parameters involved in a feasibility study of measures to reduce the energy consumption of the building, the choice of energy simulation programs is actually the better way, either from both economical and time perspectives, to quantify the benefits that can achieved by different control strategy. In the present case study, an appropriate control strategy, in conjunction with pool cover at night and electrical consumption reducing during peak hours, considered as rational use of energy measure, can lead to the reduction of 85 toe/year, which represents 25.125€ in 2006 energy price savings.