Balancing hot water demands and net zero requirements in the leisure industry

Designing systems for intense use at sports pavilions

Sports pitches and pavilions pose a unique challenge when it comes to domestic hot water (DHW). Water demand can be minimal for most of the week before rising sharply due to matches and teams all requiring showers in a relatively short space of time. 

Multiple matches may be taking place at the same time or back-to-back, leaving a small recovery window for the water to reach the right temperature before it’s needed again. 

Simply adding water storage may not be the answer, especially if the facility is only going to be used at the weekend. Similarly, an instantaneous electric system can place heavy strain on the supply and potentially cause reliability issues. 

A balanced solution that combines efficient heating with compact storage could be the most viable solution. Utilising technology such as smart controls and scheduling, along with strategic use of immersion heaters within the hot water cylinders, also supports heat recovery without excess energy being used. 

This setup is one that we at Baxi implemented at Eaton Park Pavilion, Norwich, where we provided extensive technical design support as well as supplying the solution. The pavilion now has two roof-mounted low-profile air source heat pumps (ASHPs), two buffer vessels and two Baxi 300L ASHP cylinders. A series of 66 solar panels charge two 8kW batteries, with the excess energy powering the immersion heaters in the hot water cylinders, which allows for rapid recovery during high DHW demand.

Learn more about this project here.

Hot water supply and demand for seasonal use at camping sites

Seasonal sites, such as caravan and camping locations, typically have their main season from March to October. While there may be high usage, the demand is usually spread throughout the course of several hours or following a morning and evening peak pattern.

For these sites, an ASHP combined with sufficient hot water storage from a large cylinder provides an effective solution. The former can pre-heat the water in the cylinder ready for the next ‘peak’ period, with immersion backup when demand is especially high also in place. In this instance, designing the system so that the ASHP’s priority is to preheat the water is key. 

See how this process worked at a new, state-of-the-art shower facility at Pembrey Country Park, where Baxi’s Auriga HP40 ASHP combined with a Megaflo 1000l Flexistor unvented cylinder, here.

The important role of system design

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for efficient hot water systems within the leisure sector. However, gaining a deep understanding of key aspects will be key for meeting important requirements. 

These can include but are by no means limited to:
 

• Occupancy profiles
• Load profile
• Electrical capacity
• Storage strategy and capabilities
• Lifecycle maintenance requirements

In addition, considerations around the role of renewable technology measures such as solar PVs should also be made. There may be a need for a phased approach towards an electric solution, in which case, a hybrid combination that pairs ASHPs with traditional heaters may be a good initial step.

Manufacturer support from start to finish

At Baxi, we have the expertise to support specifiers and consultants in delivering the right solution for their site. With our technical design expertise and wide product range, you can be sure that we will be with you at each stage of the process.