Sunbather pool cover installations.
Pool covers: a simple solution for reducing energy costs James Croll investigates how commercial pool cover suppliers are now employing highly tailored scientific solutions to optimise efficiencies and massively reduce heating costs
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or years, the commercial aquatic sector saw pool covers simply as a means of keeping a pool warm and the water’s chemistry in check. However, recent years have seen aquatic venues appreciating that fitting the right pool cover can result in benefits that are far more reaching and which can dramatically reduce costs. The shift is the result of a number of Australia’s pool cover suppliers continuously raising the bar and introducing some fascinating and ground-breaking solutions. One such supplier, Sunbather endorses the importance of extensive research prior to tailoring a pool cover solution to a venues specific needs. Sunbather Managing Director, Tom Boadle explains “in the first instance we offer a free energy audit and return on investment calculation using a unique pool heating simulation developed by the University of NSW specifically for swimming pools.
“We can calculate a pool centres current running costs, then apply the savings solar pool heating and/or pool covers will generate showing the savings in dollars, evaporation (litres), and greenhouse gas tonnes.” The resultant cost savings are impressive. It is very common that by simply installing pool covers Sunbather can reduce a $200,000 a year pool heating bill down to $70,000. Very few products available generate such a rapid return on investment as typically the cover systems are paid for within 18 months. A specialist in the commercial pool cover sector, Sunbather’s extensive research and analysis is particularly relevant in a number of high-profile projects they have completed in recent years since they have provided covers for some of the most complex and challenging projects. This was typified by their recent residential project - the Sky Pool at Hawthorne Park with Aloha Pools, an Australian pool design and construction Sunbather pool cover installation at Ballarat Aquatic Centre.
30 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 147
