That was because the greater efficiency of the heatpump technology meant the amount of electricity needed to heat the pools to the same temperature would be dramatically reduced, he said. However, the council's investment was expected to deliver immediate financial results, with operating costs at the three pools cut by 72% immediately, council energy manager Neville Auton said yesterday. The new system is due to be in place by October this year, and swimmers are not expected to notice any difference in pool temperatures. The heatpump equipment will be paid for in part by a Electricity Commission grant of $170,000. The new system, which will replace heating elements used to heat water at the pools, will cost about $443,000.
#Slash pool install#
Photo by Craig BaxterA new way of heating Dunedin's community pools is expected to slash their electricity use and operating costs by more than 70%, saving the Dunedin City Council hundreds of thousands of dollars.Ĭouncillors voted to install new heatpump equipment at the St Clair Salt Water Pool and the Mosgiel and Port Chalmers community pools at last week's non-public extraordinary council meeting.
Dunedin City Council energy manager Neville Auton at Port Chalmers pool, one of three community pools about to benefit from new cost-saving heatpump equipment.