Energy and Water Consumption Characterization of Portuguese Indoor Swimming Pools

Abstract

Indoor swimming pools have high water and energy (electricity and natural gas) consumption levels due to the need to provide suitable thermal comfort conditions (temperature and relative humidity) to its occupants and to counterbalance losses (evaporation, ventilation, etc.). In Portugal, most of the swimming pool facilities belong to the municipalities and their operation represent a considerable financial burden. This work intent to characterize and benchmark the energy (electrical and thermal) and water consumption of five sport complexes with indoor swimming pools, located in two cities of the Centre of Portugal. The four most commonly performance indicators used in the literature were calculated and analyzed according to the operating time and services. Some measures are suggested to enhance the energy efficiency as well as to reduce the consumptions.