Energy use and perceived health in indoor swimming pool facilities

Abstract

Swimming facilities are one of the most complex building categories with their high energy use and demanding indoor environment. A survey to collect information about user health and comfort, technical installations and operational strategies was distributed to pool facilities–from conventional swimming facilities to water parks–across Norway, and this article is based on the responses from 45 facilities. Using a multiple regression analysis, approximately 75% of the delivered energy can be attributed to the bather load and number of opening days. No correlation between delivered energy and user health and thermal comfort was obtained; however, a significant correlation between bathers and workers perceived health and comfort was found. Furthermore, bathers in the water parks reported to be significantly less satisfied with the indoor environment in comparison to bathers in conventional swimming facilities. The water parks also have a lower air change rate compared to the conventional swimming facilities.