How leisure facilities can save energy without affecting the customer experience

Long hours, temperature-sensitive spaces and constant pressure on service can leave energy low on the to do list.

Still, when comfort slips, guests feel it, and costs rise. The aim isn’t to strip back warmth or fresh air; it’s to keep conditions stable while cutting waste that no one benefits from.

Common energy drains

• Over-ventilating pool halls and studios when activity is low
• Heat loss from uncovered pools and draughty external doors
• Pumps and fans running at full speed through quiet periods
• Ageing lighting in halls and corridors
• Out-of-date BMS schedules heating, cooling or lighting empty areas
• Refrigeration with poor door seals or clogged condensers
• Maintenance gaps: blocked filters, scaled plates, drifting sensors

Practical tips that protect comfort

• Tune temperatures carefully. Small setpoint adjustments and good control deadbands reduce load while keeping showers, studios and poolside comfortable.
• Match ventilation to activity. Use CO₂ or humidity control where you can so fans ramp up when needed and ease back when they don’t. Clean filters improve air quality and cut fan effort.
• Cover the pool and close the gaps. Consistent cover use reduces evaporation. Check door closers and seals so warm, treated air stays where it should.
• Fit variable speed drives. Slowing pumps and fans during off-peak periods maintains water quality and makes spaces quieter.
• Go LED with smart controls. Presence sensors in back-of-house areas and daylight dimming in glazed zones trim waste while keeping light levels even.
• Audit schedules each season. Walk the site early and late. Note plant that runs with no benefit, then correct timers, BMS and thermostats the same week.
• Keep plant healthy. Clear strainers, descale heat exchangers and recalibrate sensors. Steady plant gives steady comfort.
• Use sub-metering or simple logs. Break consumption down by area e.g. pool, gym and café, so you can spot drifts quickly.
• Bring people with you. Short shift briefs and clear signs (“Please keep doors closed to keep the pool warm”) help changes stick.

How to plan this when energy isn’t your only job

A workable plan fits around daily operations and holds up under staff changes and busy weeks. Try this rhythm:

1. Set the non-negotiables.
   Agree comfort bands with your team for key spaces (pool hall, wet and dry changing, gym floor). Write them down. When everyone knows the target, decisions get easier.
2. Triage by zone.
   Map actions by impact on cost and guest comfort:
   • Quick wins: scheduling tweaks, door seals, filter changes
   • Routine fixes: seasonal BMS reviews, lighting controls, pool cover use
   • Pilots: a variable speed drive on one pump, sensors in one studio
   • Projects: LED upgrades, heat recovery, bigger plant changes
3. Pilot before you roll out.
   Test in one area for two weeks. Track room conditions, usage and any comments from staff or members. Keep what works, adjust what doesn’t.
4. Build standard routines.
   Add checks to opening, mid-shift and close:
   • Covers on after last session
   • Doors and dampers shut as scheduled
   • Logs captured for temperature, humidity and energy by area
5. Assign clear ownership.
   One named person per action, plus a deputy. Put names on the plan so responsibilities don’t get lost on busy days.
6. Review briefly, weekly.
   A short stand-up with last week’s kWh by area, any comfort issues, and three priorities for the next seven days. Keep it tight and repeatable.
7. Plan budgets quarter by quarter.
   Group capex items to fit maintenance windows. Line up quotes early and note expected savings, comfort benefits and disruption so approvals are smoother.
8. Keep members informed.
   A notice near the pool about steady temperatures or quieter plant builds trust. Feedback often highlights simple fixes you can act on fast.

This approach doesn’t add noise to your week; it turns scattered jobs into a steady routine, so savings build without denting the experience people come for.

Want a clear plan for your site?

If you’d like help choosing the right tactics for your gym, pool or sports centre, we can help. Speaking to our team we’ll help you shape a plan that fits your calendar and keeps guests happy while waste comes down.