August 2005, Gardnerville, Nevada

In the Summer of 2005, SES was hired by the Carson Valley Swim Center (CVSC) in Gardnerville, Nevada to redesign their existing dehumidification system. The CVSC operates four indoor pools, including a slide pool with two large slides, year round and two outdoor pools during the summer months and serves over 500,000 visitors a year. Due to the large number of indoor pools and their warm temperatures, a high level of evaporation from the pools was creating a very uncomfortable and corrosive environment. The swim center utilized 3 mechanical dehumidification units which utilize a refrigeration cycle to condense water out of the air. These units, when functioning would consume a large amount of energy in the refrigeration compressors. Unfortunately the refrigeration system on these units was prone to mechanical failure. The effect was expensive operating and maintenance costs to achieve a comfortable environment. SES was called in to provide a design which would achieve the desired indoor environment, cause minimal disruption to the facility, and be energy efficient. Project Engineer Mike Matheus recognized the solution immediately. "Northern Nevada air!" Mike wanted to bring in a certain percentage of outside air and use this to absorb the moisture generated by the evaporation from the pools. By installing 2 exhaust fans with energy recovery coils, Mike was able to exhaust the moist, chlorine enriched air to the outside, transfer the energy of that warm moist air to the dry outside air to achieve an energy efficient dehumidification system. The original dehumidification systems were left in place and Mike estimates the compressors run time will be minimal. "We get an occasional thunder storm in the middle of a hot summer day, this will drive up the outside air humidity and prevent the desired moisture absorption. This and the occasional scorcher will cause the refrigeration system to operate."

SES has found a sustainable, cost effective solution for this client, we can do the same for you.

Click here for the CVSC website.