Fitness and wellness businesses are all about promoting a healthy lifestyle. However, with the increasing number of appliances and equipment used in such businesses, the energy bills can quickly skyrocket. From fitness equipment to lighting and climate control, there are many appliances that contribute to a high energy bill. In this article, we will explore some of the most energy-consuming appliances in a fitness and wellness business, and how you can reduce your energy usage while still providing excellent service to your consumers.
Gyms
What are the most energy consuming appliances at a Gym?
Fitness equipment:
Fitness equipment is a necessary component of any fitness and wellness business. However, it is also one of the most energy-consuming appliances. Treadmills, exercise bikes, and ellipticals all require a lot of energy to function. The exact amount of energy usage will depend on the intensity of the workout, the time spent on the equipment, and the settings chosen.
A treadmill can consume between 600 and 700 watts per hour, depending on the speed and incline setting. If a treadmill is used for one hour every day, it can consume between 5.5 and 6.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per week.
Other machines such as ellipticals and exercise bikes can consume between 500 and 600 watts per hour, depending on the resistance setting and intensity of the workout. If an elliptical is used for one hour every day, it can consume between 4.5 and 5.5 kWh per week.
To mitigate this, prioritise the use of energy-efficient appliances and strategically placed eco-friendly equipment in the business. Also, explore innovative, eco-friendly product development and appealing equipment and accessories that enhance the workout while being energy efficient.
Lighting:
Lighting is another essential component of any fitness and wellness business. From overhead lighting to mood lighting, the lighting used in these businesses can contribute to a high energy bill. LED lights are an excellent energy-efficient option for lighting. They consume much less energy than traditional lighting, and their lifespan is much longer, reducing the maintenance costs.
As a rough estimate, a gym with standard fluorescent light fixtures may use around 50 watts per square meter of floor space. So, for a typical gym of around 1,000 square meters, the lighting energy consumption could be around 50,000 watts or 50 kilowatts.
However, if the gym uses energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures, the energy consumption could be significantly lower, potentially around 15-20 watts per square meter. In this case, the same 1,000 square meter gym would consume around 15,000-20,000 watts or 15-20 kilowatts.
Climate control:
Temperature regulation is a crucial aspect of any fitness and wellness business. Gyms and studios typically maintain a temperature of around 68-72°F. However, keeping the temperature within this range can contribute significantly to the energy bill.
Smart thermostats are a popular and innovative solution to this issue. These thermostats can learn the preference of the users and adjust the temperature accordingly. Also, smart thermostats can be controlled through an app from anywhere in the world, making it easy to set the temperature according to the business’s hours of operation. In this way, you can save on your energy bills and maintain a healthy temperature for your consumers.
Refrigeration:
Refrigeration is essential in fitness and wellness businesses, especially those that offer drinks and snacks to their consumers. Built-in refrigerators and storage units are energy-efficient options for storing drinks, protein supplements, and snacks. You can also explore on-demand refrigeration systems that will only cool the space when needed, further reducing energy consumption.
Energy consumption can vary from a few hundred watts for a small fridge to several thousand watts for larger commercial refrigeration units.
The average commercial refrigerator uses around 1500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year. This translates to an average power consumption of around 170 watts.
Accessories and devices:
Many accessories and devices used in fitness and wellness businesses can consume a lot of energy. These include speakers, fans, and radiators, among others. Smart plugs and timers can be used to reduce energy usage by turning off the accessories and devices when not in use or setting the timer according to the business hours.
In general, the energy consumption of a smart plug or timer is relatively low, typically ranging from a few watts to around 15 watts. The energy usage of smart plugs and timers is usually small because they do not have significant power requirements.
For example, a typical smart plug may consume around 1-2 watts of electricity when idle, and around 0.5 watts when in use. This means that if you use a smart plug for 8 hours a day, it would consume around 4 watt-hours of energy per day.
Similarly, the energy consumption of a timer would depend on the specific model and type of timer. For instance, a simple mechanical timer that uses a clockwork mechanism may consume no electricity at all, while a digital timer may consume a few watts of power to power its display and electronics.
What are some ways a Gym can save energy?
- Upgrade to energy-efficient equipment: Gym equipment like treadmills, ellipticals, and exercise bikes can consume a lot of energy. Replacing old, inefficient equipment with newer, energy-efficient models can significantly reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
- Use natural lighting: Instead of relying on artificial lighting, a gym can take advantage of natural lighting by using skylights, windows, and other openings to let in natural light. This can not only reduce energy consumption but also create a more pleasant and inviting environment for gym members.
- Install energy-efficient lighting: Switching to energy-efficient LED lighting can reduce energy consumption and save money on electricity bills. LED lights last longer and produce less heat, which can also help to reduce the load on the air conditioning system.
- Use programmable thermostats: A gym can save energy by using programmable thermostats to regulate the temperature. This allows for more precise control of the heating and cooling system, and can reduce energy waste by only heating or cooling the gym when it is occupied.
- Install occupancy sensors: Installing occupancy sensors in bathrooms, locker rooms, and other areas can automatically turn off lights and reduce energy consumption when these areas are not in use.
Spa’s & Wellness Centres
Spas and wellness centers typically use a variety of equipment and facilities that consume energy, including hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, massage tables, and exercise equipment. The energy consumption of these facilities can range from a few hundred watts for smaller massage tables to several thousand watts for larger hot tubs or steam rooms.
What are the most energy consuming appliances at a Spa?
Sauna Heater:
A sauna heater is a device that is used to heat the air inside a sauna. It is typically made of stainless steel or other heat-resistant materials and is designed to withstand high temperatures. Sauna heaters come in various sizes, shapes, and types, depending on the size and type of sauna and the preferences of the user.
They come in different sizes, types, and efficiency levels. For example, a traditional electric sauna heater with a capacity of 7 kW can consume approximately 7 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per hour of use. This means that a 1-hour sauna session would use 7 kWh of energy. In contrast, a newer, more energy-efficient infrared sauna heater may use less energy, around 1-2 kWh per hour.
Hot Tub/Jacuzzi:
Perhaps the most common amenity found at a Spa, the energy usage of a hot tub or Jacuzzi can vary widely depending on its size, type, and usage.
A typical hot tub has a heating element that can consume between 1 kW and 6 kW of energy, depending on its capacity and insulation. Assuming an average usage of 4 hours per day and a heating element of 4 kW, a hot tub can consume approximately 16 kWh of energy per day, or about 480 kWh per month.
Steam Room Generator:
Like sauna heaters, steam room generators come in different sizes and types, which can affect their energy usage. A typical electric steam room generator with a capacity of 9 kW can consume approximately 9 kWh of electricity per hour of use. This means that a 1-hour steam room session would use 9 kWh of energy. Some newer, more efficient models may use less energy, around 5-6 kWh per hour.
HVAC System:
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. An HVAC system is a type of mechanical system that is designed to regulate and maintain indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity. It is commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, including spas, to provide thermal comfort and improve indoor air quality.
In a spa, an HVAC system is essential for several reasons. First, it helps to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the facility, which is important for the well-being and relaxation of the spa guests. Second, it helps to control humidity levels, which can affect the performance of various spa amenities like saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs. Third, it helps to improve indoor air quality by circulating and filtering the air, which is crucial in a spa environment where cleanliness and hygiene are important.
The energy usage of an HVAC system depends on several factors, including the size of the spa, the type of system, and the local climate. A typical spa may use a centralized HVAC system that consists of a furnace or boiler, air conditioning unit, and ductwork. The energy usage of such a system can range from 10 to 50 kWh per day or more, depending on the size of the spa and how often the system runs.
Lighting:
Proper lighting can enhance the ambiance and mood of a spa, creating a relaxing and inviting atmosphere for guests. Soft, dim lighting can help to promote relaxation and calmness, while brighter lighting can create a more energizing and rejuvenating environment.
Second, lighting is important for safety reasons. A spa typically has areas with wet floors and steps, and proper lighting is essential to prevent slip-and-fall accidents. Adequate lighting can also help staff members to perform their duties safely and efficiently.
The energy usage of lighting depends on the type and number of light fixtures, the type of bulbs used, and the duration of use. LED lighting is the most energy-efficient type of lighting, consuming approximately 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Assuming that a spa has about 30 light fixtures, each with a 10-watt LED bulb, and operates for 10 hours per day, the total energy consumption of the lighting system would be approximately 3 kWh per day.
Water Pump:
Water pumps are an essential component of a spa’s plumbing system, and they are responsible for circulating water through the various amenities in the spa, such as pools, hot tubs, fountains, and waterfalls. Water pumps work by creating pressure in the plumbing system, which forces water to flow through pipes and hoses.
A typical pool pump can consume between 1 kW and 3 kW of energy per hour of use, while a fountain pump may consume less, around 100-200 watts. Assuming that a spa operates its water pump for 6 hours per day and has a 2 kW pump, the total energy consumption of the pump would be approximately 12 kWh per day.