(VIDEO) Work begins to install a new energy-efficient heating system at the Orange Aquatic Centre.
In short: When the outdoor pool opens in October the water will be warmed by a new heating system
The change is part of Council-wide sustainability strategy to move away from gas.
What's next: When budgets allow, the new units will be switched from gas-powered to electricity driven heat pumps.
A long-term Council sustainability plan to make the Orange Aquatic Centre more energy-efficient is under way. The first step: replacing an old-style boiler that heated water for the outdoor 50-metre pool.
In Orange's cool climate, the heater is used in cooler months to keep the water temperature in the outdoor pool above 27 degrees.
The large gas-powered boiler has been removed. Six smaller heating units were delivered this week and will be installed in the coming weeks.
The new heating system is designed to be more energy-efficient.
Engineers believe it was inefficient to run the large boiler at full capacity during some months when it wasn't needed. lnstead, the new system is designed so that only the required number of the new units will be turned on when needed.
The new heaters are also designed for their gas-powered components to be eventually replaced with electric-powered heat pumps.
KEEPING WARM: Works has begun to install six smaller modular water heaters, replacing an outdated large boiler.
The former system also heated the chlorinated pool water directly causing corrosion problems with equipment. The new system is designed to work by heat exchange, heating an enclosed amount of water which in turn heats the chlorinated pool water.
The heater upgrade is being funded by Orange City Council at a cost of $395K.
The new heating system will have its first major test when the 50 metre pool at the Orange Aquatic Centre hosts the Australian Winter Swimming Nationals for the first time in September .
