Idaho Central Arena Gets New & Improved Ice Rink Refrigeration System
Idaho Central Arena, home of the Idaho Steelheads and the heartbeat of Boise’s downtown entertainment scene, just completed a significant HVAC renovation, enhancing its arena with a modernized ice rink refrigeration system that promises more efficient and sustainable operation.
For over two decades, the Idaho Central Arena has remained the top venue for some of Idaho’s biggest events in sports, music, entertainment, and business, hosting about 100 events each year and welcoming millions of guests. Partially, this local hub’s longevity is due to its dedication to operational upkeep, incorporating the latest technology for optimal facility performance.
Gritton & Associates was proud to play a role in the maintenance of this important community center with the delivery of a state-of-the-art evaporative cooler from Recold, an SPX Cooling Technologies brand.
A Rapid Delivery & Head-Turning Installation
As you might expect, installing equipment of this size—enough to cool a 200-foot-long sheet of ice—from the streets of downtown Boise was a substantial project that demanded the closure of a major downtown intersection and had Boiseans buzzing.
Notably, this substantial undertaking was complete within 14 weeks, from initial inquiry to delivery. Between our team’s efficient facilitation, SPX Technologies’ rapid production, and an expert installation by ACS American Chiller Service of Idaho, the Idaho Central Arena was able to quickly and seamlessly integrate this upgraded technology into their existing infrastructure for an enhanced ice rink refrigeration system.
The Technology Behind the Ice Rink Refrigeration System
To maintain a sub-freezing temperature and sustain a sufficiently chilled surface, an ice rink refrigeration system involves several components. One of the most important of these is an evaporative cooler that can remove the heat and maintain steadily low temperatures.
In an ice rink refrigeration system, a network of pipes embedded beneath the ice circulates a water-based coolant. To maintain the necessary temperature, this system must absorb and expel the heat from the ice and surrounding environment. This is where the evaporative cooler comes into play.
Acting as a heat exchanger, an evaporative cooler exposes warm refrigerant to the outside air while water is sprayed or cascaded over the heat exchange coils. As the air passes over the wet coils, it evaporates some of the water, which cools the air. This cooled air then absorbs heat from the warm refrigerant, effectively lowering its temperature.
By efficiently removing heat from the refrigerant, an evaporative cooler enhances the overall efficiency and performance of an ice rink refrigeration system, playing a crucial role in the maintenance of ideal temperatures and sustaining the quality of ice that players rely on.
Optimizing Idaho Central Arena’s Ice Rink Refrigeration System with the Recold LC Evaporative Condenser
When it comes to large facilities like the Idaho Central Arena whose mass activity demands maximum cooling capacity, you can’t afford to skimp on any component of your ice rink refrigeration system.
That’s why we supplied the Recold LC Evaporative Condenser by the leading manufacturer, SPX Cooling Tech LLC. This condenser evaporator was designed to not just maintain consistent temperatures for optimal rink performance, but to do so efficiently, sustainably, and safely—not just meeting OSHA air conditioning regulations but excelling in energy reduction.
Lower Energy Consumption
The Recold LC boasts a hybrid design whose induced draft fill/coil evaporator configuration generates stand-out performance and exceptional energy sustainability—using 350 pounds less refrigerant and reducing fan energy consumption by 35%, compared to conventional systems.
These energy savings both reduce the facility’s carbon footprint and extend the lifetime of its ice rink refrigeration system. Plus, copper heat transfer coils, in addition to resisting corrosion and offering greater thermal efficiency, are recyclable and bacteriostatic.
Self-Sustaining Design
For meeting the high demands of a facility like Idaho Central Arena, reliable operation is crucial. The Recold LC incorporates several systems for efficient function and reduced maintenance needs.
A large spray nozzle helps prevent the build-up of debris for a clog-resistant water distribution system, and in the LWA model, it sprays cooler water over the coil, further lowering its scale potential. PVC air inlet louvers restrict splashout, and triple-pass PVC eliminators limit drift, helping to conserve water, prevent moisture release, and reduce water-related maintenance.
Additionally, direct drive fans eliminate the routine maintenance typically required for belt-driven equipment: With no belts and bearings to maintain, direct drive motors do not require routine sheave alignment or bearing lubrication, reducing downtime and evaporative cooler repair costs.
Durability & Longevity
An ice rink refrigeration system encounters rigorous environmental conditions, and its components must be constructed to withstand them.
The LC Evaporative Condenser is built with heavy-mill galvanized steel, and the collection basin is further reinforced with bolted heavy-gauge series 300 stainless steel, providing a robust foundation that’s built to last, even in tough environments. Plus redundant fans ensure continuous airflow and heat exchange even in the event of a fan failure, safeguarding uninterrupted performance.
Compact and Convenient
While equipment performance is a top priority, the feasibility of installation and maintenance are important practical considerations too. The Recold LC meets municipal code height requirements for rooftop installations, like that at the Idaho Central Arena, and for optimal set-up efficiency, the standard unit comes pre-assembled, offering single-piece installation and single-point power connection.
No matter the quality, every HVAC unit requires maintenance. With six to ten gasketless doors per cell and removable PVC air inlet louvers on all sides of the collection basin, interior components can be easily accessed and removed for convenient servicing.
Powering Boise HVAC Supply at Gritton & Associates
The installation of the SPX/RECOLD Evaporative Condenser—a champion of energy-efficient operation—is a testament to our community’s collective commitment to sustainability. With reduced refrigerant charge, low energy consumption, and easy maintenance, it is a substantial improvement to the rink’s old equipment.
Gritton & Associates was excited to be a part of this project and to help ensure that Idaho Central Arena continues to be Boise’s premier entertainment destination for years to come. As a leading Idaho HVAC supplier, we are dedicated to ensuring our community’s facilities keep running efficiently and sustainably by partnering with the best Boise HVAC companies to supply cutting edge solutions.
As we serve facilities across the community, we recognize that we are not only serving our valued clients but our communities as well. Whether it’s a sports arena, a school, a hospital, or a commercial building, our mission is to provide sustainable, efficient, and reliable HVAC solutions that keep these vital spaces running smoothly.