A BRADFORD Council-run water centre has had a sustainable makeover to improve its energy efficiency and cut carbon emissions.

The project at Doe Park Water Activities Centre in Denholme was led by the council’s Energy Management team and included adding a new building to the site, which will be accommodated by the energy-saving measures in place.

The existing building, known as Heron, includes classrooms, toilets, changing areas and drying rooms for kits. Before the work was carried out, the old hot water system had to remain switched on for 24 hours a day to provide enough hot water for the site.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: One of the completed buildings at Doe Park Water Activities Centre One of the completed buildings at Doe Park Water Activities Centre

A new building management system (BMS) and domestic hot water system mean that this is no longer necessary. The BMS monitors use of heat and hot water so that it is only switched on when needed. The system can measure levels of humidity in the drying room and automatically switch off when the wet suits and other clothing are dry.

The domestic hot water system can now also be switched off for longer periods, as it has been upgraded to a modern recovering cylinder with smaller immersion heaters, which require less power. This means that the water takes around two hours to fully heat up, instead of having to be left on all the time.

Other measures include new insulation installed behind the cladding, to reduce heat loss, covered by a damp proof layer to protect it from water damage.

All windows have been replaced with double glazed UPVC version. New LED lighting around the perimeter of both buildings, significantly reducing electricity consumption, has been installed.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A special fan has been installed to prevent warm air sitting on the apex of the room, circulating it back to ground level. New cladding was added on the Heron building to match the new building.

The work makes the site more compliant with modern building regulations. It follows the council’s Sustainable Design Guide, a new framework to minimise the energy consumption of its buildings and to provide wider sustainability benefits, in line with the steps needed to become a net zero carbon district by 2038.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for healthy people and places, said: “These new measures should make a significant difference to the energy costs of the site, and make the building warmer for everyone who works at and visits the centre.

“We hope that the changes will be noticeable as the centre gears up for summer activities.”