The Aquatic Center has its primary energy source in natural gas, which will heat both pools and the building, so electricity plays a relatively small part in energy expenses, city officials said. The Aquatic Center will still need electric energy, however, and Rocky Mountain Power has offered incentives and suggestions to reduce energy costs at the facility, according to the news release.
“The FinAnswer Program is a free service Rocky Mountain Power offers to customers,” said Ken Davey, Moab city economic development specialist. “Their experts talked to the project designers and came up with a list of suggestions. They do the work, and we get the savings.”
Rocky Mountain Power energy specialists examined the plans for the building, which was designed to be as energy efficient as possible, and found a few more areas that could be modified to reduce costs in the long run, Davey said.
In the design of the facility, city officials sought to install the most energy efficient equipment and fixtures, which will save the city money in the long run, according to the news release. The low-energy devices may cost more initially, but they pay themselves off over time, Davey said.
The Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center will include an indoor and an outdoor pool, with rooms and facilities for exercise, weight training and other activities.
The Aquatic Center will be spending $8,592 more than originally designed on these low-energy devices, and will be saving an estimated $1,743 each year in electric bills, according to Rocky Mountain Power estimates, Davey said.
“This type of service is available to Moab businesses, large or small,” he said. “In the end you’ll use less electricity and generate less pollution, and you’ll absolutely save money.”
Additional information about the program is available by contacting the company’s energy services hotline at 800-222-4335 or by email at energy.expert@pacificorp.com.