15 May Make your Gym or Health Club Energy Efficient

You don’t need us to tell you that running a gym or health club can be an energy intensive task – and that’s in more ways than one. Standard health equipment like treadmills and exercise bikes might well have grown more energy efficient over time, but they remain a huge energy drain, and that’s without getting into issues like lighting, heating and air conditioning.

Put simply, you’ll find that heating and powering your gym or health club can be one of the greatest areas of expenditure.

That’s meant for many gym or health club owners there’s been a real push towards achieving energy efficiency within their businesses. But how? Here’s some of our top tips.

Be smart with your heating

In an office or home environment, it’s advised that you try to keep the temperature at around 21°C, as it’s at that temperature where the majority of people are comfortable. However, at a gym or health club, you’ll find you can safely lower those temperatures.

Because of the heat-generating physical activities performed, your customers are naturally getting warmer. By lowering the temperature, you’ll not only save on your energy bills but deliver a more comfortable workout for your clients. For example, it’s recommended that weight training rooms sit at between 12°C and 14°C, and general fitness areas at between 16°C and 18°C.

Make use of lighting tricks

It’s estimated that up to 20% of a total energy bill from a gym or health club can come from your lighting, so it’s always worth taking a look at your lighting procedure.

Many gyms and health clubs run their lighting all throughout the day, but that’s simply not necessary. By using lighting timers, you can control whether lights are on or off during quiet parts of the day. Alternatively, you can use motion sensors to automatically light an area if clients enter it.

You should also investigate making the move to energy saving lighting systems, though this can require an initial outlay.

Repair and replace

Just like in a home, up to 65% of the heat you’re paying for is lost through the building. The exact amount will depend on the exterior temperature, but there can be no doubting just how leaky your building can be.

That’s why it’s essential you don’t wait to repair or replace your broken parts of your premises. Gaps in walls, broken windows, leaky doors and more can all contribute to higher energy bills, and therefore higher costs.

You’ll also find that insulation is also worth investing in, should you wish to truly make your gym or health club more energy efficient. If you’re merely renting your property, consider speaking to the building’s owner about making these changes.