Solving condensation issues puts swimming back on the agenda at Kingswood Centre

19 February, 2006

As part of the refurbishment of this swimming pool to overcome condensation issues, a Niche warm-air heater with heat recovery has been installed.

Swimming has been restored to the activities at the Kingswood Centre in West Runton on the Norfolk coast following the installation of a new heating system. Kingswood Centres run residential educational adventure courses for school children aged eight to 17 throughout the UK. The poor state of the pool building prevented swimming being offered at West Runton. The unheated, open-air pool was enclosed with a rudimentary cover in the 1960s, but long-term condensation caused the structure to become damp. To overcome these problems, an externally mounted Niche gas-fired warm-air heater has been installed to heat and dehumidify the building. It has a cross-flow plate heat exchanger to improve energy efficiency. Warm air ducted into the building mixes instantly with cold air to prevent condensation building up, and there is no temperature stratification. The cross-flow plate heat exchanger and extract fan ensure that most of the heat extracted is reclaimed, reducing fuel costs and carbon emissions. This system qualifies for Enhanced Capital Allowances. As part of a complete refurbishment, a new Perspex cover has been installed and a new gas mains laid to supply the Niche heater. Niche is part of the Ambi-Rad group of companies.

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