Optimal insulation for ice rink floors

This paper presents an economic analysis to estimate the optimal insulation levels required for indoor ice rinks floors. The analysis is carried out using a thermal ice rink floor system model integrated into EnergyPlus to determine the energy performance of ice rink facilities under different design and operation conditions. Moreover, an ice rink facility is first simulated using a modified version of EnergyPlus that includes the developed ice rink floor system model. The ice rink facility simulation model is then calibrated using monthly utility data. The calibrated ice rink facility simulation model is used to determine economically optimal insulation levels to be placed beneath an ice rink floor in order to reduce energy use and cost for operating ice rink arenas in selected US climates. Finally, the results of sensitivity analyses are utilized to develop a simplified calculation method to determine optimal ice rink floor insulation level as a function of both climatic and economic parameters.