KeyBank Center – Rink Dehumidification

Project Details

• Client:

  Hockey WNY LLC

• Our Role:

  Design-Build Contractor

• Location:

  Buffalo, NY

• Expertise:

  Design-Build for HVAC Installation

overview

Danforth was awarded an energy efficiency project at the KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres. The project objective was to dehumidify the rink environment to improve ice conditions for the players.

approach

To accomplish the dehumidification goals, Danforth added dehumidifiers to three of the facility’s existing air handling units. These specially designed Munters units are able to provide a dew point below 40˚F throughout the game, keeping the ice surface fresh for a longer period of time. Danforth also replaced three existing vortex fans with energy efficient fan walls and variable frequency drives. To further improve efficiency, Danforth upgraded the existing controls and provided a new sequence of operations. Furthermore, in order to reduce air flow across the ice, Danforth reconfigured the existing supply air diffusers that discharge conditioned air into the arena.

results

Once the improvements and upgrades were completed, the Buffalo Sabres organization received a significant incentive from National Grid as a result of 1,011,681 KWH energy savings..