KeyBank Center – Rink Dehumidification


Project Description

R

O V E R V I E W

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.

A P P R O A C H

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.

R E S U L T S

Once the improvements and upgrades were completed, the Buffalo Sabres organization received a $196,550 incentive from National Grid as a result of 1,011,681 KWH energy savings.