Restoring Performance in a Specialist Hydrotherapy Facility
Discover how HI Group helped MidKent College replace gas heating, install renewable energy systems and deliver large-scale estate decarbonisation across two campuses.
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About
A specialist leisure facility within a college estate was experiencing ongoing temperature control, humidity and energy performance challenges. Maintaining a warm, comfortable and reliable environment was essential for users, but persistent operational issues were making the facility increasingly difficult and expensive to manage.
Our team was appointed to investigate the underlying causes and identify a practical pathway to restore efficiency, improve performance and support the long-term operation of the facility.
The Challenge
The hydrotherapy pool was struggling to maintain a stable temperature and was operating at 75°C instead of its original 50°C design temperature.
As humidity became harder to control and heating and cooling systems worked against one another, energy demand increased while overall performance declined. Rather than solving the problem, temporary adjustments were masking underlying issues and placing unnecessary strain on the system.
Our Approach
To understand what was causing the efficacy issues, our engineers carried out a detailed assessment of the hydrotherapy pool and its associated building service systems.
We combined site surveys, plant and controls reviews, distribution circuit analysis and an assessment of the building fabric with IES energy modelling to validate performance issues, uncover the root causes of inefficiency and test potential improvement measures.
By looking beyond the symptoms, we built a clear picture of how the system was operating and where it had drifted away from its original design intent, allowing us to develop practical recommendations for long-term improvement.
What We Found
Our investigation identified several factors contributing to the facility’s performance issues.
The system was operating well above its original design temperature, masking underlying inefficiencies rather than resolving them. Over time, adjustments to controls and system operation had reduced efficiency and created conflicts between heating and cooling.
We also identified issues with valve control, bypass arrangements and elevated underfloor heating temperatures. Together, these were placing unnecessary strain on the system and increasing long-term maintenance risk.
The Solution
Working closely with the client, we developed a targeted optimisation strategy to improve performance, reduce energy demand and bring the system back towards its original design intent.
Our recommendations included rebalancing the hydraulic system to support lower flow temperatures, improving control strategies to eliminate system conflicts and resolving issues with valve control and bypass arrangements.
We also identified several practical opportunities to reduce energy use, including the installation of a pool cover to minimise overnight heat loss and updated scheduling strategies to improve responsiveness.
To create a more stable environment within the hydrotherapy facility, we recommended a phased approach to humidity management, combining short-term control improvements with longer-term enhancements.
Projected Outcomes
By implementing our recommendations, the facility could achieve:
- Up to 33% reduction in annual gas consumption
- Improved pool temperature stability and overall system performance
- Enhanced comfort conditions within the hydrotherapy space
- Reduced risk of condensation and potential building fabric damage
- Lower system stress, helping to extend asset lifespan
- A clear, data-driven roadmap for future upgrades and investment
Creating a Stronger Foundation for Long-Term Performance
This project demonstrates the value of stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. By understanding how the building was operating as a whole, we created a practical roadmap that improves efficiency, protects valuable assets and supports a better experience for everyone using the facility.
The same engineering-led approach can help organisations across the leisure and hospitality sectors unlock greater value from their existing building services.
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