Ice Arena Engineering Commissioning

Overview

Minnesota is home to nearly 300 indoor ice arenas that collectively spend millions of dollars in energy costs each year. Most arenas are community-operated, so the energy they spend — or save — has a direct impact on the people they serve.

Since the early 1990s, CEE has helped Minnesota ice arenas to save thousands of dollars in monthly utility costs. In addition to dozens of recommissioning projects to improve energy efficiency, CEE’s independent research has demonstrated potential to cost-effectively cut ice arena energy costs by an average of 30% per facility. Our work in arenas began in the early 1990s, at a time when the state of Minnesota offered “Mighty Ducks” grants to help local governments construct ice arenas. In 1995, the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources funded CEE’s study “Energy Improvements in Public Ice Arenas.” This allowed us to apply our expertise in both HVAC systems and commercial/industrial refrigeration systems to improve the energy efficiency and air quality in Minnesota’s ice arenas. As part of the study, CEE performed energy audits in 28 arenas. Today, CEE continues to provide engineering studies, recommissioning, and other services for ice arenas around the state.