Aegis Makes a Splash at One of North America’s Largest Pools

A large outdoor saltwater pool in Western Canada, among the largest in North America, is a cherished public facility. As part of its electrification efforts, the local government decided to upgrade the pool’s hot water system, which serves multiple showers and sinks during the open season from early morning to evening.

Previously reliant on natural gas boilers, the pool required an all-electric solution that could fit into the existing mechanical room and be installed swiftly, as the pool was scheduled to open in the spring after its winter maintenance.

Riada Sales Inc., a representative of Lync, was up to the challenge. “This project required us to showcase our ability to deliver efficient, sustainable solutions under tight deadlines, helping the community pool meet electrification goals,” Scott Adair from Riada explains.

Riada specified the Aegis A 250 Heat Pump Water Heater, along with a full range of supporting equipment, to meet the facility’s electrification and space constraints. The system included:

• Aegis A 250 Heat Pump Water Heater: This efficient heat pump extracts energy from the mechanical room air to generate hot water, significantly reducing energy consumption.
• 500 gallons of storage: Comprised of a 250-gallon storage tank, a 250-gallon electric storage tank with 54 kW of electric heat, and a separate 18 kW electric reheat tank.
• DigiTemp Mixing Valve: Ensures precise and consistent temperature control for the facility’s showers and sinks.

The Riada team also ensured the system was built to last in the coastal climate, equipping the Aegis heat pump with a corrosion-resistant coated coil option. The EC fan option allowed the heat pump to operate quietly and efficiently by pulling air from the mechanical room and exhausting it outdoors. A step-up transformer was installed to convert the facility’s 208V power to 480V, ensuring optimal performance for the heat pump.

As Scott Adair put it, “By using the Aegis heat pump, along with associated products, we delivered a solution that balanced efficiency, reliability, and sustainability – exactly what was needed for this project”.

The system was winterized to prevent freezing in water lines during the off-season, ensuring protection in freezing temperatures. It also qualified for a two-year extended parts warranty, as three or more products in the Watts family of brands were used, and the city added a five-year compressor warranty for peace of mind.

The all-electric solution was successfully installed on a tight timeline, enabling the pool to open on schedule with a modern, energy-efficient water heating system.

In the years to come, the system is expected to deliver a number of benefits:

• Reduced Energy Costs: The Aegis heat pump’s efficient operation at low outlet temperatures will lower operating costs for the city while providing reliable service.
• Reliability and Durability: The corrosion-resistant features and extended warranties give the city confidence in the system’s performance, even in the coastal environment.
• Sustainability Leadership: The electrification of the pool’s heating system contributes to Vancouver’s environmental goals by reducing carbon emissions, supporting a greener, more sustainable future for the community.

This project now serves as a model of how innovative technologies, like the Aegis heat pump, can support sustainability goals while ensuring dependable and efficient service for public facilities.