Energy efficiency meets wellbeing as school embraces sustainable change
Flintshire Council powers community resources and drives green sustainability goals with innovative technology
In the journey toward a sustainable future, small, impactful changes can make a big difference. Flintshire County Council’s latest decarbonisation project at a local school highlights this, showcasing that energy-saving initiatives not only reduce carbon emissions but also ensure vital community resources can continue to thrive.
The hydrotherapy pool at Ysgol Pen Coch (Pen Coch School) is more than just a facility - it's a lifeline for students, offering therapeutic benefits that are crucial for their wellbeing.
It’s a vital resource for children with disabilities, particularly those with physical disabilities.
But maintaining the pool’s temperature with outdated equipment was an expensive and inefficient process, leading to both high energy costs and unnecessary environmental impact. Without a cover, the pool required excessive energy to maintain the desired water temperature, contributing to the school’s carbon footprint and energy bill costs.
To address this, Flintshire Council secured a £7,863 grant from the Recycling Fund, funded by Welsh Government and delivered by our team at Salix, to replace the old pool cover with a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient alternative.
This new cover not only improves heat retention and reduces energy waste but also ensures that the pool continues to function sustainably, supporting both the needs of the students and the community’s environmental goals.
The results speak for themselves. The new cover is estimated to save 7.94 tonnes of carbon annually, significantly reducing the school’s energy consumption. It has also made the pool area more comfortable and efficient according to members, improving the overall environment for those who rely on it for therapy.
By integrating energy-efficient technologies like the new pool cover, Flintshire County Council is demonstrating that it’s possible to reduce carbon footprints while maintaining functionality. The council is committed to continuing this work across its assets, utilising funding opportunities like the Salix Recycling Fund to achieve its net-zero goals.
Philip Southern, energy conservation surveyor at Flintshire County Council, said: “We’ve been using Salix funding since 2010, which has allowed us to deliver many energy efficiency projects that otherwise might not have been possible. Our focus will continue to be on using these resources to meet our net-zero targets through a variety of measures and technologies.”
This initiative is just one example of Flintshire’s commitment to a greener, more sustainable future, one that balances the needs of the community with the imperatives of climate action.
In the meantime, the schoolchildren and local community can enjoy the pool with all the health benefits it offers.
Mr Noel Fitzgerald, the Headteacher of Ysgol Pen Coch: “The pool is a real lifeline to our children as well as others in the community.
“It’s wonderful that we no have a more energy efficient facility but also one that is more comfortable to use.”