Council says pool fans will save energy costs at Didcot leisure centre

Previously the pool's heating system had to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, the council said

A council has installed new energy-saving fans at a town's leisure centre in a bid to save money.

South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) has paid for 11 destratification fans at Didcot Wave Leisure Centre.

The council said it was aiming to make the swimming pool area more comfortable for users, while cutting the centre's energy bills by more than a third.

Councillor Debra Dewhurst said the measures would help to keep the leisure centre running.

Destratification fans stabilise the difference in temperature by deflecting hot air back down to the lower area where the pool users are

Thermal stratification happens as hot, lighter air rises towards the ceiling and cool air falls to the floor, resulting in a dramatic temperature difference.

Destratification fan systems are designed to deflect the hot air back down to the lower area where the pool users are.

Before the fans were installed, Didcot Wave pool's heating system had to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature for swimmers.

SODC anticipates that the fans will result in a 35% saving in energy costs.

Estimates show about 30 tonnes of carbon emissions could also be saved each year.

The new measures follow a similar installation in June at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon, in the Vale of White Horse district.

Debra Dewhurst, cabinet member for leisure centres and community buildings at Vale of White Horse District Council, said the examples so far were "proof that in a short time we can make great energy savings... and save money".

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].