How Much Can You Save With a Synthetic Ice Rink?
If you’re still on the fence, perhaps this example will sway your decision. Consider a 200 m² home rink and the electricity a refrigerated rink of the same size would require. A Glice rink avoids roughly 9,600 kWh of refrigeration electricity per month in this example. This is based on a formula that assumes roughly 1.6-kilowatt hours are used per square meter to keep an ice rink in operation on a daily basis. In our example, 320 kWh would be required daily to keep a 200 m² ice rink operational. Multiply this number by the average number of days a month, and you get the number of kWh that this ice rink can save per month. In addition to the savings on electricity, synthetic ice rinks also eliminate the need for expensive machinery, like a Zamboni. Given the current electricity and fuel prices, this might sound like a dream come true. It’s certainly a significant incentive to “go green.” Especially when you take into account that Glice plants one tree per produced panel with our Skate for the Planet Campaign. For more info, read our white paper on the topic.
The same math scales to any rink size, from a home rink to a full recreational or hockey installation. The larger the rink, the larger the avoided electricity cost.
6 Benefits Synthetic Ice
Year after year, ice lovers dread the change of the seasons and the consequences it has on natural ice. It’s no secret that Glice’s synthetic ice technology offers the solution to this recurring problem. For starters, they can be used year round, as they don’t rely on the weather to be operational. However, there are other advantages that come with installing a Glice rink. Related reading:
Synthetic Ice vs. Real Ice: What Are the Differences?
1. Made to Last
Synthetic ice rinks are known for their durability and longevity, making them an excellent long-term investment. Glice uses a technology that makes the panels reusable for up to 20 years (provided you adhere to our care instructions). Rink owners won’t need to invest in a new rink year after year—nor will they have to rent a new one every year.
2. Better for the Environment
Synthetic ice rinks do not need rink water or refrigeration electricity at the skating surface to operate, which means rink owners are able to avoid the exorbitant electricity bills synonymous with conventional ice rinks. And since they’re not a drain on resources, they’re better for the environment, too.
3. Cuts Down on Travel Costs
Whether it's a family avoiding the drive to the nearest arena, a club avoiding travel between practice facilities, or a municipality keeping skating on-site for its community, a synthetic ice rink removes the time and cost of traveling to a separate rink.
4. More Practice and Training Time
A rink on-site, whether at home, at a club, or at a training center, means skating isn't limited by someone else's ice-time schedule or the weather.
5. Saves Time for Everyone Involved
Less travel and less competition for scheduled ice time add up. For a family, that's more time at home. For a club or venue, that's more skaters getting ice time without a packed booking calendar.
6. Low Maintenance
Glice ice panels are low maintenance. Depending on the frequency of use, it’s enough to vacuum them once a day and clean them once or twice a week. This means no resurfacing is needed i.e. no resurfacing breaks or time-consuming installation of the rink itself.
Why Choose Glice?
Glice offers many solutions to your ice-related problems, the most attractive of which is the money-saving aspect. Installing a synthetic ice rink has enabled both private owners and public ice rink operators to cut down on costs. For instance, an indoor ice rink operator in Ludwigsburg, Germany had initially planned to use its Glice rink as a cost-efficient way to offer skating in the summer. However, due to the current energy crisis in Europe, they have decided to operate the Glice rink exclusively in winter as well. Are you interested in finding out why Glice is different? Feel free to browse our FAQs and testimonials and read more about why Glice makes a great visitor experience. You’re also welcome to get in touch with us so we can talk through any questions or concerns you may have about choosing Glice for your next ice rink investment.
