Bristol Lido
December 20, 2010
Bristol Lido, the oldest lido in the country, has been transformed into a model of energy efficiency following a two-year restoration. The complex, including a 24-metre open-air swimming pool, now features Thermomax, one of the highest performing solar thermal collectors in the world, which generate up to 70 per cent of the lido's annual hot water needs. They are also responsible for simultaneously reducing energy bills as well as the overall carbon footprint of the establishment.
Bristol Lido specified 720 Kingspan Solar Thermomax HP200 vacuum tubes, which cover 80 square metres of the south-facing roof. Specifically designed to operate in Northern European climates, they use vacuum tube technology to deliver an unrivalled transfer of solar energy into heat.
Arne Ringer, owner of the 150-year-old Grade II listed Lido wanted to find a way to heat the vast amount of water used at the lido without relying on expensive, carbon fuel resources. He comments: “Heating a large outdoor pool requires a sizeable amount of energy, and is both financially and environmentally a very costly affair. The Thermomax solar collectors allow us to heat our water cost-effectively, whilst helping reduce carbon emissions in the process.”