Iceless Ice Skating: Eco Living Articles: Eco20/20

Iceless Ice Skating

It should be self-evident that synthetic ice doesn't involve flooding a floor with water. It should be indisputable that any product that would save hundreds of gallons of such a precious and treasured resource is a triumphant achievement. But water-savings is not the sole eco-friendly benefit of an iceless ice rink.

The Advantages of Synthetic Ice

* The manufacture of a synthetic ice rink consumes less energy and fewer finite resources than the production and operation of the refrigeration gear and pipe-works used by a water-ice rink. Using iceless ice also eliminates consumption of fuel by the Zamboni machine.

o If people miss the Zamboni… oh, please, have some fun with that. A human-sized hamster ball would slew madly around on a slick surface and make an interesting break.

* Every skating rink that used an iceless surface would save thousands of dollars' worth of energy by eliminating the need for freezing the surface. Choosing a synthetic polymer substitute would reduce air-conditioning costs for cold areas in the building, as well as heating costs for rooms that are normally warmed for folks who need to thaw.

o An iceless rink doesn't really even require a building. The synthetic surface could be permanently installed outdoors, saving the energy that would be consumed by the construction of a more elaborate facility. However, if you own the rink, you might keep in mind that geared-up hockey players will expect to be kept comfortable and they're not people you'd want to have mad at you, so a shady canopy would be nice and two big breezeway fans wouldn't be terribly expensive.

o As a plus, an outdoor skating rink could take advantage of natural lighting during daylight hours.

The Production of Synthetic Ice Flooring

* There are several companies manufacturing synthetic ice of assorted quality, but the best versions are made of synthetic polymers hardy enough to thwart most of the damage a skate-blade could cause.

o However, if you're one of those skaters who can make the sliding stops that rooster the ice-shavings and earn jealous attention from the balance-challenged among us, you will continue to rule the rink when it comes to synthetic ice. The only difference is the shavings will eventually be swept away, instead of being melted down.

o Some of the older polymer surfaces required topical lubricants that turned sticky when they degraded. Newer lubricants have been developed that are absorbed by the surface to create what polymer chemists call liquid-replicating surfaces, upon which a thin gloss forms under friction to create the slippery feel, while the product remains dry to the touch.

o The best iceless ice products are fabricated in panels that fit together seamlessly, with joints designed to remain rigid and unmoving. The panels are generally laid over a level subflooring.

The plus points of an ice-rink made of synthetic ice are both eco-friendly and cost-reducing. If this is a business you've considered investing in, add it up and give solar roofing a passing thought while you're at it.