Indoor tennis courts can be the solution to a number of problems. They provide year-round play and allow for ease of programming. They also offer a controlled environment - something that really makes them popular with players.
What is the best way to ensure that the indoor tennis environment remains pleasant? If you talk to any tennis court builders or suppliers, they all say upkeep. Regular facility care ensures a good place to play, and keeps your membership coming back.
The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of an indoor tennis court facility plays a major role in the comfort of players. For example, controlling the humidity is extremely important in indoor tennis facilities, especially if there is a pool or hot tub area. High humidity leads to rust, which in turn necessitates more maintenance.
According to the ASBA’s “Tennis Courts” book, an HVAC system for an indoor tennis enclosure should be capable of changing the air within the structure one to four times per hour with minimal noise or draft. In the winter, the heating system should be able to maintain the building temperature at between 55 and 62 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, air conditioning should maintain an indoor temperature of 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit below the outside temperature, with 55 percent to 60 percent humidity.
Low-intensity gas-fired infrared heating systems that are completely sealed and exhaust to the outside can be used for indoor tennis structures with hard courts, and can heat the enclosure without using duct work, fans or blowers. However, they are not for use in buildings with granular surface courts, since they will cause uneven heating and drying of the surface material in places. Unit heaters (which use forced air) can be used for buildings with either hard or clay courts. Combined heating and air conditioning units, mounted outside the building, with air brought in via duct work, are also used. Air movement in the court area is important and can be done through ceiling fans, ventilation/exhaust fans, or running the A/C on blower setting.
There are certain factors that affect how efficient HVAC systems can be. Significant aspects that building owners should consider when installing HVAC systems area are if:
- The unit or chiller are high efficiency units
- There are VFDs (variable frequence drives)
- A comprehensive HVAC control system exists
Indoor Tennis courts are used by a wide range of individuals. Implementing energy efficient lighting and HVAC provides many advantages for buildings by providing reliable systems and energy saving costs. Sports Interiors has the knowledge and first-hand experience to offer best practices about how to improve the HVAC in your indoor tennis court area.
