Water, heating, electricity: baths and saunas consume an enormous amount of resources. This is no different in the Phönix-Bad. As a major consumer, the Ottobrunn wellness oasis sees itself as having a special responsibility in view of the current energy crisis and has been reducing the room and pool water temperatures a bit since the beginning of the warm season. After all, even minor adjustments can save many kilowatts of heating energy.
The water temperatures in almost all pools are reduced by 0.5 to 2 degrees, which, according to the pool operator, is hardly noticeable. Only in the “Arielle” teaching pool is the temperature difference slightly larger at 3.5 degrees. But even there, at 31 degrees, the water will reach the comfortable temperature recommended by paediatricians for baby swimming, assures the Phönix-Bad. In addition to the whirlpools (34 degrees), the children’s paddling pool in the leisure pool and the brine pool in the sauna area with 32 degrees still have the warmest water in the Phönix-Bad. The freshest pools are the swimmer and diving pools, which will be set to 27 degrees in the future.
According to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für das Badewesen, lowering the pool water temperature by two degrees reduces total energy consumption by up to 25 percent. In the Phönix-Bad Ottobrunn, an area of 5,000 square meters and more than 2,000 cubic meters of water have to be heated every day. The continuous regulation of the water temperature is particularly energy-intensive. Without a constant supply of heat, the pools would cool down quickly due to the large water surfaces and the strong evaporation.
The new temperature setting is only a measure. In 2020, the indoor swimming pool, sauna world and spa were insulated. According to operations manager Sebastian Weber, the municipality, which is responsible for the pool, is working continuously to improve the energy concept. Weber expressly rules out further changes or even a waiver of particularly energy-intensive offers such as whirlpools, slides or saunas. “Our offer remains as it is, with temperatures that are still pleasant and soothing.”