The Operational Benefits of Energy Control and Sustainability for Your Fitness Facility

Controlling energy usage will always be a challenge for fitness facility operators. Energy systems and prices differ depending on the country and region, but volatility in energy pricing and delivery can occur almost anywhere and can be more challenging for operators in areas with a limited electricity supply, which impacts energy pricing.

Even though electricity is often considered a sort of fixed cost, there are creative, sustainable ways to save. 

“Operators who don’t own their facilities aren’t generally thinking of investing in the physical plants, but there are ways to tackle costs that you may not necessarily think of,” says Ruben Mejia, executive vice president, Americas at SportsArt. “There’s a place in Irondequoit, New York, called The Imaginarium at I-Square, and it’s a net zero building, meaning it produces as much energy as it uses through renewable energy sources. They have two huge windmills. They’ve got water mills that run on rain, reflective ponds to help with the light, a moss ceiling for better air quality, and much more. Most of their energy- and waste-saving ideas are easily transferable to a gym. It’s just a matter of what you’re willing to do.”

Although you might not have the wherewithal for windmills and some of the other Imaginarium solutions, you can take certain steps to get your arms around usage and control costs.
“One thing you can do is contact your supplier,” Mejia says. “Typically, they’ll work with you to help isolate your usage, showing you peak and lower-usage times. The value there is that you can start to market classes and usage at off-peak times, offering discounts or other perks. In addition, there are ways to optimize energy use by making small improvements, such as sealing windows and doors, and your supplier’s energy report will show you that. It’s an easy way to make changes that have immediate impact.”

Another tactic is to actively shop suppliers. Often, you’re not tied to a single supplier. Currently, about 40% of US states are deregulated. Through what's commonly known as retail choice, these deregulated states offer a choice in providers, and energy suppliers function a bit like any other business: Competitors provide options, and you choose how you spend your money. 

Stewardship as a Marketing Tool

Another part of the equation is sustainability, which often goes hand-in-hand with energy conservation. And it’s a perspective you can actively market with. 

“I remember one of my trips back home to California a few years ago, when Los Angeles was in the midst of a drought,” Mejia recalls. “There was this yard that was just burnt, yellow grass and dirt. The homeowner put up a sign that read, ‘This Lawn Is Water Efficient.’ It struck a chord with me. In order to not be wasteful, they were willing to have their lawn be as it was. And I know I’m not the only who cares about that.”

From an operational standpoint, you can put those energy-saving and sustainability efforts directly to work in attracting and retaining members. Both Gen Zs and Millennials highly value sustainability and are likely to choose brands that prioritize eco-friendly practices over others, even if it means paying slightly more. According to an ESGtoday study, 64% of Gen Zs and 63% of Millennials are willing to pay more to purchase environmentally sustainable products and services. The two combined also have the greatest spending power of any demographic.

“Use that information to your advantage,” Mejia says. “Note your energy-saving and conservation campaigns on your website, use them in your social media and ask members about how they feel about sustainability and what they’re doing to be better stewards of the planet. That’s great user-generated content. And don’t feel like a hostage to your electricity bills. There are active steps you can take to ease the impact of your usage."

Note: ECO-POWR energy-generating machines from SportsArt can be a vital part of your overall energy-saving solution.