Low Emissivity Ceiling (Reflective Foil Insulation)
“The next time you are in an indoor skating or curling rink, look above the
ice surface. If you don’t see a shiny aluminum surface, the rink is wasting
large amounts of energy and money,”
How Does the Low-E Ceiling (Reflective Foil Insulation) Work in an Rink?
Radiant heat transfer between the roof of a rink and the ice beneath is the single greatest factor behind
heat gain in a typical arena. A Low E ceiling acts as a highly efficient barrier to radiant heat transfer between
these two surfaces, thus dramatically reducing the refrigeration load.
A Low E Ceiling radiates only 3 % of the heat of the roof to the ice surface. Other materials used in roof
construction radiate up to 90 % of the heat to the surface below.
A Low E Ceiling installed in your rink will block radiant energy emitted from the ceiling structure. This has
the effect to reduce heat load on the ice, in turn reducing run time on the refrigeration system. This
translates into energy savings of 20% or more, improves the ice quality, improves the building's ambient
light levels by up to 50%, and significantly enhances the facilities appearance!
Quick Points on Low E Ceilings
 Low E Ceilings save 20 – 35% of the refrigeration energy costs in a typical rink
 Low E Ceilings reduce heat fluctuations radiated from the roof to the ice surface
 Ice surface temperature will become more constant and less prone to warm, soft conditions late in the day.
The ice will be harder and faster even in warmer weather –using less energy.
 Dramatically reduces damaging ceiling condensation. Instead of radiating to the ice from above, the heat stays
at the roof deck, warming the upper surfaces of the rink to above the dew point and reducing the possibility of
condensation forming.
 The Aluminum foil finish will reflect light to help brighten the arena and improve light level for users on the ice
surface
Based on the past 13+ years of experience we have had working with Saskatchewan Arenas & Curling
Rinks installing Low E Ceilings, we are proud to have so many satisfied customers that are saving money
in their facilities! Prairie Panels Ltd. is a name you can have confidence in.
Visit our website www.prairiepanels.ca to view a large gallery of pictures from Low E Ceilings we have
installed in Saskatchewan Rinks, as well a list of Arena Products including: Glass, LED Lights, Netting,
Puck-board, Professional Goal Nets, etc. for your Arena.
Thank-you for your Time & Consideration!
Prairie Panels Ltd.
Ph: 306.249.4130
www.prairiepanels.ca
Advantages of installing a Low Emissivity Ceilings:









Reduce refrigeration loads and energy costs
Increases R-factor – reduces conductive heat transfer because of its encapsulated air
Improve lighting levels and quality
Eliminate moisture and condensation problems
Improve acoustics and enhance appearance of your rink facilities
Dollars Wisely Spent/ ROI
Be modular and integrate into roof design
Maintain building integrity
Reduce Carbon Foot Print on the Environment
Reduce Refrigeration Loads & Energy Costs $$:
The design and amount of refrigeration energy usage for an ice rink depends primarily on the heat loads
(i.e. conductive, convective and radiant) imposed on the ice sheet. Therefore, incorporating a Low E ceiling
into the design or retrofit of an ice rink helping to reduce the heat loads is the key to and energy and cost
efficient design and operation.
It is interesting to note that ceiling radiation is generally the largest single heat load source in an ice rink
and yet is so often overlooked. In fact, ceiling radiation can account for 25% to 35% of the total
refrigeration requirements. Nevertheless, the amount of heat radiated to the ice is substantial. For those
not familiar with radiant heat transfer; radiation occurs when there are big differences in temperature in an
open space, such as when you lie in the sun, sit in front of a fire or stove or huddle up to a radiator.
Fortunately for ice rinks, infrared radiation is one source of heat load that can be practically eliminated. The
amount of heat radiated to the ice is controlled by the temperatures of the ceiling and ice, and a factor
called emissivity.
Materials that are a perfect radiator of heat would have an emissivity of 1, while materials that radiate no
heat would have an emissivity of 0. Unfortunately most ceiling materials (wood, steel, insulation, white and
colored paints, tile, concrete, white vinyl, etc.) and exposed structural members found in ice rinks will have
an emissivity of about 0.90.
The most sensible way to reduce the amount of heat radiated from the ceiling is to install a Low E Ceiling.
These ceilings have a surface emissivity of about 0.03 (ASTM E408). Installing a Low E Ceiling in the above
example, would reduce the radiant heat load to 20,992 Btu/1ir (2 Tons, 6 kW refrigeration). This translates
into a savings of over 90%, in reduced radiant heat loads. Ice rinks can take advantage of the Low E ceiling
to reduce refrigeration plant requirements (Tons, kW) and energy (kWh) costs.
Prairie Panels Ltd.
Ph: 306.249.4130
www.prairiepanels.ca
Increase R Factor:
When Reflective Insulation is installed, it blocks off an upper air space. This increases the R-Value of a roof
structure because the air space becomes an excellent insulator. Bulk insulations do not increase the RValue; they reduce convection currents. R-Value is only a measurement of the resistance to heat flow in the
conductive mode. Air, being a very low density material, is the best insulator against heat flow by
conduction. During the cold winter months, a Low E Ceiling will help to reduce heat loss by conduction.
Improve Lighting Levels & Quality:
Aluminum is a highly reflective material. This is the reason that many customers have experienced a
40 –55% increase in candle power at ice level. Light bounces back and forth between the painted ice and
the Reflective Insulation that the Low E Ceiling is made of. It is this reflective action that minimizes glare
and shadows and improves the overall appearance of the rink. Low E Ceilings can improve present and
designed illumination levels (fc, lux) by 20% to 30%.
Condensation Reduction:
Condensation has a deteriorating effect on steel and wood. In a colder climate hoar frost accumulates on
the ceiling structure if the insulation and vapour barrier are damaged or if there is no insulation at all. When
Reflective Foil Insulation is installed, it creates a vapour barrier and a thermal break, thus eliminating
condensation on the underside of the roof structure.
Acoustics Improvements:
Reflective Foil Insulation will improve the quality of sound because of the air bubbles inside the insulation.
It has a “cushioning effect” that will change the reverberations in a positive manner. It can also reduce the
noise level in a structure. In addition, the design of the ceiling results in a substantial acoustical
improvement in rinks where the volume or quality (reverberation time) of the sound in the arena is
objectionable.
Dollars Wisely Spent
Depending on current/future electrical rates, building operating conditions, and practices- cost paybacks for
the installation of a Low Emissivity Ceiling may be achieved in as little as 2 -3 years. Although for some
facilities it may take longer, there is no question that the installation of a Low Emissivity ceiling will pay for
itself and generate future savings through a reduction in operating costs.
Improved Aesthetics & Rink Appearance:
Many buildings could use an improvement in appearance! Especially the older wooden structures, or those
where the insulation has suffered considerable damage. When a Low E ceiling is installed, it has the effect
of giving the building a “new look”. In addition, eliminating wetness also prevents rust and rot and helps to
preserve the rink structure and building integrity. The periodic painting and cleaning of the structural ceiling
can be eliminated, saving substantial material, labour costs and rink down time.
Prairie Panels Ltd.
Ph: 306.249.4130
www.prairiepanels.ca
Reduce Carbon Foot Print on the Environment
Indoor ice rinks create a unique condition where a large, relatively cold surface (ice sheet) is maintained
beneath a relatively warm surface (rink ceiling). The ceiling is warmed by solar radiation, outdoor air
temperatures and internal sources (people, lights, heaters, equipment, air stratification). Heat gain to the
ice comes from the infrared component of the long wave radiation emitted by the warmer ceiling
Unfortunately as this infrared radiation is difficult for people to sense, its importance in ice rinks is easy to
ignore. A carbon footprint is "the total set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an organization,
event, product or person."Greenhouse gases emitted through fuels, materials, wood, buildings, and
services. For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its
equivalent of other GHGs, emitted.
The mitigation of carbon footprints through the development of alternative projects represents one way of
reducing a carbon footprint and is often known as Carbon offsetting. The main influences on carbon
footprints include population, economic output, and energy and carbon intensity of the economy. These
factors are the main targets of individuals and businesses in order to decrease carbon footprints. Scholars
suggest the most effective way to decrease a carbon footprint is to either decrease the amount of energy
needed for production or to decrease the dependence on carbon emitting fuels.
Notes:
***Puck damage to insulation and vapour barrier is also a concern. In some cases spectator netting may
need to be installed to protect the Reflective Insulation Ceiling.
Prairie Panels Ltd.
Ph: 306.249.4130
www.prairiepanels.ca