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Kavindu

Andrew

Morgan

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Sector: Sports / Public Infrastructure

Building Name: Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena

Client : Heron Buckingham Joint Venture

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Value : 52M

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The client required a heating solution for a large indoor sports facility covering 5,000m², including:

Athletics Track

Indoor Sports Centre

Gymnastics Centre

The system needed to be efficient, low-maintenance, and capable of operating at a 13-meter installation height

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Traditional HVAC systems (e.g., warm air heaters or underfloor heating)

Radiant heating panels (selected for their efficiency and suitability for high-ceiling spaces)

Entropic proposed a single-sided flow and return pipework layout, reducing installation complexity and cost

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Study Duration: Typically 6–12 months

Reasoning:

Allows for seasonal variation in heating demand

Captures performance across different sports events and occupancy levels

Validates system efficiency and thermal comfort over time

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The diagram provided is clear and informative, showing:

Two pipework configurations

The cost-saving benefit of same-side flow/return connections

No ambiguities spotted, though additional performance graphs (e.g., temperature distribution, energy savings) would enhance clarity.

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Here's a possible energy savings graph comparing radiant panels to traditional HVAC for heating a 5,000 m² area with 1,876 meters of radiant panels. It shows monthly energy use and savings.

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Here's a possible energy savings graph comparing radiant panels to traditional HVAC for heating a 5,000 m² area with 1,876 meters of radiant panels. It shows monthly energy use and savings.

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Here's a possible energy savings graph comparing radiant panels to traditional HVAC for heating a 5,000 m² area with 1,876 meters of radiant panels. It shows monthly energy use and savings.

The graph illustrates how radiant panel heating significantly reduces energy consumption compared to a traditional HVAC system. This is just possible energy savings that has been taken from Microsoft Co-Pilot.

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Assumptions:

Reduced Pipework Costs: Entropic’s design placed flow and return connections on one side of the arena, minimizing the need for extensive pipework across the 5,000m² space.

Lower Pump Sizing: By optimizing pressure drop and thermal expansion, the system required smaller pumps, reducing upfront and operational costs.

Efficient Heat Distribution: Radiant panels deliver infrared heat directly to occupants and surfaces, reducing energy waste and improving thermal comfort in large, high-ceiling spaces.

Modular Panel Delivery: Color-coded, pre-sized panels were delivered just-in-time, streamlining installation and reducing labor costs.

Energy Rating: The arena achieved an A3 Building Energy Rating, indicating high energy efficiency and lower utility bills over time.

Potential Risks

Installation Complexity: Coordinating the delivery and installation of nearly 1,900 meters of radiant panels required precise logistics and planning.

Performance Variability: The actual energy savings depend on usage patterns, occupancy levels, and external climate conditions.

Maintenance Needs: While radiant systems are generally low-maintenance, any issues with water circulation or panel integrity could affect performance.

Estimated Payback Range

While not specified in the case study, radiant heating systems in similar large-scale facilities typically offer a payback period of 5–10 years, depending on:

Local energy prices

Heating demand

Initial capital investment

Operational Hours

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Some services of this project were undertaken by 'TOBIN' Consulting Engineers.

As the Lead Consultant on this project, TOBIN Consulting Engineers received the 2017 ACEI Design Excellence Award for Innovation for this landmark project. TOBIN was also the proud recipient of the 2017 KPMG Irish Independent Property Industry Excellence Awards in the Community Benefit Project of the Year Award category for this project.

Radiant panel heating systems were installed in all of the individual arenas, increasing the efficiency in the heating of these massive areas while achieving a Building Energy Rating of ‘A3’.

Supplied 1,876m of radiant panels

Designed a single-side flow and return system

Delivered color-coded modular panels for efficient installation

Provided logistics support with just-in-time delivery

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Radiant panel heating systems work on the principle of thermal radiation, not convection. Here's how they function in sports arenas:

Heat Delivery Mechanism

Hot water is circulated through steel pipes embedded in ceiling-mounted panels.

These panels emit infrared radiation, which directly warms people and surfaces below.

Unlike traditional systems, they do not rely on heating the air, which reduces energy loss in tall spaces.

Why It’s Ideal for Sports Facilities

Uniform temperature: Heat is distributed evenly across the arena floor, avoiding cold spots.

No air movement: Prevents drafts and airborne dust—important for athletes and spectators.

Fast response: Panels heat up quickly, making them suitable for intermittent use.

Quiet operation: No fans or blowers, which is beneficial in acoustically sensitive environments.

System Components

Boiler or heat source: Supplies hot water to the panels.

Mixing valves and pumps: Regulate temperature and flow rate.

Modular panels: Delivered pre-sized and color-coded for efficient installation.

Efficiency Insights

Radiant systems reduce energy consumption by targeting heat where it’s needed.

In high-ceiling buildings, conventional heating can waste energy by warming unused upper air layers. Radiant panels avoid this by focusing heat downward

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Entropic Case Study – National Indoor Arena Entropic. (n.d.). National Indoor Arena Case Study. Retrieved from https://entropic.ie/case-study/national-indoor-arena

KSS Group – Architectural Design of National Indoor Arena KSS Group. (n.d.). National Indoor Arena. Retrieved from https://kssgroup.com/projects/national-indoor-arena

MMP – Project Management for National Indoor Arena MMP. (n.d.). Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena. Retrieved from https://mmp.ie/projects/sport-ireland-national-indoor-arena

Messana Tech (n.d.). How Does Radiant Ceiling Heating and Cooling Work? [online] Messana Hydronic Technologies. Available at: https://messana.tech/knowledge-base/how-does-radiant-ceiling-heating-and-cooling-work/ [Accessed 21 Oct. 2025].

Microsoft Copilot: Your AI companion. (2025). Microsoft Copilot: Your AI companion. [online] Available at: https://copilot.microsoft.com/chats/bQJvQKfcUrM3fTNy5eXej [Accessed 21 Oct. 2025].

TOBIN Admin (2021). National Indoor Arena - TOBIN Consulting Engineers. [online] TOBIN. Available at: https://www.tobin.ie/project/national-indoor-arena/ [Accessed 21 Oct. 2025].

BNthermic (2025). Sports Hall Heating Solutions | Heating for Sports Halls | BN Thermic. [online] BN Thermic. Available at: https://www.bnthermic.co.uk/applications/sports-hall/ [Accessed 21 Oct. 2025].