The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Ice rinks stay frozen because a refrigeration system continuously removes heat through pipes beneath the ice. When skating roughens the surface, an ice resurfacer shaves off damaged ice and applies water that freezes into a smoother layer. The details vary by rink: some circulate a chilled secondary liquid under the floor, while others circulate refrigerant directly through the piping.
How do ice rinks keep the ice frozen?
An indoor rink is not simply a large freezer with cold air blowing over the surface. Its main cooling work happens beneath the ice. Pipes or tubes in the rink floor carry a cold fluid, drawing heat out of the slab and the ice above it. Pumps keep the fluid moving so the cooling effect is distributed across the floor.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
In a common arrangement, the fluid in those pipes is not the refrigerant being cooled by the refrigeration plant. It is a secondary fluid—such as glycol, methanol, ethanol, or calcium chloride—that carries heat from the rink floor to equipment that cools it. ASHRAE’s 2025 Handbook, Chapter 44, describes these under-ice heat-transfer fluids and rink systems. Other designs circulate a primary refrigerant directly through floor piping. Neither arrangement is universal.
The ice remains frozen as long as the system removes heat at a rate that maintains suitable conditions for the particular facility and its use. People, lights, equipment, the building and the surrounding environment all add heat to the rink. The refrigeration plant’s job is to move that heat away from the cold side; it does not make the heat disappear.
#1 Best Overall
- Valued Carpenter Pencil Set: You will get 2 pcs solid carpenter pencils with 26 piece 2.8 mm refills, 1 replaceable sharpener, 1 plastic storage box.The complete carpenter pencils combination allows you to finish your work faster and more easily
- Deep Hole Marker Pencil: The deep-hole construction pencils adopts 45mm elongated tip design, which is more convenient to mark in the small hole or in other tight areas that other carpenter markers cannot reach
- Carpenter Pencils with Sharpener: The sharpener is screwed into the top of the work pencil, which won't get lost either. Built-in pencil sharpener that keep the lead with pointed and smooth to Improves line of sight in fine work
- Stronger Solid Lead: This work pencil is matched with a 2.8 mm thick lead , which is much thicker and stronger during the drawing process of construction work, it will not break or damage easily
- Marks on Various Surfaces: 3 colors solid construction pencil can marks on various surfaces,such as metal, plastic, wood, paper etc. Ideals for woodworkers, contractors, craftsmen, builders, merchants and masons
What is the liquid under an ice rink?
There is no single answer. In many rinks, it is a secondary heat-transfer fluid flowing through the floor network. The refrigeration equipment cools that fluid, and pumps circulate it beneath the ice. The fluid absorbs heat through the slab and carries it back toward the cooling equipment. The loop repeats continuously while the rink needs cooling.
Possible secondary fluids named by ASHRAE include glycol, methanol, ethanol and calcium chloride. In a direct system, refrigerant itself flows through the floor piping instead. The term “liquid under the ice” therefore may refer to a secondary fluid, but a direct system has a different arrangement. The refrigerant and fluid depend on the rink’s design.
Refrigerants named in rink-system discussions include ammonia and carbon dioxide, among other options. A specific example illustrates why it is important not to generalize: GEA describes the Jaap Eden rink’s 2017 conversion from direct ammonia cooling to an indirect system using ammonium hydroxide as a secondary refrigerant. That is an example of one installation and conversion, not a description of every rink or a general recommendation.
How the refrigeration plant moves heat
The refrigeration plant has a cold side that takes in heat and a warmer side where that heat is rejected. In an indirect rink, the cold side cools the secondary fluid, which then picks up heat from the rink floor. In a direct arrangement, refrigerant circulates through the floor piping itself. In both cases, the system has to move heat from the ice area to somewhere else.
Rank #2
- Ergonomically Designed: Work in tight areas with a compact design that gets into tough spots
- Compact and Lightweight: Both tools are designed to fit into difficult to reach spaces. The 1/4" impact driver has a length of 5.55 in. and weighs just 2.8 lbs, while the 1/2" drill/driver measures only 7.5 in. and weighs 3.6 lbs
- Both the DEWALT impact driver and electric drill driver feature integrated LED work lights with a convenient 20-second delay, ensuring enhanced visibility in dimly lit or challenging work areas
- One-Handed Loading - Keep one hand free with a 1/4 in. hex chuck that accepts 1 in. bit tips
- Power drill cordless with 1/2" single sleeve ratcheting chuck provides tight bit gripping strength, making bit changes faster and more secure
That distinction matters because a rink’s cooling system is more than the floor pipes. The plant, pumps, fluid or refrigerant, heat-rejection equipment and controls work together. A change to one part can affect other parts of the installation. For example, how the fluid moves through the floor influences pumping needs, while the amount and location of rejected heat affect whether it can be put to use in the building.
There is no design that is best for every facility on the evidence available. A new build and a rink renovating or replacing existing equipment may face different constraints. Natural Resources Canada’s 2013 Comparative Study of Refrigeration Systems for Ice Rinks was created to help rink owners and managers assess options in renovation or replacement decisions. Its modeled comparisons depend on the study’s assumptions; they should not be read as current, universal performance figures.
How an ice resurfacer makes the surface smooth
Skates and ordinary rink use scratch, cut and roughen the ice. A conventional ice resurfacer restores the surface by removing a thin layer and replacing it with water. The machine shaves the top, collects the resulting ice shavings, and lays down water. The water freezes on the cold surface, leaving a smoother layer for the next session.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchResurfacing is a maintenance process, not a substitute for the under-ice refrigeration system. The floor system keeps the ice cold; the resurfacer repairs the top layer after use. How often resurfacing is needed depends on use and operating practice; the cited sources do not establish one schedule that applies to every rink.
Rank #3
- 【Great Compatibility】This Katerk 1/4 inch hex shank bit holder is specifically designed for 1/4 inch hex shank drill bits. It's compatible with most 1/4 fast hex handles, hex sockets, various electric screwdrivers, and handheld screwdrivers. The bit holder makes it a valuable addition for any handyman.
- 【Secure and Safe】Built with a secure backup nut design, each drill bit holder securely locks onto your bits, ensuring they stay firmly in place. Additionally, our bit holder incorporates a high-quality steel ball rolling design that holds up to several kilograms of weight, ensuring your various drill bits don't fall off.
- 【Easy One-Handed Operation】The bit holder for impact driver allows you to change bits single-handedly, simplifying your workflow. Its multi-color design further allows for quick identification of the drill bit you need.
- 【Compact and Convenient】Thanks to its compact size, this 1/4 inch bit holder is easy to carry around. The bit holder allows for easy attachment to various tools, making this a convenient addition to your construction accessories. The Katerk bit holder is cast from high-quality alloy material, promising a long product lifespan. Despite its rugged strength, the bit holder remains lightweight, making it portable.
- 【Cool Christmas Gift For Men Stocking Stuffers】 This screwdriver bit holder, driver bit holder, impact bit holder, can be given as a gift to your loved one, especially for anyone involved in construction or electrical work. It's a must-have for stocking stuffers for men and women, tools gifts for dad, tech gadgets for men, gifts for dad, gifts for him, gifts for husband, gifts for boyfriend, cool gadgets for men, and cool gifts for dad.
The work also creates heat loads and other facility demands. The resurfacer uses water, and the refrigeration system must remove heat associated with the water and the resurfacing process as the new layer freezes. The machine also collects shavings that have to be dealt with. Recovering heat from the refrigeration system can help heat surfacing water or melt those shavings, linking surface maintenance with the building’s energy system.
Why curling ice is prepared differently
Curling ice is an important exception to the usual resurfacing description. ASHRAE says curling ice is pebble-treated rather than flooded with water by a conventional resurfacer. A conventional resurfacing explanation therefore does not describe how every ice surface is prepared. The method depends on the sport and the performance needed from its ice.
Where recovered heat can go
Because a refrigeration plant rejects heat, a rink may be able to recover some of it for other uses instead of treating it solely as unwanted heat. Natural Resources Canada lists several common applications. Whether a particular rink can use recovered heat, and how much, depends on its equipment and building needs.
Recommended Free Tools
- Space heating: Heat can serve stands, locker rooms and other areas of the facility.
- Water heating: Recovered heat can help heat water for showers and ice resurfacing.
- Shaving melt: Heat can melt the shavings collected during resurfacing.
- Slab heating: It can heat the slab beneath the ice to help prevent the soil from freezing.
These uses connect rink refrigeration to the wider building rather than treating cooling and heating as entirely separate jobs. A facility needs an appropriate use for recovered heat at the time it is available; the source list does not promise that every rink will have the same recovery opportunities or savings.
Rank #4
- Long Nib and Deep Hole Marker: Our mechanical carpenter pencil with 45mm nib is designed for easy marking of deep holes or narrow areas. These construction pencils are the great choice for woodworking tools, construction tools, carpenter tools, contractor tools, wood carpentry tools and architect tools
- Extra Refills in 2 Colors for Versatile Marking: The construction mechanical pencil comes with 12 extra 2.8mm refills, including 6 red and 6 black refills. The black refill is suitable for light surfaces, while the red wax is perfect for dark surfaces. Our carpenter mechanical pencil makes sure that you'll have an ample supply for extended use
- Built-in Sharpener: Our construction pencil comes with a built-in sharpener to ensure the mechanical pencil tip is always sharp and ready for use. Never buy an extra pencil sharpener again. A great tool for any woodworker pencil, contractor pencils. The refill can easily be extended or retracted with a simple click of the pencils mechanical, allowing you to work more efficiently and accurately
- Portable Clip Design: Our deep hole construction pencil features a portable clip design, easy to carry and attach to your pocket or tool box, so that you can keep the carpenter pencils mechanical close at hand, making it a convenient tool to have on the go. Great gifts choice for carpenters
- Stronger Pencil Lead: The black refills are made of lead, sturdy and smooth. The red refills are made of wax, clear and light. These marking pencils are much thicker and stronger than normal pencils during the marking process of construction work, suitable for various surfaces, such as glasses, metal, boards, floors, walls, furniture, etc. The written marks can be easily wiped with a wet paper towel when needed
Why pumps and fans matter to rink energy use
The refrigeration plant is not the only equipment that consumes energy. Pumps that circulate fluid and fans used by auxiliary equipment also require power. The International Ice Hockey Federation’s 2022 Guide to Sustainable Ice Arenas says: “Measurements done in ice rinks indicate that about 20-25 % of the refrigeration system energy consumption stems from the auxiliary equipment, such as fans and pumps.” That is a figure reported by the guide from measurements in ice rinks, not a guarantee or a fixed share for every installation.
The same guide discusses a system using carbon dioxide as a secondary refrigerant. It says pumping power can be about 1 kW, compared with 5–15 kW for traditional fluids, and that auxiliary energy in such a system becomes less than 3% of the total. Those figures belong to the guide’s technical discussion and should be treated as attributed examples, not a prediction for a rink without examining its design and operating conditions.
For a meaningful comparison, a facility should look beyond the name of a refrigerant or a single energy number. The system architecture, the fluid and its circulation requirements, the auxiliary equipment, available heat recovery and the constraints of the building all matter. A modeled result or figure from another rink may help frame questions, but it cannot by itself establish how a different installation will perform.
What to consider when choosing or renovating a rink system
For owners and managers considering a new system or a major renovation, the right comparison is facility-specific. Natural Resources Canada’s 2013 study frames system comparisons in the context of renovation and replacement, while the IIHF guide highlights the energy role of auxiliary equipment. The factors below help organize the decision without assuming that one option is automatically superior.
Best Value
- Milwaukee Ink all Fine Point Marker, Black, 4 Per Pack
- 4 per pack Features Clog Resistant Marker Tip Writes through Dusty, Wet and Oily Surfaces Durable Marker Tip for Writing on Concrete, OSB and Rough Surfaces
- Clog resistant tip writes on dusty, wet and oily surfaces and is optimized for rough surfaces such as OSB, cinderblock and concrete
- Hard hat clip- attaches for easy access
- Quick dry time with reduced smearing and marking
- Direct or indirect floor cooling: Determine whether refrigerant or a secondary fluid circulates through the floor piping, and what that means for the overall installation.
- Refrigerant and secondary fluid: Identify the substances used in the plant and floor loop. Do not assume that a fluid named in one rink’s description is used elsewhere.
- Pumping and auxiliary energy: Consider the energy used by pumps and fans alongside the refrigeration system’s consumption.
- Heat recovery: Check whether the building can use rejected heat for space heating, water heating, shaving melt or slab protection.
- Safety and maintenance: Evaluate requirements for the particular system and facility, including how staff and contractors will be informed of relevant hazards.
- Renovation constraints and lifecycle needs: Assess the existing rink, the scope of replacement work and the long-term requirements of the facility rather than relying only on modeled comparisons.
These considerations are connected. A design that looks attractive on one measure may have different pumping needs, heat-recovery possibilities, safety requirements or renovation implications. The cited sources provide comparison factors and selected technical examples, but they do not establish a universal winner, current cost figures or a performance guarantee for a specific rink.
Ammonia safety depends on the facility’s approved plan
Ammonia is one refrigerant used in rink systems, and accidental releases are a safety concern that facilities need to address. U.S. EPA New England’s 2018 guidance, Ammonia Safety in New England Ice Rinks, is intended to help rink owners and operators communicate with employees, contractors, vendors and customers about ammonia refrigeration safety and reduce risks from accidental releases.
Safety procedures should be specific to the installation and consistent with the facility’s current approved safety plan and applicable official guidance. The source does not justify using generic detector-placement advice or improvised emergency instructions for an individual rink. People working at or visiting a facility should follow its posted procedures and instructions from trained staff.
At a glance: the two jobs that keep rink ice usable
| Job | What happens | What it accomplishes |
|---|---|---|
| Keep the ice frozen | Pipes or tubes beneath the ice carry chilled fluid, or refrigerant directly, so heat is removed from the slab and ice. | Maintains the cold conditions needed for the rink surface. |
| Restore a worn surface | A conventional resurfacer shaves the top, collects the shavings and applies water that freezes into a smoother layer. | Repairs surface roughness caused by use. |
| Use rejected heat | Recovered heat may serve building heating, water heating, shaving melt or slab protection. | Connects refrigeration heat rejection with other facility needs where suitable. |
The short version is that under-ice cooling preserves the frozen base, while resurfacing renews the worn top. The system’s fluid, refrigerant, energy use, heat recovery and safety arrangements depend on the individual rink.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
