Cool, Comfortable, Efficient
Here’s how Trane helped a major hospital replace aging equipment, increase cooling capacity and improve efficiency and comfort.
Challenge
In 2002 three of the four chillers serving Kingston General Hospital (KGH) were 30 to 40 years old with efficiencies of only 1.0 kWh per ton of cooling capacity. Even under the best conditions, the chiller plant was unable to meet peak cooling capacity — on several occasions during 2002 scheduled surgeries were cancelled due to poor temperature control. In addition, hospital expansions were planned that would put even more strain on the aging chiller plant.
Solution
KGH retained the Ottawa consulting firm of Goodkey, Weedmark & Associates to evaluate and recommend improvements. The first priority was to replace two of the existing chillers and cooling towers. Goodkey, Weedmark & Associates also recommended upgrading air handling units and installing a chiller plant management system to optimize plant operation and efficiency. The goal was to complete the work before the summer of 2003. Goodkey, Weedmark & Associates recommended that given the fast-track schedule, that the project be completed turnkey by a single supplier.
Results
Due to KGH’s previous experience, Trane was asked to complete the project. Trane provided two Model CVHF chillers of 515 and 777 tons cooling capacity, replacing the old chillers for a capacity gain of 510 tons within the same floor area. Trane also provided a preventive maintenance package. New cooling towers include variable frequency fan drives for optimum efficiency. Trane Ottawa also installed a Tracer Summit™ chiller plant management system to optimize chiller plant operation for best efficiency and to communicate with the existing automation system. All work was completed on time, within budget and before the peak cooling season. According to Joel Carr-Braint, KGH plant engineering and maintenance director, the immediate result of the project was improved confidence in the reliability of the hospital’s HVAC system. With cooler temperatures the hospital also enjoys improved dehumidification. Carr-Braint says, “We’ve seen a 40 percent reduction in energy use by our comfort system. That’s very impressive.”
About Kingston General Hospital
Established in 1838 Kingston General Hospital is today a major facility complementing community hospitals and other health care providers in Southeastern Ontario. Linked with Queen’s University in Kingston, the one-million square-feet 456-bed hospital offers a wide array of acute and ambulatory clinical services. The hospital employs more than 3,300 staff members and trains 1200 healthcare students each year.
“We’ve seen a 40 percent reduction in energy use by our comfort systems. That’s very impressive.”
— Joel Carr-Braint, plant engineering
and maintenance director.
