by AF 0427 f5 — April 30, 2010—Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has entered into a $5.7-million facility renewal and conservation program with Honeywell. The program, which combines a roof-mounted solar array with several traditional facility upgrades, will help CKHA reduce its environmental footprint and save approximately $494,000 in utility costs per year, savings guaranteed by Honeywell through a 15-year performance contract, according to CKHA.
Beth Hall, Director of Support Services, said the program will significantly curb the hospitals energy use. “We expect to reduce electricity consumption by 1.6 million kilowatt-hours, enough energy to power about 160 homes,” Hall said. “In addition, carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by approximately 1,423 tons per year, equivalent to removing almost 224 cars from the road according to figures from Environment Canada.”
One of the focal points of the Honeywell program is the large solar array mounted on the roof of CKHA’s Chatham campus, which will create a revenue stream for CKHA under the new Ontario Power Authority’s Feed in Tariff (FIT) program and reduce the hospital’s carbon footprint while providing electricity from a renewable source.
Additional conservation measures at the Wallaceburg and Chatham campuses include:
- Updating lighting fixtures to more energy-efficient alternatives.
- Optimizing the HVAC systems, including the addition of insulation to pipes throughout the facilities.
- Upgrading mechanical systems, including chiller controls and variable frequency drives.
- Building envelope improvements, such as sealing windows and doors.
Other building maintenance and facility upgrades are planned at both campuses using Hospital Infrastructure Renewal Funds and annual capital investments.
Honeywell expects to complete all upgrades by the end of 2010. For more information, visit CKHA.
