Bristol Hospital will reduce its energy and water use by more than 20 percent through a $4.1 million Efficiency Services Agreement with Metrus Energy that is the first in state by the San Francisco-based large-scale energy project financing company.
The project includes LED lighting retrofits, building envelope upgrades, an energy management system, power factor correction, steam trap replacements, water conservation and air handling unit replacements on the hospital’s main campus and Ingraham Manor Nursing Home.
Those energy saving initiatives are scheduled to start by mid-February, are expected to be completed by January 2019 and the hospital is participating in an energy rewards program through Eversource said Chris Boyle, director of public relations at Bristol Hospital.
The project will save 1.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity, 125,000 CCF of natural gas and 3.7 kilo gallons of water per year, reducing the hospital’s energy and water use by more than 20 percent, according to the press release. That translates into 15,840 tons of carbon dioxide, or taking 3,084 cars off the road over the life of the project.
“Projects like this are really a win-win for all those involved. Anything we can do to make better use of our resources shows our commitment to the community in trying to save energy,” Boyle said. “This isn’t the first type of energy saving project that we have done.”
In 2013, the hospital received more than $440,000 in incentives from the Energize Connecticut Energy Efficiency Program offered through the-then Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas, which funded upgrades, including new cooling towers and a heat exchanger, Boyle said.
“We are committed to enhancing the health and well-being of our community and the patients we serve,” said Bristol Hospital CFO Ric Braam in the release. “By undertaking this efficiency upgrade project now, we are ensuring operational resiliency and reliability and continued patient comfort. Being able to pay for critical new equipment and facility upgrades from energy and water savings makes good financial sense and keeps us focused on providing outstanding patient care.”
“We are excited to start 2018 with a new health care ESA project that incorporates numerous efficiency measures for two key Bristol Hospital locations,” said President and CEO of Metrus Energy Bob Hinkle in the release. “With this project, Bristol Hospital continues to be a model steward for its community by tapping into energy and water savings to upgrade its facilities.”
Trane, an indoor comfort systems and services company, will be responsible for the installation, operation and management of the hospital’s energy and water efficiency measures, according to the release.
The project will do more than save the hospital energy and water, it will reduce “operational costs, simplify facility maintenance, and enhance indoor air quality as well as patient comfort,” said Connecticut Vice President and General Manager of Trane Joshua Tucker, in the release.
Bill Peterson, Executive Vice President of The New Resources Bank, Metrus Energy’s lending partner in the project, said in the release Bristol Hospital’s project aligns with the banks energy efficiency statements.
Lorenzo Burgio can be reached at 860-801-5088 or by email at lburgio@centralctcommunications.com