Case Study

$250,000 in Annual Savings for VISN 7 VA Southeast Network Hospitals with Comprehensive Energy Conservation Solutions

SMI Impact

Total savings in excess of $250,000 per year

Leak repair for improved system health and safety with savings in excess of 4,000,000 gallons of water per year

Estimated 160,590 lbs of steam saved per year with installation of pressure motive pumps and Improved control of perimeter heating units

Estimated savings of $53,661 with condensate heat recovery

Estimated savings of $75,862 with insulation upgrades

Customer

An ESCO contracted with Steam Management, Inc. to design, bid, and execute turnkey installation of multiple ECMs across 6 hospital campuses in the VISN 7 VA Southeast Network.

Problems

The ESCO wanted to include significant thermal savings for this project.  Our challenge was that the hospital network had an existing steam trap monitoring system with preventative maintenance program. The hospital had also recently installed new pipe and equipment insulation throughout most mechanical spaces.  Steam Management was tasked with finding creative solutions for the ESCO to include in its EPC.

  • Existing hot water distribution system design did not allow condensate to be returned to the boiler, because the discharge from the domestic hot water heaters is too low to enter the boiler condensate return tank. The result being that the client was either discharging condensate to a drain unnecessarily due to equipment failure or pumping recoverable energy in condensate back to the utility. Additionally, because the existing condensate return pump was not functioning properly, it was running continuously and wasting electricity.

  • Steam pressure is maintained at a level that is not needed for most of the days throughout the year resulting in decreased efficiency

  • Facility has full-time, year-round steam demand for domestic hot water, building heat, and sterilization.

  • Leaking steam distribution piping

  • Uninsulated steam, condensate and HW piping across multiple buildings

Key Actions

  • Survey, design and develop multiple scopes of work

  • Submit stamped engineered drawings with equipment schedules for project approval

  • Prepare product submittal packages for project approval

  • Prepare work and safety plans with JHA for project approval

  • Manage material purchasing and handling on site across 5 VAMC facilities

  • Manage all subcontracted labor for turnkey installation

  • Work with facility and building managers for site access and utility shutdowns

  • On-site project management by SMI personnel

  • Conduct start-up and weekly safety meetings

  • Installation of 655.5 linear feet of pipe insulation, 198 fittings, and 20 RICs across the hospital campus

  • installation of a new fully functional steam condensate return system including, electrical, controls, receiver tank, pumps, tube and shell heat exchange, insulation and appurtenances.

  • Installation of 33 thermostatic radiator valves across six high traffic buildings

  • Installation of five pressure motive pumps

  • Pre & post M&V data for all installed components

  • Complete project commissioning, punch list and sign-off walk throughs

  • Provide site training with videographer

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Schedule an Assessment of Your Facility

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1-800-731-0131

One Lincoln Street, Suite 2400
Boston, MA 02111