Siemens to provide hospital with energy efficiency upgrades

Siemens is to provide energy efficiency upgrades to Manchester Memorial Hospital under a $4.9 million contract. Under the ESPC (Energy Savings Performance Contract) with Siemens, the hospital should receive a one-time electric utility rebates sum of up to almost $600,000. Gas incentives on the project are being reviewed by the utility company, but may soon have a response. The Manchester Memorial Hospital is expected to save nearly $500,000 a year in utility consumption once the project is complete. The 249-bed acute care facility provides services for communities east of Hartford, Connecticut. Included in the project is the replacement of outdated oil-fired boilers with new high efficiency, low-emission dual-fuel boilers, that will use only natural gas. The new boilers are expected to save energy, improve reliability and significantly reduce maintenance and repair costs, reducing the hospital's fuel expenses by up to 35%. Siemens has worked with ECHN and Manchester Memorial to implement this energy saving plan, which also includes the upgrade and retrofit of building lighting systems, water conservation measures, a new upgraded energy management system, and new high-efficiency chillers. The positive effects of the energy efficiency improvements will reduce operations and maintenance costs by approximately $28,500 annually. Environmental benefits will also accrue as the program will help to reduce the hospital's yearly carbon footprint by 5,308,357 pounds of CO2, the equivalent of planting 16 acres of trees or taking 441 cars off the road. The project is expected to be completed by June 2013. Siemens