IFHE NEWS
HVAC upgrade to cut Albright Manor care facility’s energy costs and emissions
Keen to replace ageing HVAC equipment at its long-term care facility in Beamsville, Ontario – both to create a more comfortable environment for residents, and cut its carbon footprint, Canadian charitable not-for-profit organisation, Albright Manor, faced the dual challenges of undertaking such a project from an engineering standpoint, and obtaining the required funding. Seeking an experienced partner to
assist it though the process – starting with a preliminary needs assessment to help team members understand the scale of the proposed mechanical upgrade, the care provider’s senior executive team turned to building technology and energy solutions specialist, Trane. With its specialist decarbonisation expertise, Trane identified the costs associated with completing the work, and the key benefits. The latter included energy and greenhouse gas emission reductions, among other savings opportunities, which added to the attractiveness of the business case. Jeff Weir, a senior business advisor with the Comprehensive Solutions Team at Trane, a Certified Energy Manager, Certified Engineering Technologist, and ASHRAE award-winner, explained: “The level of detail Trane provided helped prepare Albright Manor in applying for a grant from the Investment in Canada Infrastructure Program. The bid was successful, receiving just over $4.5 m, which enabled it to go ahead with the rejuvenation of key HVAC equipment and controls, and other ancillary systems. “Albright Manor worked closely with
Trane to make optimum use of the funding, replacing outdated equipment with systems that would not only improve
Trane’s Jeff Weir (left) and Jim McArthur, Director of Properties at Albright Manor, witnessing the first series of lifts that moved new equipment into place.
the care environment, but would also bring environmental responsibility to the forefront.
“Senior leadership personnel wanted
both to reduce the care facility’s emissions, and its day-to-day maintenance and operational costs, in turn providing an opportunity to direct even more savings toward the resident experience.” The HVAC upgrade project included
installing new high-efficiency cooling equipment, replacing a 22-year-old chiller, upgrading 10 air-handling units, adjusting air volumes for enhanced comfort, installing four high-efficiency humidifiers, and replacing the existing building automation system with a state-of-the-art system that allows for control of heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment.
These changes are projected to result
in $63,816 in energy savings, and an estimated $22,000 in water savings annually. Annual emissions reductions of 194 tons of carbon dioxide are also anticipated. To communicate the benefits of
the HVAC upgrade scheme to staff, residents, and residents’ immediate families, Albright Manor and Trane jointly organised a staff and resident information day. Attendees enjoyed lunch, visiting children participated in games, and a stand staffed by Trane industry experts shared information about the programme and its benefits to residents, staff, and the environment, enabling all to understand its full scope, and how their own actions could further impact results. Jim McArthur, Director of Properties
at Albright Manor, is Vice-President of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society, and is set to become its President this September. He said: “This project demonstrated how much can be accomplished when enlisting the right partner to guide an organisation through many competing priorities. The foresight of Albright Manor’s leadership team, with the support from our Board, provincial and federal governments, and Trane, has resulted in a successful outcome for the facility.”
An aerial view of the Albright Manor long-term care facility in Beamsville, Ontario.
n This story is based on an article titled ‘Rejuvenating aging infrastructure’, that first appeared in the Fall 2023 issue of the CHES magazine, Canadian Healthcare Facilities.
February 2024 Health Estate Journal 27
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