Honeywell International Inc. -
June 9, 2009
Honeywell and Cambridge Memorial Hospital Team to Upgrade Buildings and Conserve Energy
Innovative Solar Heating and Energy-Efficiency Improvements Help Hospital Address Aging Infrastructure and Reduce Utility Costs
MARKHAM, Ontario, June 9, 2009 – Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced a $2-million energy saving and facility renewal program with Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Ontario. The program, which combines traditional facility upgrades with several innovative conservation measures, including a SolarWall® air heating system, will help the hospital address deferred maintenance, reduce its environmental footprint and save approximately $163,000 in utility costs per year.
The hospital will use these savings — guaranteed by Honeywell through an eight-and-a-half-year performance contract — to pay for the improvements. The upgrades also qualify for an ecoEnergy Renewable Heat Incentive from Natural Resources Canada, and an Ontario Solar Thermal Heating Incentive from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Electricity Retrofit Incentive Program (ERIP) and Union Gas, further reducing the need for upfront capital investment or additional Ministry of Health dollars.
The program will significantly curb the hospital’s energy use; it is expected to reduce annual natural gas use by 177,000 cubic meters and electricity consumption by 900,000 kilowatt-hours, enough energy to power more than 50 homes. In addition, carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by approximately 600 tonnes per year. According to figures from Environment Canada, this is equivalent to removing almost 100 cars from the road.
“Energy savings at Cambridge Memorial Hospital have a direct impact on operating costs and service delivery,” says President and Chief Executive Officer Julia Dumanian. “With utility and operational costs rising, reducing energy costs is a sound investment in the hospital’s future.”
“This is all about sustainability and our collective roles as environmental stewards in society to continue working with others on solutions that build economically viable and sustainable communities.”
One of the focal points of the program is the largest SolarWall installation at a North American healthcare facility. At a combined 10,000 square feet, three SolarWall systems will function as a carbon-neutral heating source. Composed of perforated metal attached to the hospital’s exterior, the SolarWall technology heats fresh air during winter months and then feeds the warmer air into the ventilation system. This will reduce the load on the hospital’s air-handling units by almost 10 percent, offsetting 50,000 cubic meters of gas each year. In the summer months, the wall acts as shield against the sun, helping to reduce cooling loads.
Honeywell will also replace three domestic hot water systems with instantaneous water heaters, allowing the hospital to heat water on an on-demand basis compared to traditional systems that heat water continually. This will save energy, lower utility costs, decrease the amount of space required to house the system in the hospital’s mechanical room and reduce the chance of Legionella bacteria growth.
Honeywell expects to complete all upgrades by the end of 2009, including:
· Updating lighting fixtures to more energy-efficient alternatives.
· Installation of a new pressurization fan in the main mechanical room to better control temperature and regulate pressure levels.
· Optimization of cooling, heating and ventilation systems, including the addition of insulation to pipes through the facility.
· Upgrades to mechanical systems including chiller controls and variable frequency drives.
· Placing computer systems and vending machines on a scheduled standby mode to reduce energy use.
· Building envelope improvements, such as sealing windows and doors.
“More than 50 percent of Honeywell’s portfolio is tied to energy efficiency — we are committed to helping organizations like Cambridge Memorial Hospital take a proactive approach to energy conservation and environmental responsibility,” said Luis Rodrigues, Vice President of Energy Solutions for Honeywell Building Solutions. “Through an energy saving and facility renewal program, the hospital is evolving to a more energy conscious facility for patients, staff, visitors and the community of Cambridge.”