Quality

Spectrum Health Earns Biggest Loser Energy Conservation Recognition from Michigan Battle of the Buildings

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 25, 2019 — The Spectrum Health building at 330 Barclay building in Grand Rapids was awarded the title of 2018 Biggest Loser in the Michigan Battle of the Buildings competition in the Health/Hospital category by reducing energy consumption by nine percent.

More than one thousand buildings across the state competed in the year-long energy and water reduction competition hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan (USGBC-WM) and sponsored by Consumers Energy, DTE Energy and the Michigan Energy Office.

“Many times, energy reduction measures require some sacrifice in comfort from the occupants. In this case, everyone is very happy as the upgrades have increased staff and patient comfort,” said Jim Karas, facilities energy project manager, Spectrum Health.

The 330 Barclay building is a multi-use medical office building. It was built in 1996 and uses heat pumps located throughout the building as the primary source of heating and cooling. Due to the equipment age, most pumps were at the end of their life cycle. The heat pumps were replaced with high efficiency multiple speed units. The associated cooling tower and hot water heating pumps were upgraded with variable speed drives. In addition, the chiller for the outdoor air make-up unit was replaced with a high efficiency unit, completing the building HVAC upgrades. These upgrades, along with LED lighting retrofits that included motion sensors and dimming capability, topped off the conservation measures and generated great savings.

“Spectrum Health understands the connection between human health and environmental leadership” said Cheri Holman executive director of the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan and organizer of the Michigan Battle of the Buildings competition. “Not only has Spectrum Health placed in the top two of the Health/Hospital Category since their enrollment in 2015, but each year they raise their own bar by reducing more energy than the prior year.”

For more information about the Michigan Battle of the Buildings, please visit https://michiganbattleofthebuildings.org/2019-michigan-energy-summit/

 

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