Arnprior Regional Health honoured with national award for the Hospital’s energy management transformation

September 3, 2021 – The Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES) awarded Arnprior Regional (ARH) with the 2021 Wayne McLellan Award of Excellence in Healthcare Facilities Management for the Hospital’s energy management transformation that upgraded the HVAC systems and provided ongoing annual energy savings.

In 2015-16, The Hospital’s Facilities Team developed a five-year strategic facility renewal plan to identify and address aspects of the building’s systems that were in significant decline. This included two large steam boilers that were 45 years old and starting to fail with high annual operating costs, as well as HVAC systems that were in decline that made it difficult to control interior temperatures and humidity, and finally, most of the rooftop air handling units and make-up air units that needed to be replaced.

“The Hospital required several millions of dollars in building system replacement and repairs as imminent breakdown was likely,” said John Gruno, Manager, Facilities, ARH. “Capital funding for small rural hospitals to undergo system replacement projects of this magnitude was not readily available at that time. We developed an energy management plan that addressed the funding concern by leveraging a long-term private loan which was partly financed through energy saving opportunities such as converting to LED lighting and sealing outside windows.”

Through a competitive procurement process, Trane was selected as the redevelopment partner and from 2016 to 2018 the old steam boilers were replaced with three gas fired high efficiency hot water boilers, the humidifier and most of the air handling and make-up air units were upgraded and modern building automation controls were added. All of these infrastructure improvements enhanced comfort for staff, patients, and visitors.

“It is an honour to receive formal recognition from The Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society for our Facilities Team’s innovation and strategic approach to our declining building systems,” said Eric Hanna, President and CEO, ARH. “The multi-year plan modernized our aging facility, capitalized on cost savings and made our Hospital more energy-efficient, while preserving funds for much-needed, new medical equipment.”

The award was formally presented in-person at ARH by the CHES Ontario Chapter on September 2, 2021. As part of the honour, ARH received $2,000 to support ongoing sustainability education and leadership within the Environmental Services Department.

The CHES Wayne McLellan Award of Excellence is sponsored by Honeywell Ltd.

About Arnprior Regional Health

Arnprior Regional Health (ARH) is a progressive 141-bed organization that includes an accredited with exemplary standing community hospital, nursing home, primary healthcare centre and extensive community programs. ARH is a regional hub with a strong history of providing exemplary care to the residents of West Ottawa, McNab/Braeside, Arnprior and portions of Mississippi Mills. As your partner in health, ARH is committed to listening to and responding to meet the needs of those we serve, because together, we create a healthy community.

For more information:

Melissa McDermott

[email protected]