A newly constructed 12,000 sq. ft. outpatient hospital in New Zealand, housing over 20 services, achieved remarkable energy efficiency using CopperTree’s Kaizen FDD software. Despite a swift three-year construction timeline and under-budget completion, the hospital sought to further enhance its operations, reinvesting savings into continuous upgrades.
CopperTree’s Kaizen FDD revealed that both chillers were running below the outside air temperature (OAT) lockout threshold of 15°C (59°F), despite minimal cooling demand. The issue stemmed from schedules set for 12-hour daily operations, irrespective of weather conditions. This inefficiency prompted the need to optimize the cooling plant’s sequence of operations.
CopperTree recommended adjustments to the cooling plant sequence based on Kaizen’s findings. By identifying unnecessary chiller operation during low demand, the hospital was able to fine-tune schedules and improve efficiency. Kaizen’s insights provided actionable steps to ensure the chillers operated only when required, aligning with the building’s dynamic needs.
The proposed changes have the potential to deliver:
- $12,000 USD in annual savings
- Energy savings equivalent to 14,000 kWh
- Impact equal to powering 19 homes for one year
With Kaizen FDD, the outpatient hospital not only maximized its operational efficiency but also strengthened its commitment to sustainability, ensuring its critical role in the community is supported by cost-effective, eco-friendly practices.
