Retrofit Lighting Helps Healthcare Facility Save Big on LED Upgrade
CLIENT: ST. ANTHONY'S REGIONAL HOSPITAL | LOCATION: CARROLL, IA
For over a century, St. Anthony’s Regional Hospital has kept the lights on 24/7 to serve the healthcare needs of the local community. To help control energy costs and continue its commitment as a healthcare leader, the hospital and nursing home teamed with Van Meter Inc., MidAmerican Energy and Nexant to update its facilities lighting.
CHALLENGE
St. Anthony's Regional Hospital is a full-service, rural hospital and nursing home located in Carroll, Iowa, a community of about 12,000. In order to reduce energy costs and lower maintenance expense, the hospital asked the lighting experts at Van Meter to evaluate its lighting.
“We did a payback analysis on the cost of their old fluorescent lighting versus new technology and it was clear we could help them do better,” explained Kevin Wittrock, an account manager with Van Meter. Van Meter recommended switching out the hospital and nursing homes’ old fluorescent fixtures with new, light emitting diodes (LEDs) that require a fraction of the energy.
MidAmerican Energy was also offering a substantial rebate for switching to energy efficient LEDs. “The product cost, including rebates, was extremely attractive. We couldn't pass up this opportunity to reduce our energy costs and improve the lighting quality in our facilities,” said Larry Blanchard, facility services director for St. Anthony’s.
SOLUTION
St. Anthony's worked with Van Meter lighting experts to select the best lighting fixtures and lamps to retrofit approximately 1900 fixtures with LED lighting throughout its hospital, two nursing homes and office space.
Wittrock and Dan Hardaway, Van Meter lighting specialist, began by providing the hospital with an LED demonstration. “We showed them how easy it is to retrofit with LEDs and we gave them six fixtures and lamps to sample in the hospital offices and patient rooms,” explained Hardaway. The reaction of patients and staff was immediate and positive.
Overall, 1300 T8 and T12 fluorescent fixtures were retrofitted with LiteTronic fixtures. Another 600 fluorescents were changed out with Philips LED linear lamps at three lamps per fixture. The installation was completed by the hospital's in-house electrical maintenance staff.
Retrofitting with Litetronics LEDs saved on installation costs too, according to Wittrock. “The installation was easy — no special tools were needed — and it took only minutes per unit. But, the best news is LED lights use sixty percent less energy and can last up to 20 years. That results in some serious savings.”
THE RESULT
Taking advantage of MidAmerican Energy's generous rebate program in support of energy efficiency means an even faster payback for the hospital and nursing home.
“Thanks to MidAmerican's generous rebate program, St. Anthony’s was able to save $200,000 on this lighting upgrade,” noted Blanchard. Van Meter helped coordinate the rebates working through MidAmerica's partnership with Nexant management and technology consulting services.
“No other lighting technology offered as much potential as LEDs to save energy and reduce maintenance expense,” Blanchard explained. LED lighting also enhances hospital and nursing home environments and improves safety for residents, patients and staff.
“Working with the Van Meter team of solar specialists was a positive experience. They were responsive, pricing was where it needed to be and coordinating delivery of materials was perfect,” said Kelly Reames, Stroh Corporation Project Manager for the PV installation. “They helped make the project run like clockwork.”
Annual energy savings is estimated at $25,000 with payback of one year. Blanchard added, “Upgrading to LED lighting was definitely the right prescription for St. Anthony’s.”
“No other lighting technology offered as much potential as LEDs to save energy and reduce maintenance expense.”
- Larry Blanchard
IMPROVE YOUR LIGHTING, REDUCE COSTS
Van Meter provides expert advice in the selection and design of lighting systems and more. We welcome your call to discuss your next project. To speak with a Van Meter lighting representative, call 1-800-247-1410. We’ll quickly connect you with the person or information you need.
St. Anthony's Regional Hospital is located in Carroll, IA. For over a hundred years, St. Anthony's has demonstrated a continued commitment to excellence in responding to the healthcare needs of west central Iowa. Inspired by the mission of service demonstrated by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration the hospital makes caring for people its first priority in approaching the ever-changing field of modern healthcare.
MidAmerican Energy provides service to 746,000 electric customers and 726,000 natural gas customers in a 10,600-square mile area in Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota and Nebraska. MidAmerican Energy is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and offers energy efficiency programs – including lighting upgrades – to help businesses save energy dollars and conserve energy.
Nexant is a globally recognized software, consulting and services leader that provides innovative solutions to utilities, energy enterprises, chemical companies and government entities worldwide. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Nexant provides deep technical expertise and regional knowledge to improve customer engagement, boost operational efficiency, reduce costs and achieve superior business results.