LTG created an optimal indoor climate with induction units for a better well-being of the patients.
Originally built in 1972, Greenville Memorial Hospital, the flagship hospital of the Greenville Health System (GHS), was still operating 322 induction units in 267 patient rooms and support spaces. Given that the units were 45 years old, the hospital’s Engineering and Facilities Development teams felt it was time for an upgrade to a newer more efficient alternative.
“Although the induction units had been well maintained, and had operated well for 45 years, they were operating at less than full capacity,” says Curt Hall, P.E. principal engineer for Facilities Development at Greenville Health System (GHS).
For the Greenville Memorial Hospital project, Hall says the engineering group discussed several alternatives, including a central overhead air system, and fan coil units. However, these would have required installing new air handling units, extensive ductwork changes, and other utility system alterations. All required additional space the hospital did not have and so were quickly ruled out.
“We ended up deciding to stay with the induction units,” says Hall. “The decision was driven by the structure of the existing building and what it would allow us to do.”
Hall says the engineering group also wanted to take advantage of recent improvements in nozzle design, electronic damper controls (EDC) and other features in modern induction units that can reduce operating costs and provide better air flow distribution.
An additional motivation was to reduce energy costs associated with the building’s central air handlers, which were being run at higher pressures to deliver the primary air to the aging induction units. After careful consideration, the engineering group decided to embark on a project to replace the 322 existing units.
The first step was to identify the source of the induction units. The original 1972 induction units were Trane models. However, the company no longer offers induction units, so the local rep instead recommended an alternative from LTG.
LTG’s induction units and chilled beams feature many advantages, such as high cooling and heating capacities, low sound levels, long service life and low maintenance requirements.
LTG’s induction units are extremely energy-efficient and can be operated in three different operating and flow modes using the company’s SmartFlow technology. This includes normal mixed/displacement air flow operation, pure displacement, and a variation for rooms with higher occupancy levels (for example, conference rooms) and a “boost mode” for rapid temperature adjustment after a long weekend, etc.
Having identified the correct units, Hall and his team began the project. To date, over 90 of the new induction units have been installed, and already there have been noticeable benefits.
