Daikin Chillers Selected to Save Millions for Renowned Hospital
Issues: Famous for patient care and its proximity to the pristine beaches of Miami Beach, Mount Sinai Medical Center embarked on a new patient tower to increase capacity and enable higher level care in a modern setting.The largest independent non-profit hospital in South Florida began its expansion in 2016, overhauling outdated and inefficient HVAC systems and reconfiguring the central chiller plant with advanced HVAC technologies to match the cooling demands of the expanded footprint.
“We’re adding 350,000 ft2 to our facility and introducing almost two thousand tons of additional cooling capacity over the next few years,” said Keith Liken, engineering maintenance manager at Mount Sinai. “We really needed a commercial HVAC system with a longer lifespan that will provide significant improvements in energy and cost savings, and fewer maintenance needs.
”Well known for its research and academic programs, the medical center is also square in the path of extreme storms. The hospital’s ability to provide innovative and comprehensive care in cardiology, neuroscience, oncology, and orthopedics is annually under threat of major storms and hurricanes. In addition to reducing the impact of power outages, the hospital is overhauling its central chiller plant’s external structure to reinforce outer building walls, windows, and doors with materials that deflect strong winds and protect the building. Metal beams are also being installed to make it stronger and more resistant to hurricanes.
Mount Sinai selected three Daikin Applied 1500-ton Magnitude magnetic bearing centrifugal chillers to replace the outdated central chiller plant supporting the existing wing, and expand its capacity to account for the added patient tower. This advanced system can potentially boost energy efficiency by 40 percent as compared to standard centrifugal chillers, and save the hospital up to $4 million over the life of each unit.
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