News Release

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Teams with Honeywell to Renew Facilities with Solar Technology and Energy-Efficiency Improvements

Facility Renewal and Conservation Program Will Use
Energy and Operational Savings to Fund Upgrades

CHATHAM-KENT – Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has entered into a $5.7-million facility renewal and conservation program with Honeywell. The program, which combines an innovative roof-mounted solar array with several traditional facility upgrades, will help CKHA reduce its environmental footprint and save approximately $494,000 in utility costs per year — savings guaranteed by Honeywell through a 15-year performance contract.

According to Beth Hall, Director of Support Services, the program will significantly curb the hospital’s energy use. “We expect to reduce electricity consumption by 1.6 million kilowatt-hours, enough energy to power about 160 homes,” Hall said. “In addition, carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by approximately 1,423 tons per year, equivalent to removing almost 224 cars from the road according to figures from Environment Canada.”

“This program is in keeping with CKHA’s green philosophy and compliments the successes implemented through our ‘Green Team’,” said Shona Elliott, Interim President and CEO. “It’s important that we advance efforts to conserve energy and reduce our environmental impact for both health and financial reasons.”

CKHA also held its annual Enviro/Fair today — Global Earth Day. Organized by the Green Team, the Fair provides an opportunity to raise awareness of environmental issues, promote energy savings at work and home, and celebrate CKHA’s green efforts, including the Honeywell partnership.

One of the focal points of the Honeywell program is the large solar array mounted on the roof of CKHA’s Chatham campus, which will create a revenue stream for CKHA under the new Ontario Power Authority's Feed in Tariff (FIT) program and reduce the hospital’s carbon footprint while providing electricity from a renewable source.

Additional conservation measures at the Wallaceburg and Chatham campuses include:

• Updating lighting fixtures to more energy-efficient alternatives.
• Optimizing the cooling, heating and ventilation systems, including the addition of insulation to pipes throughout the facilities.
• Upgrading mechanical systems, including chiller controls and variable frequency drives.
• Building envelope improvements, such as sealing windows and doors.

Other building maintenance and facility upgrades are planned at both campuses using Hospital Infrastructure Renewal Funds and annual capital investments.  

Honeywell expects to complete all upgrades by the end of 2010. Honeywell has successfully helped more than 50 other healthcare facilities in Ontario and across Canada reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. This includes projects for London Health Sciences Centre, Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Ottawa General Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Media Contact:

Beth Hall, Director, Support Services

Chatham-Kent Health Alliances
519-352-6401 ext. 6656