Margaret Mary Health Cancer Center
Margaret Mary Health Cancer Center
CMTA, a Legence company, was selected as the MEP engineer for the pre-design of a new replacement hospital for Margaret Mary Health.
The Central Plant Geothermal Conversion project is the healthcare system's first step towards achieving energy efficiency while reducing their carbon footprint.
The project involved the removal of a 210-ton air cooled chiller and the installation of 68 geothermal wells at 300 feet deep. The installation of three 60 ton 6-pipe Water Furnace Tru Climate Modules not only reduces the usage of boilers for below freezing conditions but also efficiently heats the facility using the heat pump modules even when outside air temperatures drop as low as 25 degrees. The adoption of geothermal technology provides a more sustainable energy solution, insulation from energy price volatility, and an opportunity for cost savings.
As one of the first targeted healthcare projects to apply for federal clean energy funding, the new facility received $413,046 in federal clean energy tax credits, resulting in a four to five-year Return on Investment, an 80% reduction in energy costs, and a projected $220,000 in utility cost savings.
The project required a high-performance, energy-efficient HVAC system to serve a critical healthcare facility with outpatient and cancer treatment spaces, while reducing dependence on natural gas and improving reliability during extreme weather events.
The goals were to:
- Replace outdated HVAC infrastructure, including a 210-ton air-cooled chiller, with a more energy-efficient and reliable system.
- Ensure consistent power and thermal comfort for vulnerable cancer patients, especially during extreme weather events.
- Implement a system that significantly reduces natural gas consumption and lowers operational costs.
- Leverage federal clean energy tax credits and utility savings to improve ROI and reduce capital burden.
- Improve facility resilience and ensure uninterrupted delivery of care, particularly chemotherapy treatment schedules.
CMTA designed and implemented a geothermal HVAC system tailored to the energy needs of Margaret Mary Health’s Outpatient & Cancer Center, ensuring both operational reliability and long-term cost savings.
The team implemented high-performance strategies, including:
- Removal of a 210-ton air-cooled chiller and installation of 68 geothermal wells at a depth of 300 feet to enable ground-source heating and cooling
- Installation of three 60-ton, 6-pipe Water Furnace Tru Climate Modules to replace traditional boiler systems and provide efficient year-round thermal comfort—even in outdoor temperatures as low as 25°F
- Integration of high-efficiency heat pump modules to minimize boiler use and improve system performance in below-freezing conditions
- Leverage of $413,046 in federal clean energy tax credits to achieve a five-year return on investment
- Improved facility resiliency to ensure uninterrupted patient care, particularly for critical cancer treatment services during power outages or severe weather events
$413,046 in federal clean energy tax credits
CMTA's knowledge of the Inflation Reduction Act guided us in our decision-making process to convert our central plant to geothermal in a budget-friendly way. Their high-performance healthcare design expertise introduced operational possibilities that have transformed our facilities.
Our success depends on our clients’ success.
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