Energy Efficiency is a priority at the new Outpatient Surgery Center under construction on Mullan Road in Missoula, Montana.
Missoula Bone & Joint worked closely with MMW Architects to select and detail several components to minimize energy consumption for the new outpatient surgery center. A good building envelope, energy efficient lighting and efficient mechanical systems is estimated to use 24.3% less energy than a code-minimum building. There will be 160 solar panels on the roof to offset electric consumption from the power grid. The solar system is expected to generate 13.9% of the electrical use for the building based on solar output and building energy consumption estimates.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of what this means.
Building Envelope:
- A super-insulated building envelope was specified for the project.
- Exterior walls have insulation in the stud cavities and continuous rigid insulation on the exterior.
- White roofing material and continuous insulation at the roof minimize heat transfer from interior/exterior.
- High-performing exterior windows and skylights were selected.
- All of these measures result in a building envelope that exceeds Code minimum requirements by 15%.
Lighting System:
- Energy efficient lighting and controls were selected throughout the project (LED and fluorescent fixtures).
Mechanical Systems:
- Heating is by 96% efficient condensing boilers and is via air distribution from roof top mechanical units. Each mechanical zone has a VAV box with heated and chilled water to adjust air temperature as called for in the zone.
- Ground source water wells are used for cooling. A heat exchanger in the mechanical room uses the cold water from the ground and transfers the cold temperature to glycol, which is pumped to the roof top mechanical units. Cooling is by water because it is more efficient than electric condensing units.
Solar Panels:
There will be 160 solar panels on the roof to offset electric consumption from the power grid. The solar system is expected to generate 13.9% of the electrical use for the building based on solar output and building energy consumption estimates.
The system size is 59.2kW, and Solar Plexus has estimated that it will generate 65,063 kW hours of electricity annually. To help put that in perspective, the EPA has a calculator on their website that you can use to equate 65,063 kWh/annually into some metrics that are more relatable. For example, that kW is equivalent to taking 9.8 passenger cars off the road annually or driving 112,492 miles in an average passenger car, or the equivalent to powering 8 average homes per year.
Overview of the New Outpatient Surgery Center
The new and improved surgery center will continue to provide services and care for day surgery patients having surgical procedures of the shoulder, knee, hip, hand, wrist, foot and ankle. Outpatient total joint replacement procedures and outpatient spine procedures with be added to our services as the new facility will have the capability of extending a patient stay up to 23 hours.
This two-story, 31,949 square foot, physician-owned and operated surgery center will continue to keep the patient’s care and overall experience on the forefront with four operating suites and private patient recovery suites. The patient can expect shorter wait times, continued one-on-one attention, lower costs, and the highest quality of medical and nursing care.
We look forward to taking care of your orthopedic needs.
