Roy Haller
by Roy W. Haller
A short-term rehabilitation center offering specialized medical services, Apple Rehab Laurel Woods recently engaged in a strategic plan to improve its overall energy performance. The company sought cost-effective measures to reduce energy usage and deliver long-term financial savings while enhancing the quality of care.
Apple Rehab Laurel Woods
With 26 locations in two states, Apple Rehab is Connecticut’s largest short-term rehabilitation company and prides itself on being progressive and forward thinking. Laurel Woods, the company’s East Haven location, completed an energy-efficiency overhaul on the 62,000sf complex, that houses physical, occupational, and speech language therapies, highly-skilled nursing care, and physician-driven programs.
Collaborating with The United Illuminating Company (UI), an administrator of Energize Connecticut programs, Laurel Woods assessed opportunities to improve efficiencies of maintenance, design, and operation. Offering technical guidance and financial resources, UI helped develop a feasible plan of action that would positively affect Laurel Wood’s bottom line.
View of Laurel Woods interior
High-impact improvements were identified and implemented throughout the 120-bed facility, including lighting and kitchen motor control upgrades. Through Energize Connecticut’s Small Business Energy Advantage program, Laurel Woods also was able to bring in an authorized contractor, JK Energy Solutions, to help assist throughout the installation process.
The inefficient fluorescent lighting system of the entire complex was upgraded to high-efficiency LED technology. Long-lasting LEDs not only require far less maintenance, but they use less energy, yielding an estimated $22,000 annual energy savings for Laurel Woods.
Outdated motor controls for the walk-in freezer and cooler units were upgraded, and kitchen exhaust hood ventilation controls were installed. The new control devices are able to monitor equipment usage and temperature and operate accordingly, eliminating constant operation, to create energy savings.
Through the comprehensive lighting, heating, and refrigeration upgrades, Laurel Woods will gain an estimated $38,000 in annual energy savings with an expected two-year payback period for the upgrades. Laurel Woods also secured nearly $76,000 in incentive payments through the Energy Efficiency Fund to help cover some of the project costs.
“We plan to reinvest the savings from these efforts directly back to patient care,” said Ben Schiano, administrator of Apple Rehab Laurel Woods. “For years to come, the savings can help us remain relevant in the rapidly changing healthcare environment, supporting new technology or better equipment.”
Energize Connecticut programs assist healthcare providers, senior care communities, and assisted living facilities with energy-saving solutions that will translate into direct financial benefits. The custom approach to business sustainability ensures that efficiency steps taken will support a company’s core business goals and ensure high quality of care for patients.
Energize Connecticut programs are part of an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank, the state, and local electric and gas utilities with funding from a charge on customer energy bills. Information on energy efficiency programs can be found at EnergizeCT.com or by calling 1.877.WISE.USE.
Roy W. Haller is director of commercial and industrial energy service programs at The United Illuminating Company.
