Gundersen Lutheran Health System is a regional hospital based in Lacrosse, Wisconsin serving communities in three states. In 2012, Fast Company magazine touted the facility as the nation’s “most energy efficient hospital,“ citing its laudable landfill, gas, wind farm and bio-gas energy initiatives.
Presently, Gundersen Lutheran is pursuing an ambitious plan to become the nation’s first energy-independent hospital system by 2014, saving the organization hundreds of thousands in energy costs annually.
SMS is proud to play a key role in the hospital’s mission to boost its energy efficiency.
Gundersen Lutheran employs SMS’ next-generation TECH-FITT® steam traps engineered to overcome the problems that hamper conventional steam traps in high-demand settings.
The facility’s conversion to the innovative TECH-FITT® traps occurred in three-phases over a five-year period ending in 2008.
The hospital complex has been equipped with about 740 TECH-FITT® traps handling steam in the hospital’s distribution lines, air handling units, heat exchangers, humidifiers, unit heaters, and other equipment ranging from 5 pounds per square inch (psig) to 100 psig.
The hospital’s choice of innovative TECH-FITT® traps was based on its need for both significant reliability and durability.
By employing TECH-FITT® traps by SMS, the hospital can focus its resources on important patient-facing activities while pursuing its quest toward becoming the country’s first energy neutral hospital, a meaningful step in reducing the nation’s healthcare costs.
