Springfield Hospital to install solar hot water system

The Departments of Engineering and Development at Springfield Hospital are joining forces to install solar hot water at the hospital — the first ever at a Vermont hospital.
http://www.eagletimes.com/news/2015-11-18/Local/Springfield_Hospital_to_install_solar_hot_water_sy.html

Springfield Hospital to install solar hot water system Mark Blanchard, director of Engineering, and Larry Kraft, director of Development, survey the future site of a solar hot water project on the roof at Springfield Hospital. — COURTESY Mark Blanchard, director of Engineering, and Larry Kraft, director of Development, survey the future site of a solar hot water project on the roof at Springfield Hospital. — COURTESY SPRINGFIELD — The Departments of Engineering and Development at Springfield Hospital are joining forces to install solar hot water at the hospital — the first ever at a Vermont hospital. Springfield Hospital has already been recognized as an Energy Star rated hospital — one of 200 in the nation, and one of only two in the state of Vermont. This project will harness the energy of the sun to heat the many thousands of gallons of water that the hospital uses, as well as reduce the use of fuel oil and save money. The installation will lie flat on the roof and will be minimally visible from the street. Like previous projects at Springfield Hospital, including the sidewalk, front entrance, and courtyard garden projects, it will be paid for entirely with donations. “Hot water is a valuable commodity in hospitals and health centers,” said Larry Kraft, director of Development for Springfield Hospital. “It takes about 10,000 gallons of fuel oil annually to heat the water we use at our hospital.” The campaign to raise the funds to complete the project is underway. The cost of the project is estimated to be $85,000. If an additional $25,000 is raised, a solar hot water system will also be installed at Springfield Health Center in the 100 River St. building. Contributions can be made at the Hospital’s website or by contacting Larry Kraft at 885-7644, lkraft@springfieldmed .org