Gillan & Hartmann has been at the forefront of energy conservation since the early ’70s, starting with the oil embargo and subsequent federal governmental mandate for energy reduction. Sustainable design principles are an inherent part of our design philosophy, with building designs incorporating energy conservation, including energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, alternative technologies, geothermal, and cogeneration. Our designs are mindful of waste recycling within the facility such as heated/chilled air, water, and materials as well as the creation of healthy and user-friendly interior environments for air quality, lighting, plumbing, and fire protection. With today’s alternative energy sources and utilization, we can provide the appropriate assessment for efficient buildings and campus-wide systems with the following engineering capabilities:
Energy Audits
Building Modeling
Computer Simulation
Utility Master Planning/Best Use Analysis
Interstate Bulk Utility Analysis
Evaluation of Returns on Investment (ROI)
George Washington Carver Science Center
Cheyney University, Cheyney, PA
Following assessment of conditions at the Science Center, it was concluded it would be more functional and cost-effective to design and build a new facility as opposed to renovating the original building. The first new academic building on the Cheyney Campus in more than 40 years, this 43,184 sq. ft., state-of-the-art Science Facility features a Planetarium, laboratories, interactive classrooms/lecture halls, faculty and administrative offices. Design included: new HVAC system, complete building automation and laboratory Direct Digital Control (DDC) system, rainwater harvesting, lab exhaust air energy recovery, high efficient boilers, upgraded normal and emergency electrical power distribution systems, enhanced plumbing/drainage and gas systems for laboratory functions, and code compliant fire protection system. The Science Center earned Silver LEED Certification.
Williamsport Area Middle School
Williamsport, PA
A massive overhaul of the Williamsport Area Middle School resulted in completion of LEED Silver Certification. The building’s historic 106,500 sq. ft. structure was retained and completely renovated, and a new 55,500 sq. ft. addition will accommodate seventh and eighth grade classes as well as the District Service Center. Since energy conservation is a high priority, the HVAC systems are geothermal heat-exchange based systems, combined with air-to-air heat recovery systems on the ventilation air systems. This project additionally earned the ForeverGreen Award, celebrating sustainability built environments in Central Pennsylvania in which green practices are mainstream.
Morris Union Developmental Learning Center
Warren, NJ
New 168,000 sq. ft. special school serves children with autism from 24 school districts, providing a caring and productive environment to further their educational and socialization opportunities. The geothermal HVAC system provides atmospheric comfort and quiet operations conducive to the learning process, and uses a third less energy than traditional heating and cooling unit ventilation system. In addition to life cycle savings, our design captured $140,000 of SmartStart Rebates. The design was critically reviewed and endorsed by both the owner’s commissioning agent and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA). The school, which serves up to 250 children with autism from 24 school districts, contains: classrooms, learning labs, atrium, health/fitness facilities, cafeteria/diner, kitchen, administrative offices, storage and mechanical/electrical rooms. A unique feature is “Mainstreet”, a 30-foot wide, sky-lit, central walkway with buildings typically common on real main streets. This design permits students’ development of independence and self-worth in a “real-life” monitored setting from a very young age, making transition to the world outside the facility less intimidating and more productive.
Rodale Press “Green” Building
Emmaus, PA
This three-story office, 120,000 sq. ft. building was designed as a state-of-the-art “Green” building with a focus on energy and resource efficiency. Features incorporated included: Embodied Energy Analysis, Daylighting, Optimized Thermal Shell, Ice Storage, Dedicated Ventilation for Indoor Air Quality, Environmentally Responsible Materials, Design for Conversion to Multi-Family when useful office life is over. Key mechanical and electrical components included: Completely integral Direct Digital Control System (DDC) with energy management and monitoring capabilities; filtered and conditioned ventilation air delivered directly to each office through a single, dedicated outlet; energy conservation techniques such as thermal storage, energy management, variable volume air/water flow, and high efficiency condensing boilers promote efficient use of utilities. Mechanical systems include: variable speed drives, digital controls, thermal storage, and dedicated ventilation systems, low NOx boilers, propylene glycol, and R-134 refrigerant to minimize environmental pollution; a state-of-the-art fire alarm system with smoke evacuation and sprinkler systems for occupant safety.
St. Joseph’s Hospital Cogeneration Plant
Paterson, NJ
A facility inspection and comprehensive analysis of energy usage were performed to develop a complete energy management and reduction program for St. Joseph’s Hospital resulting in energy conservation measures including: new 1,000 ton electrical chiller; two, 1100 kilowatt cogeneration systems and new boiler plant building addition; oxygen trim and blow down economizers to existing boilers; chilled water system modifications to two-way valve operations.
Total savings resulting from these measures are:
- Electric kwh – 17,914,300
- Electric kw – 1,658,800
- Gas Therms – 910,200
Technical energy audit, planning and design of two 1,100 kilowatt cogeneration systems resulted in a savings of $1,500,000 per year, with a four-year Return on Investment (ROI).
Fair Acres Geriatric Center Cogeneration Plant
Lima, PA
A comprehensive energy audit of the Fair Acres Geriatric Center, an 18-building, 60-acre complex was conducted to determine the optimum method of air-conditioning all patient-care buildings on the site. Based on this thorough physical analysis of buildings and equipment and a life cycle economic analysis of alternatives, Energy Conservation Measures implemented include: planning and design of a new 450 kw cogeneration (CHP) plant resulted in an annual savings of $225,600 per year with 3.3 year Return on Investment (ROI); design of campus-wide air conditioning system; campus-wide ATC upgrades; Electrical Systems modernization.
Mainland Regional High School District
Linwood, NJ
This 50-year building addition and modernization project includes: a new Science Wing Addition, consisting of seven classrooms including two science labs to provide more technology and space for demonstrations; 764 kW solar photovoltaic system; new Physical Plant consisting of exterior air cooled chiller, boiler plant, chilled water pump house with state-of-the-art Direct Digital Control Building Management System; new fire alarm system; newly renovated gymnasium with upgrades to storage/locker rooms and nurse’s area; roof replacement and installation of solar panels; and a newly renovated auditorium, gymnasium, and pool at this 300,000 sq. ft. facility. This project is currently seeking Silver LEED Certification. SmartStart rebates totaled $98,000.
Additional Representative Projects:
Building HVAC System Modeling
- Philadelphia Prison Systems, House of Detention, Philadelphia, PA
- Chester County Prison, West Chester, PA
- Christ the Teacher School, Glasgow, DE
- Morris Union School for Autistic Children, Warren, NJ
- Rodale Press Keystone Building, Emmaus, PA
Energy Audit Resulting in Design Implementation Projects
- Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA
- Chester County Hospital, West Chester, PA
- The County of Chester, West Chester, PA – County-wide
- Fair Acres Geriatric Center, Lima, PA – Facility-wide
- Pfizer Animal Health, West Chester, PA
- Piscataway School District, Piscataway, NJ – District-wide
- Alloy Surfaces, Chester Township, PA
- St. James and St. Joseph’s Hospitals, Newark, NJ
- U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center, Lakehurst, NJ
- U.S. Naval Facilities – Philadelphia, Warminster, and Willow Grove, PA
- VAMC Wilkes Barre, Wilkes Barre, PA
- West Chester University, West Chester, PA
Energy/Utility Master Plan/Best Use Analysis Projects
- Delaware State Hospital, New Castle, DE
- Delaware Valley College of Agriculture, Doylestown, PA
- Doylestown Hospital, Doylestown, PA
- Friends Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
- Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA
Sustainable Design Projects
- Fort Necessity/National Road Interpretive Center, Farmington, PA
- Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA
- New Visitor’s and Educational Center, Old Economy Village, Ambridge, PA
- Greater Newark Conservancy, Newark, NJ
- Limerick Center for Sustainability and Watershed Education, Limerick, PA
Geothermal, Co-generation, Total Energy-Planning/Design Projects
- Egg Harbor School District, NJ
- Ft. Necessity/National Road Interpretive Center, Farmington, PA
- The Hill School, Pottstown, PA
- Kearsley Retirement Community, Philadelphia, PA
- Morris Union School for Autistic Children, Warren, NJ
- Old Economy Village, Ambridge, PA
- Reheis Chemical Company, Berkeley Heights, NJ
- Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
- St. Joseph Medical Center, Paterson, NJ
- Upper Freehold School District, NJ