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Healthcare
Fort Wayne, IN
Installed 2023
32% Energy Savings

Hopebridge Autism Center: Case Study

How Automata BMS transformed operations at a specialized healthcare facility, improving comfort for patients with sensory sensitivities while reducing energy costs.

Hopebridge Autism Center

Client Overview

Hopebridge Autism Center is a specialized healthcare facility providing therapy and support services for children with autism spectrum disorder. The Fort Wayne location spans approximately 20,000 square feet and includes multiple therapy rooms, sensory spaces, and administrative areas.

Facility Type

Specialized Healthcare

Location

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Size

20,000 square feet

The Challenge

Hopebridge Autism Center faced unique challenges in maintaining an optimal environment for their patients. Children with autism often have heightened sensory sensitivities, making consistent temperature and air quality essential for effective therapy. The facility needed a solution that could:

Temperature Consistency

Maintain precise temperature control across multiple therapy rooms with varying occupancy levels and usage patterns.

Energy Efficiency

Reduce energy costs without compromising the comfort and specific environmental needs of patients with sensory sensitivities.

User-Friendly Controls

Provide simple controls for staff to make adjustments when needed, without requiring technical expertise.

System Reliability

Ensure reliable operation of critical HVAC systems with minimal downtime, as environmental disruptions can significantly impact therapy sessions.

The Solution

Automata BMS implemented a comprehensive building management system that integrated all of the center's HVAC equipment. The solution included:

Air Handling Units

Three AHUs with precise temperature and humidity control, integrated with occupancy sensors for zone-specific comfort management.

Equipment Controlled:

  • AHU1 - Main Therapy Areas
  • AHU2 - Administrative Areas
  • AHU3 - Sensory Rooms

Boiler System

Dual boiler system with lead-lag control for efficient heating and redundancy, ensuring continuous comfort even during maintenance.

Equipment Controlled:

  • Primary Heating Boiler
  • Secondary Heating Boiler
  • Hot Water Circulation Pumps

DX Chillers

Two Trane DX chillers with intelligent staging based on cooling demand, optimizing energy use while maintaining precise temperature control.

Equipment Controlled:

  • Primary DX Chiller
  • Secondary DX Chiller
  • Chilled Water Circulation

Advanced Control Features

Occupancy-Based Control

Room sensors detect occupancy and automatically adjust temperature and ventilation rates, optimizing comfort and energy use.

Scheduling

Intelligent scheduling system aligns HVAC operation with the center's therapy schedule, reducing energy use during unoccupied periods.

Analytics Dashboard

Real-time monitoring and historical data analysis help identify optimization opportunities and track performance metrics.

Demand Response

Smart load management reduces energy consumption during peak demand periods without compromising comfort.

Dashboard Interface

User-Friendly Interface

The Automata BMS dashboard provides staff with an intuitive interface for monitoring and adjusting environmental conditions. Simple controls and visual indicators make it easy for non-technical users to make adjustments when needed.

The Results

The implementation of Automata BMS at Hopebridge Autism Center delivered significant improvements in both operational efficiency and therapeutic environment quality:

Energy Efficiency

The center achieved a 32% reduction in energy costs through intelligent scheduling, demand-based operation, and optimized setpoints.

Previous Usage32% Reduction

Comfort Improvement

Temperature variance between rooms was reduced from ±3°F to ±0.5°F, creating a more consistent and comfortable environment for patients.

Previous Comfort85% Improvement

Improved Therapy Outcomes

Staff reported that the consistent environmental conditions contributed to more productive therapy sessions and reduced sensory-related disruptions.

Reduced Maintenance

Predictive maintenance alerts and optimized equipment operation reduced emergency service calls by 45% and extended equipment life.

Data-Driven Decisions

Analytics provided insights that helped optimize room scheduling based on environmental preferences and therapy requirements.

Sarah Johnson

"The Automata BMS system has been transformative for our center. The consistent environment has made a noticeable difference for our patients, and the energy savings have exceeded our expectations. The system is intuitive enough that our staff can make adjustments when needed, but smart enough that we rarely have to. It's been a perfect fit for our specialized needs."

Sarah Johnson

Facilities Director, Hopebridge Autism Center

ROI Analysis

Initial Investment

$85,000

Complete BMS implementation

Annual Savings

$27,500

Energy and maintenance costs

Payback Period

3.1 Years

Faster than industry average

The Automata BMS implementation at Hopebridge Autism Center delivered a strong return on investment, with the system paying for itself in just over three years. When factoring in the qualitative improvements in therapy outcomes and patient comfort, the total value delivered significantly exceeds the direct financial benefits.

Implementation Timeline

1

Initial Assessment

Comprehensive site survey and needs analysis to identify specific requirements for the autism therapy environment.

January 2023
2

System Design

Custom BMS design with specialized zoning and control strategies for therapy spaces with sensory considerations.

February 2023
3

Installation

Phased implementation to minimize disruption to therapy sessions, with after-hours work for critical systems.

March-April 2023
4

Commissioning & Training

System testing, optimization, and staff training on the user interface and basic adjustments.

May 2023
5

Optimization & Fine-Tuning

Data-driven adjustments based on actual usage patterns and feedback from therapy staff.

June-July 2023

Ready to Transform Your Facility?

Learn how Automata BMS can deliver similar results for your specialized healthcare facility or other building environment.