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.
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.
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.
Comfort Improvement
Temperature variance between rooms was reduced from ±3°F to ±0.5°F, creating a more consistent and comfortable environment for patients.
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.
"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
Initial Assessment
Comprehensive site survey and needs analysis to identify specific requirements for the autism therapy environment.
System Design
Custom BMS design with specialized zoning and control strategies for therapy spaces with sensory considerations.
Installation
Phased implementation to minimize disruption to therapy sessions, with after-hours work for critical systems.
Commissioning & Training
System testing, optimization, and staff training on the user interface and basic adjustments.
Optimization & Fine-Tuning
Data-driven adjustments based on actual usage patterns and feedback from therapy staff.
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- Hospitals & Medical Clinics
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