Terumo Medical discovers an energy-efficient remedy for an ailing HVAC system

As one of the world’s leading medical manufacturers, Terumo Medical Corporation has produced innovative devices for health care professionals and their patients at its Elkton, Maryland, site since 1987. Like other companies with aging plant infrastructure, Terumo knew the time had come to replace its dated HVAC equipment with systems that were more efficient, flexible, and cost-effective.

The Opportunity

When Delmarva Power reached out to Terumo to discuss its latest energy incentives, the Elkton engineering team had already planned for the financial investment needed for the upgrades and was ready to hear more. Without missing a beat, Delmarva Power connected Terumo with the right personnel and consultants to evaluate the facility, make recommendations, develop estimates, and navigate the rebate application process.

The Upgrades

• Terumo transformed its compressed air system by replacing its five original fixed-speed air compressors with two variable frequency drive (VFD) models
• Four refrigerated air dryers were replaced with one new, high-efficiency heated desiccant air dryer
• VFDs were added to the facility’s condenser water pump motors, chilled water pumps, and hot water circulating pumps

The Benefits

• The VFD-driven machines are projected to save more than 400,000 kWh of energy each year
• By adding VFDs to the plant’s circulating water pumps, Terumo can save a substantial amount of energy by dialing back the motor speeds to match changing building loads
• Terumo eliminated a series of circulating pumps that previously added $30,000 annually to the plant’s operating expenses