Manifold Building
You’ve heard that the new Sherman Hospital’s 15-acre lake not only provides beautiful views from the patient rooms, but it helps to heat and cool the entire hospital, saving $1 million in energy costs per year. And you know it’s a pretty big deal–it’s the largest geothermal system in Illinois and one of only 2 currently heating and cooling medical centers in the US. But you might not know the answer to the most basic question about the lake: How exactly does it work?
What is Geothermal Energy?
Pressure Gauges
Geothermal energy is energy that is derived from the temperature of the earth. The earth absorbs 50 percent of all solar energy and traps it as heat just below the frost line. Using a heat pump, this natural and renewable resource trapped below the earth’s surface is transformed into a harnessable form of energy. This energy –geothermal energy– provides buildings with a dependable, eco-friendly and economic heating and cooling system.
The tools that make it happen:
Lake Loop Pipes
- The temperature at the bottom of the lake—a constant 55 degree F in all climates. The ground absorbs almost 50% of the sun’s heat as it hits the earth’s surface. Regardless of the season, this solar energy maintains a relatively constant 55 degree temperature at the bottom of the lake, around 17-18 feet deep.
- A lake loop heat-pump system under the water, including 185 miles of pipes that are placed at the bottom of the lake to harness the energy. The pipes hold a heat-absorbing solution, and the heat pumps move heat from one place to another.
- A “manifold” building that houses over 170 pressure gauges connected to the pipes. This piping is channeled into supply and return pipes that are run to the building and fan out to individual heat pumps.
- Heat pump units housed just outside patient rooms that allow each room to be temperature controlled individually.
In the winter, the 55 degree temperature at the bottom of the lake is absorbed into a heat-absorbing fluid that constantly runs through the pipes. That heat is harnessed from the pipes through the pressure gauges, and pulled into the building. There it is concentrated and released into the building at a higher temperature. The heat is distributed through a conventional duct system as warm air. In the summer, the process is reversed–the heat from inside the hospital is pushed back down and stored in the cooler earth. Like in a refrigerator, cold air is not pushed into the hospital–rather, the heat is removed from the air.
Learn more about Sherman’s geothermal lake.
8 Aerial Photographs of the New Hospital
November 3, 2009
Recently, our aerial photographer got the chance to shoot the new Sherman Hospital as the sun was setting. The coming darkness brought out the interior lighting of the hospital, which gave it a new look that we hadn’t seen before. The shots turned out great, so we wanted to share them with you!
The new hospital opens on December 15th, just six short weeks from now. Be on the lookout for details on the December 6th Community Open House Celebration, in which we’ll celebrate the new hospital with food & drink and public tours.
7 Interior Photos of the New Hospital
October 20, 2009
The new hospital opens in less than two months. With the grand opening approaching quickly, the new building is really taking shape, both inside and out. Here are seven new photos of the interior of the hospital at Randall and Big Timber Roads.
Tree House Gift Shop
Shot of the new atrium (Tree of Life in the background)
Dining area just outside the new cafe
Food court-style kitchen
Recovery
Operating Room
Emergency department
For the latest news, press releases and photos on the new hospital, be sure to visit the brand new Future of Sherman page!
The New Geothermal Lake Page
October 6, 2009
Geothermal Energy is harnessed at the new Sherman Hospital
One of the main features of the brand new Future of Sherman website is the dedicated page solely devoted to the geothermal lake. The lake will use geothermal energy to heat and cool the new hospital, which will save around $1 million per year in energy costs. It’s the largest geothermal system in Illinois and one of only two systems heating and cooling a medical center in the entire United States.
To check out the brand new page, either click on the image above or click here. The new hospital opens in just 70 days, so be sure to check out the new features before it opens!
The Future is Now: Previewing the New Sherman Hospital
October 1, 2009
This article was taken from the Fall 2009 Destinations newsletter. To download a copy for yourself, all you need to do is click here!
For more than a century, Sherman Hospital has provided outstanding healthcare and service to the community. In just a few months, we will begin another chapter in our history and continue our mission of service at Randall and Big Timber roads in Elgin— home of the new Sherman Hospital.
“The new hospital will enable Sherman to better serve patients, build upon Sherman’s reputation as the area’s leader in healthcare services and allow us to provide quality healthcare well into the future,” says Rick Floyd, President and CEO of Sherman Health.
With 255 private patient rooms, everything about the new hospital is designed to make patients and their families as comfortable as possible. The facility features beautiful views of our 15-acre lake and forest preserve, while indoors the space is bright and open to better promote healing. Other features of the new hospital include the following:
- Reduced ER waits: The new emergency department will offer in-room check-in for reduced waiting times and greater patient comfort.
- Private baths, sleeper sofas: All patient rooms come with a private bathroom; many rooms include a sleeper sofa for family and friends.
- FREE Wi-Fi: Patients and families can stay connected with FREE wireless Internet access.
- New food options: Families and visitors can relax in the family lounge, enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks on every unit, and eat a healthy meal in our food-court style cafeteria.
- Comprehensive cancer care: The new stand-alone Cancer Care Center will offer a range of treatment options, including radiation oncology.
- Reduced energy costs: An environmentally friendly geothermal lake will help heat and cool the hospital, saving more than $1 million each year in energy costs while promoting green initiatives in the community.
- New immediate care center: The current Sherman Hospital at 934 Center Street in Elgin will be transformed into an immediate care center, which can treat minor injuries such as burns, broken bones, cuts, sprains and more.
Enlarged Space, Enhanced Healing: The new Sherman Hospital also features larger spaces to help doctors, nurses and staff work more efficiently. It will also help patients and visitors feel more comfortable, with a soothing environment that will boost healing. Among the expansions:
- Operating Room: At the new hospital, each OR room is more than 600 square feet, compared to only 400 square feet at the old hospital.
- Patient Rooms: At the new hospital, each private patient room is about 280 square feet, including a bathroom. At the Center Street campus, a typical double room was only about 215 square feet in size.
- Emergency Department: At the new hospital, the larger ER is more than 27,000 square feet. On Center Street, the ER was only 12,000 square feet.
The new Sherman Hospital opens December 15th. To read all kinds of new information on the progress, click here to visit the brand new, fully redesigned Future of Sherman website!
