Traditionally, hospitals relied heavily on steam as their heat energy “lifeblood.” Steam was a critical medium to feed processes such as building heat, humidification, sterilization, domestic hot water, on-site laundry, labs, and kitchens.
Today, the lifeblood of hospitals is evolving to include more hot water (low-grade heat) and much less steam. This is driven by a goal of improving efficiency and reducing emissions. Low-grade heating technologies include not just the use of condensing hot water boilers but also alternatives, like heat pumps, heat recovery exchangers, and reheat chillers. As hospitals diversify heating mediums and decrease their reliance on steam, unique challenges can arise for the boiler plant. Addressing these challenges requires careful attention, both in terms of the application and operation.