Some projects are a constant uphill battle from the moment you step foot onsite.

Others struggle a little but eventually hit their stride. Rare are those that, with preparation, execute their plan perfectly. One of these projects is going on right now for the Rudolph-Libbe Group on the Mercy Health Expansion site.

Mercy Health is a model job site.

First, though, we need the background story.

We have been fortunate to work with Rudolph on this growing and changing site for the past 5 years and Project Engineer Corey Bettenbrock is no stranger to our climate systems. We first worked with Corey on St. Vincent's Hospital in downtown Toledo where we linked hydronic exchangers to the hospital's permanent boiler system. This process is dollar-for-dollar the best way to heat a winter job site. Not only does it produce clean, drheat (ideal building conditions), but also operates off the host's excess fuel supply. This worked so well Corey invited us back to do the same on future projects, including Mercy Health.

Rudolph Libbe had already found success linking exchangers to a permanent heat system.

While Rudolph Libbe worked on one expansion they were also in negotiations for another large addition to the structure.

Corey knew that insulation was key to effective heat.

Corey met with Tony Smith of VM Systems to finalize the design for the addition: 3-stories, 27,000 sqf/floor. When Corey learned that the design included a boiler system he knew exactly how he wanted to heat the project.

As work progressed this summer the team focused on enclosing the shell, applying veneer, and placing window units.Buttoning up a building in this way is critical to proper climate control and is often overlooked. Not so on this project. Ever on the ball, Corey's team installed both fittings and exchangers ahead of time so the job site would be cold-weather ready.

Fast forward to today.

No heavy coats here!

Outside? A 31 degree day with a snowy sleet mix. Inside? Workers hard at work in T-shirts. With low humidity and average temperatures hovering around 68 degrees inside, this crew has the ideal environment for finishing out the large structure. Moreover, by operating off the boiler system Rudolph-Libbe is achieving massive heat savings. This wouldn't be possible if the team had not planned so far in advance or had not followed through with their plan. Congratulations to Corey and the whole Rudolph-Libbe team! Your accomplishment is simply amazing. Thank you for letting us be a part of it.

Which is more productive? Workers moving freely in T-shirts or shuffling from heat source to heat source, bundled and shivering? Contact us today to transform your winter job site.