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Tolin identified flaws in the air-handling system control sequence that resulted in large swings in supply air temperature and overheating as the system overcompensated for deviations in temperature set points. 

This project is expected to feed over $1.5 Million back into Wildwood Casino budgets that can be used for future equipment replacements, additional energy projects, or other facility improvements.

Building Fast Facts

• $80 million construction
• 58,000 square feet
• 500+ gaming machines
• 2 restaurants, 1 bar and a coffee shop

Project Highlights

• $74,300 first-year utility savings
• 9-month payback
• 38% reduction in natural gas consumption

The Challenge

The management of Wildwood Casino, a modern Las Vegas-style gaming facility in Cripple Creek, Colorado, had some elusive thermal comfort problems. These problems were causing visitor complaints, leading to a decline in guest satisfaction. Of course, the guest experience is of paramount importance for Wildwood Casino in order to build their brand and to encourage guests to return; thermal comfort is a major component of this experience. In addition to the guest comfort issues, the casino was aware of the need to put a planned maintenance program in place to protect their investment in the building’s mechanical system by increasing the life of the equipment through preventative maintenance. Wildwood management was also hopeful there were ways to reduce the high utility costs that are characteristic of casinos in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

The Solution

In order to address these issues, Wildwood Casino turned to Tolin Mechanical for assistance. Tolin immediately began a concerted diagnostic effort to understand the building systems and target the root cause of the comfort problems. All efforts were focused on identifying a customized solution through remote and on-site monitoring, trending, mechanical code review, and a detailed analysis of comfort complaint patterns. After investigating the system operation over the first few months of the agreement, Tolin identified flaws in the air-handling system control sequence that resulted in large swings in supply air temperature and overheating as the system overcompensated for deviations in temperature set points. Disproportionate design ventilation rates contributed to the problems that resulted in the improper and inefficient operation of an otherwise modern HVAC system.

Armed with data and system-specific knowledge, the Tolin team refined a corrective scope to not only make major improvements in occupant comfort, but also greatly reduce utility consumption. An energy model was created in parallel with scope development and early financial analysis indicated an exceptionally high return on investment. Soon after approval from Wildwood management, the Tolin team implemented air-side mechanical and control modifications to tune the system for more even temperature control and provide demand-based ventilation based on real-time occupancy. Project performance was tracked for one year with a weather-adjusted utility analysis and ongoing control monitoring.

After one year of performance, the utility data has proven an unprecedented 38% reduction in natural gas consumption at the meter in addition to the estimated electric savings. In total, Wildwood Casino saved $74,300 in utilities in the first year after implementation, which recovered the project cost in less than 9 months. Over the 15 years of estimated remaining service life for the HVAC system, this project is expected to feed over $1.5 Million back into Wildwood Casino budgets that can be used for future equipment replacements, additional energy projects, or other facility improvements. Wildwood has logged the fewest comfort complaints on record which have contributed to a discernible growth in market share during the performance period.

About The Client

Wildwood Casino is located in historic Cripple Creek, Colorado where a century ago, those seeking wealth and fortune set out to strike it rich by mining for gold. Today the community is rich in history and character with Wildwood Casino giving the old-fashioned streets of this quaint mining town a modern touch, while still holding true to what brought folks here 100 years ago - wealth and fortune.

How Can We Help Your Business Grow?

Established in 1948 in Denver, Colorado, Tolin Mechanical provides a full suite of services related to technical, mechanical and energy systems. Tolin has Colorado offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Silverthorne; Arizona offices in Phoenix and Tucson; and a Mid-Atlantic office in Washington, D.C.