West Oaks Hospital

Overview 

West Oaks Hospital, part of Universal Health Services (UHS), is a 24-hour inpatient facility in Houston, Texas. 

Since 2022, Southland Industries has partnered with the hospital to provide mechanical, electrical, and controls services, helping ensure reliable building systems and improved operational efficiency. 

Our Approach 

This project is part of a multi-phased initiative to modernize West Oaks Hospital's HVAC systems. Phase 2 focused on replacing 22 rooftop units (RTUs) that were over 20 years old and upgrading the facility's existing, non-functional HVAC controls with a new Carrier i-Vu system. We coordinated closely with the hospital's operations team to plan, schedule, and execute the work with minimal disruption to patient care. 

Our team removed and set all 22 RTUs in just 2 days, while simultaneously connecting electrical systems and performing equipment startup over a total of 3 days. Temporary thermostats were used to maintain cooling throughout the facility. Following the RTU changeout, we removed existing controls, control panels, and wiring, and installed Carrier i-Vu controls across all 76 units in the facility. The full system installation, testing, and staff training were completed in four weeks. 

This rapid turnaround was achieved through detailed pre-planning, quality craftsmanship, and custom installation timing with careful field team loading. Prior to this project, the hospital spent $1.5 million over 2 years on HVAC repairs. Following the upgrades, remaining unit repairs are tracking at approximately $300,000. The new controls also enabled remote monitoring, allowing the hospital to reduce onsite personnel by one overnight service technician. 

Result 

The phase two upgrades restored reliable operation to the hospital's HVAC systems, improved energy efficiency, and reduced emergency repair needs. The quick, coordinated execution minimized disruption to the 24-hour inpatient facility while enabling operational cost savings and improved control capabilities. 

Success at West Oaks Hospital has led to additional opportunities at three other UHS locations in the Houston area, including Cypress Creek Hospital, Kingwood Pines Hospital, and the Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire.