Cutting Energy Use in Hospitals
Hospitals are notorious energy wasters, using as much as 2.5 times as much energy as any other commercial building of a comparable size.
That energy wasting is most evident when it comes time to pay the bill: a hospital’s average yearly energy bill can hit between $1 million to $3 million, depending on its location and size, according to Energy Manager Today.
Healthcare facilities can save energy through a number of low-cost measures, resulting in more energy-efficient buildings.
When a hospital becomes more energy efficient, the organization saves money, while preventing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the air quality in the communities in which they operate, according to Energy Star, the energy efficiency government-backed program.
Energy Star recommends these measures to start:
- Track and measure energy use
- Routinely check that equipment is working efficiently, and as designed
- Retrofit lighting, if it’s inefficient
- Adjust hospital thermostats based on occupancy needs, the time of day and during seasonal changes
- Educate hospital staff about how they can affect energy use
In addition, Energy Star recommends other cost-effective investments including working with the hospital’s energy service providers to come up with a plan to improve energy performance. A facility can also invest in purchasing Energy Star-qualified appliances as well as more efficient HVAC systems.
Recently, Energy Manager Today highlighted a study called Targeting 100!, which was conducted by a research team at the University of Washington.
The study identified ways to reduce energy consumption by an average of 62% by integrating mechanical, architectural and central plant systems in newly built hospitals.
Researchers used energy-reduction design solutions such as daylight shade controls, thermal energy storage, vacant room sensors and high insulation values in walls and windows. A hospital constructed following the guidelines of Targeting 100! could save between $500,000 and $800,000 a year in energy costs. You can find out more about Targeting 100! here.
As far as energy waste reduction goes, Forbes.com contributor William Pentland, says our number one goal should be energy efficiency through cleaner heat and power.
CHP, also referred to as cogeneration or combined heat and power systems, may offer the best economic and energy efficiency benefits, according to Pentland. The technology uses a heat engine or a power station to generate both heat and electricity at the same time, providing a high-efficiency, low-emissions source of heat and power.
Because hospitals, in particular, require energy usage in many forms including electricity, cooling, hot water and steam, and because they operate 24/7, 365 days a year, hospitals are ideal candidates for combined heat and power facilities.
Next Steps:
- Read IAQ, Building Performance: Energy Efficiency Can Affect Hospital Infection Rates
- Subscribe to our blog to receive the full blog series via email and stay informed about the latest HVAC news and insight.
- Stay up to date on facility maintenance tools such as chiller tube cleaners, boiler tube cleaners, hose/pipe cleaners, descaler systems, industrial vacuums, commercial pressure washers, and drain cleaners.