A prescription for medical facility energy management

A goal of energy productivity can not only reduce energy costs, but also improve energy reliability and a hospital's long-term financial health

By Healthcare Facilities Today


In a typical hospital, lighting, heating and hot water represent between 61 and 79 percent of total energy use depending on climate, making those systems the low-hanging targets for energy savings, according to an article on the Healthcare Construction and Operations website.

Turning off the lights, more efficient HVAC and medical equipment, green roofs, water conservation and high-efficiency lighting systems all lower energy costs, but they also have a floor as to how low energy costs can be reduced, the article said.

Continuous conservation and efficiency improvements are important quick-fix elements in energy cost reduction but may not be sufficient to effectively manage a hospital’s long-term energy and profitability strategy. LED bulbs and more efficient equipment reduce electricity demand don't necessarily make a medical facility more energy productive.

To measure energy productivity, many facilities operators measure the cost per surface area or square foot. If a hospital consumes six watts per square foot, would it be able to reduce that by half by implementing more efficient HVAC and light bulbs? Probably not, according to the article. 

Geisinger Health System, Danville, Penn., grew it's facility’s square feet and still reduce it's overall energy bill by focusing on energy productivity, the article said.

Geisinger set out to lower the energy bill for its 2.6 million-square-foot main campus. It developed a comprehensive energy management plan that included participation in energy markets, the installation of a cogeneration plant, a combustion turbine to make electricity and a waste heat recovery boiler along with a combination of other energy productivity strategies.

Read the article.

 

 

 

 



January 8, 2014


Topic Area: Energy and Power


Recent Posts

How Backup Power Needs Vary Across Healthcare Settings

Manufacturers discuss how evolving codes, technologies and care settings shape healthcare backup power strategies.


Flexible Design Strategies Help OhioHealth Maximize Clinical Space

Doing more with less was key to the renovated facility’s design.


New Bass Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases Opens

The new space not only offers more exam rooms but also features 15 private infusion bays to allow privacy for all patients and their caregivers during treatment.


Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Daytona Beach Opens

Hospital amenities include all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym featuring advanced rehabilitation technologies, an activities of daily living suite and more.


What Healthcare Facilities Can Learn from a $49 Million Window Failure

A major window system failure at the University of Iowa’s Children’s Hospital sparked a costly replacement project – and a $49.4 million arbitration win.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.