By Healthcare Facilities Today

Advances in the energy efficiency of medical equipment can significantly cut plug loads in hospitals. Some equipment can even quickly pay for itself in energy savings, says an article in Healthcare Design.

Medical equipment in a hospital makes up 18 percent of the facility's energy use, according to the article. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy called out medical equipment as a major area of potential energy savings, and product manufacturers have responded with equipment that conserves energy while also improving patient care.

The article cites MRI and CT scanners as an example of this trend. New generations of this equipment are smaller, lighter, and have scan times that are up to 75 percent faster than legacy equipment — which reduces radiation doses and energy demands.

It's not only the big-ticket items that have improved efficiencies. Steam sterilizers, fume hoods, refrigerators and ice machines are all available with improved energy consumption profiles.

The article suggests equipment's lifetime energy use be factored into purchasing decisions. Also, an equipment energy audit should be conducted. In the aggregate, minor equipment in a hospital that is heavily used may be a greater energy consumer than major equipment that is less frequently used.

Read the article.