By Healthcare Facilities Today

Kuakini Medical Center expects to cut it’s monthly electricity bill by about 25 percent, saving $1 million annually, according to an article on the Honolulu Civil Beat website. 

The energy overhaul, including a new central air conditioning and heat system and lighting upgrades, is expected to cost $5.8 million, but will be paid for via the energy cost savings. 

While it doesn’t get as much attention as the state’s renewable energy push, energy efficiency is a major part of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, which requires that electricity use be reduced by 30 percent by 2030, according to the article.

The project is scheduled for completion in September and is expected to provide 3.5 million kWh of electricity savings and 11,000 therms of natural gas savings. That translates into an expected annual savings of more than $1 million a year.

"In this project, the hospital will use some of the additional savings to pay for non-energy system improvements, such as an upgrade of the pumps in its fire sprinkler system. That helps Kuakini put its operating budget to medical services thus investing in providing outstanding health care services to the people of Hawaii.” said Duane Ashimine, president and COO of Energy Industries Corp.

Read the article.