Philadelphia hospitals embrace energy efficiency

Three Mercy Health System hospitals are using energy-efficient methods to help Philadelphia make the EPA’s list of the top 10 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star–certified buildings in 2013, according to an article on the Healthcare Construction + Operations website..

Mercy hospitals have updated and replaced various pieces of equipment in recent years with newer, more efficient models. They have programmed HVAC equipment to shut down at various times during the evening and retrofitted approximately 9,500 light fixtures with more energy-efficient ones. Light sensors, timers, photo light controls and motion sensors have also been installed, the article said.

One hospital has replaced 700-ton chillers with energy-efficient units and retrofitted 274 bathroom fixtures with low-flow, energy-conserving units.

Read the article.