(Newswire.net — June 23, 2023) — As one would expect from an industry that operates around the clock, healthcare facilities use a substantial amount of energy. In addition, hospitals have a lot of pricey medical equipment that runs on a lot of power. Also, the lights and HVAC system need to remain on 24/7 to ensure the patient’s safety and comfort. Because of this, the National Health Services (NHS) spend around £500 million every year on energy costs. This means that the healthcare sector is among the most energy-intensive in the country.
Though this power use is essential, hospitals must take quick action to reduce their energy consumption due to the negative effects on the environment and growing fuel costs. Thus, we compiled a set of recommendations for cutting down on the energy use of your healthcare facility to help you save on electricity bill.
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Switch to Energy Efficient Lighting
It goes without saying that the larger a healthcare facility is, the more it would have more lights, as illumination is crucial in this industry. Because of this, lighting is one of the biggest energy drains in hospitals, accounting for at least 16% of total energy expenses. The facility’s rooms, hallways, and common areas must have adequate lighting at all times, both for the safety of staff and patients. Due to the high need for lighting, it is prudent to install a state-of-the-art, energy-saving lighting system. If you want to save the most money and energy, make the switch to LED. Common wattages for these lights are between 4 and 18W. Consequently, the NHS may save at least £3 billion by employing them over the next three decades.
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Improve Heating
During the colder months, healthcare facilities must keep their patients and residents comfortable at all times, thus the heaters remain on virtually nonstop. For this reason, the largest portion of a care facility’s energy spent goes toward heating the building. Most big healthcare facilities have one or more central boiler systems that supply steam to the various departments. In many publicly funded medical facilities, boilers account for the bulk of the facility’s total annual energy use. It can account for up to 30% of the facility’s electricity consumption. Therefore, a new boiler or switching to a condensing gas or natural gas boiler may drastically save monthly energy bills. Evidence suggests that these two are 92–95% more effective.
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Use Alternative Energy Sources
Large healthcare institutions are good candidates for installing renewable energy systems because of their constant need for electricity. Using renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and water in construction helps to lessen a building’s impact on the environment.
Solar power is a viable renewable energy option for hospitals and other medical centers. Solar energy is one of the most widely used and widely available renewable energy options. Solar energy allows your healthcare facility to avoid being too dependent on the National Grid, which is run by fossil fuel.
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Harness the Power of Sensors
The majority of a hospital or clinic won’t always be bustling with activity, but certain parts will see heavy foot traffic. That’s why it’s important to make use of motion sensors’ efficiency in order to lessen your impact on the environment through excessive energy consumption. The use of the restroom is an example of a place that is not constantly in demand. In spite of this, there will always be instances in which the user fails to shut off the lights when finished. You can help the environment and save money on electricity by installing motion-activated lights. It will automatically shut off if it senses that the bathroom is vacant.
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Regularly Maintain Your HVAC System
Because of how vitally important clean air and adequate ventilation are, hospitals often spend more than 30 percent of their total energy budget on HVAC. Due to the presence of chemicals, airborne diseases, and vapors that might cause injury if not contained, this system is useful for hazard management. This is why it is crucial to keep your HVAC system well-maintained. If you do this, you may see a decrease in your monthly power price. Maintenance and improvements can also keep ventilation and airflow operating at their most efficient, which means your HVAC system will use less energy and prolong its lifespan.
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Use Automation
Automated settings that lower heating and cooling in idle sections are one technique to lessen an establishment’s overall carbon footprint and energy consumption. If you want to upgrade your HVAC system, think about getting a smart thermostat. This allows you to schedule when the system will shut down and when it will restart.