Did You Know . . . Proposed penalties related to hospital energy efficiency are currently being adopted by state and local jurisdictions, such as Washington state’s new penalty of up to $5,000 plus $1 per gross square foot of floor area per year for buildings that do not meet energy targets. However, the energy targets being developed may not be realistic or attainable, according to ASHE (American Society of Healthcare Engineering) data.
To help calculate correct targets, ASHE urges every hospital in the U.S. to benchmark their energy data in the ASHE Energy to Care program. Up-to-date, statistically significant data will help ASHE better advocate for correct energy targets and prevent undue financial burdens on hospitals. (Article: ASHE alerts field to proposed energy target penalties, ASHE Health Facilities Management/Insider, February 4, 2020) Read more . . .
The Energy to Care web site serves as a portal for healthcare facilities management professionals to reduce energy consumption and realize the substantial savings and improved patient care that can be achieved through energy reduction.
Energy to Care provides a simple, easy-to-use dashboard with user guide, energy tracking, reports, graphs and interpretation guides, educational tools, sustainability tips, assistance programs, treasure hunts, awards and dozens of success stories to help you get motivated.
In the world of source equipment, energy consumption by medical air and medical vacuum systems is always a big issue. Source equipment uses large amounts of energy but can be reduced and kept at bay. Here are a few ways to help keep your source equipment energy usage at a minimum:
Medical Air:
- Analyze your air consumption
- Reduce pressure wherever possible
- Inspect equipment and distribution lines for leaks regularly and fix them as soon as possible
- Ensure air receivers are being used properly
- Control multiple compressor systems effectively
- Choose the right dryers and filters and change filters regularly
- Replace leaky drains and remove condensate with no-loss drains
- Generating compressed air creates heat – figure out a way to use it elsewhere
- Proper maintenance is guaranteed to save energy, dollars and extend equipment life
- Choose the right equipment for an intended application
- Eliminate inappropriate uses of your high-pressure medical air
Medical Vacuum:
- Analyze your vacuum requirements
- Minimize the flow through your vacuum distribution lines
- Check all connections, fittings and components for vacuum leaks
- Add VFD/VSD (Variable Frequency Drive/Variable Speed Drive) to your existing vacuum pumps
- Upgrade to dry rotary claw pumps – the most efficient in the industry
Whether you do your own preventative maintenance service or have it done by an outside service company, you should be documenting compressor or vacuum pump run times and start and stop times each time a service is performed. This allows you to build up a history that can be used as a benchmark. This record will also alert you to excessive energy consumption caused by problems that may occur in the system.
We can help you to achieve good, solid, efficient energy consumption by assisting with some of the above and more. For a no-cost energy and system evaluation contact us and we’ll set up a meeting at your convenience.
