The rise of more expensive energy bills and a growing carbon footprint has begun weighing on the conscience of healthcare finance leaders. Greenwich (Conn.) Hospital has proactively dealt with the problem and has saved a significant amount of money in the process.
The 174-bed Greenwich Hospital, built in 1998 and requiring more power to operate, decided to tackle the issue of energy consumption and costs. The hospital found it only scored a 47 on the government's Energy Star program (buildings rated with a 75 or higher are eligible to be "Energy Star" approved), and 40 percent of its energy expenditures were directly tied to the hospital facility.
According to a case study from the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, Greenwich Hospital implemented a retro commissioning program. It made fundamental changes to the organization's heating plan, cooling plan, air handling systems, exhaust and makeup air systems, lighting and other systems.
The results? Greenwich Hospital spent about $230,000 on upgrades and new initiatives, half of which was subsidized through energy efficiency programs, and it found almost $304,000 per year in estimated electric savings. The retro commissioning program paid for itself in less than six months.
"We've knocked down energy consumption by 35 percent and raised our Energy Star designation from 47 to 88," Greenwich Hospital Chief Plant Operator Peter Rogers said in the report. "Now, we are the only hospital in Connecticut to achieve Energy Star certification for 2010."
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