Reconstruction & Renovation

Energy-efficiency retrofits can help reduce healthcare costs

Reducing energy consumption through energy-efficiency retrofits represents an underappreciated way to cut healthcare costs, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute. U.S. healthcare facilities spend $8.8 billion per year on energy, a figure that could be cut dramatically. A case in point: Greenwich (Conn.) Hospital implemented a deep energy retrofit and saved more than 1.7 million kWh and $303,000 of electricity per year, nearly doubled its ENERGY STAR rating to 88, and reduced its overall energy consumption by 35% with a less-than-six-month payback on the effort.
Jan. 6, 2014
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Reducing energy consumption through energy-efficiency retrofits represents an underappreciated way to cut healthcare costs, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute. U.S. healthcare facilities spend $8.8 billion per year on energy, a figure that could be cut dramatically.

A case in point: Greenwich (Conn.) Hospital implemented a deep energy retrofit and saved more than 1.7 million kWh and $303,000 of electricity per year, nearly doubled its ENERGY STAR rating to 88, and reduced its overall energy consumption by 35% with a less-than-six-month payback on the effort.

The recent release of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Energy Retrofit Guide for Healthcare Facilities offers a roadmap for hospital energy retrofits.

(http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2013_12_04_how_retrofits_can_reduce_the_cost_of_healthcare)

About the Author

Drew Ballensky

Drew Ballensky is general manager of Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.’s central U.S. facility in Iowa and company spokesman for Duro-Last’s cool roofing, sustainability and architectural education programs. He is past-president of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association and chairman of CFFA’s Vinyl Roofing Division. Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. Drew has over 29 years experience in business and industry in various engineering and managerial capacities. He has worked in the U.S. and Canadian operations for a major international manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings, was a financial analyst with a major athletic apparel manufacturer and was an owner of a general contracting company.
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