Hospitals have been unable to reduce their carbon footprint over the past 20 years, according to Grumman/Butkus Associates (G/BA).
The firm recently released the results of its 2018 Hospital Energy and Water Benchmarking Survey that tracks healthcare facilities’ resource usage trends and costs for calendar year 2017. Hospitals’ average carbon footprint has remained fairly steady at 50 to 60 pounds of CO2 equivalent per ft2 per year since G/BA began calculating carbon data in 1999.
Hospitals’ overall fossil fuel use has trended slightly downward, but electricity use isn’t declining as much. The average combined Btu/ft2 (electricity plus gas/steam) for participating facilities was 241,733 in CY2017, up slightly from CY2016 (236,910 Btu/ft2).
Square-foot prices for gas/steam rose modestly ($0.75 in 2017, compared with $0.71 in 2016), but square-foot prices for electricity climbed more sharply ($2.41 in 2017, vs. $2.25 in 2016). Hospital water/sewer use is gradually declining, currently averaging about 48 gallons per square foot per year (compared with more than 60 gallons/ ft2/year a decade ago).
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2018
Plan advances in Los Angeles for Climate Emergency Mobilization Department
Would oversee efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the city.
Codes and Standards | May 3, 2018
Data collection, machine learning boost building efficiency
Sensors, software algorithms squeeze out waste.
Codes and Standards | May 2, 2018
Energy Department releases Updated EnergyPlus and OpenStudio building energy modeling tools
The tools can now accept input in epJSON format.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2018
ASHRAE publishes new energy simulation-aided design standard
Requires building energy modeling during schematic design.
Codes and Standards | Apr 30, 2018
CALGreen projects pre-approved for streamlined LEED v4 requirements
Reduces need to run additional energy models.
Codes and Standards | Apr 26, 2018
New standard supports community resilience
ASTM International guidance supports cost-effective ways to withstand and recover from disasters.
Codes and Standards | Apr 25, 2018
Lessons learned from decades of Superfund cleanups guide contaminated land reuse
Sites repurposed for residential, commercial use, and solar energy generation.
Codes and Standards | Apr 24, 2018
Vibrant downtown core the key for urban multifamily development
Nighttime activity makes the difference.
Codes and Standards | Apr 19, 2018
ILFI launches new Zero Carbon Certification
Offers greater flexibility around project fuel types and offsetting renewables.
Codes and Standards | Apr 18, 2018
New Green Globe pilot program launched
Precursor to revised Green Globes Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings.
