Perhaps one of the most vital industries in the world, healthcare demands stability and equilibrium in its energy usage. On one hand, there’s a global push for energy efficiency and renewables that gains more momentum every day. And on the other, there are patients who need and deserve comfortable care, which means consuming energy to continuously power HVAC, lighting, and more.
Here, we’ll discuss how to balance cost and comfort when it comes to energy consumption and patient well-being in healthcare facilities.
Balancing Cost and Comfort
Before beginning any sort of energy efficiency initiative in a healthcare setting, it’s important to keep patients top of mind, as reducing consumption levels may negatively impact their patient experience. With that in mind, transparency is key.
In a hospital, for example, explain the facility’s commitment to sustainability and the energy savings you’re looking to achieve. This can be done through brochures, signage, or even short video clips in waiting areas that will, ideally, help patients understand your efforts. And, be sure to highlight the benefits patients can expect themselves, such as more funds directed toward improved patient care as a result of the cost savings.
From there, educate guests about what they should expect following any adjustments, like slightly warmer or cooler room temperatures or the addition of motion-sensor lighting in common areas.
The Benefits of Energy Efficiency Improvements In Healthcare
Decreasing consumption doesn’t automatically mean that you’re compromising patient care. In fact, many elements required to become more energy efficient actually contribute to enhanced care:
- Improved indoor environment: Energy-efficient measures, like proper ventilation and optimized HVAC systems, can lead to better indoor air quality and comfortable temperatures. This can benefit patients, especially those with respiratory issues or compromised immune systems.
- Reduced noise pollution: Certain energy-saving practices, like occupancy sensors for lights, can minimize unnecessary noise in patient areas to promote a more healing and restful environment.
How EnerConnex Can Help
EnerConnex Energy Efficiency programs are built for a diverse range of industries. Each of our consultants comes brimming with experience managing energy usage and optimization initiatives in healthcare settings — with satisfied customers to back us up.
Our experts will see to it that ongoing upgrades to core facility elements like HVAC, lighting, and refrigeration are optimized for reduced energy consumption without compromising the level of patient care you’ve strived to achieve.
Working directly with you to assess your facility’s specific needs and consumption patterns, we’ll:
- Develop a tailored plan that balances efficiency with guest comfort.
- Benchmark energy use against similar facilities to identify areas for significant improvement.
- Ensure the hospital’s energy-saving measures comply with relevant healthcare facility regulations regarding air quality, temperature control, and more.
Discover the EnerConnex Advantage. Contact us today to learn how we can help you cut costs by becoming more energy efficient, allowing you to focus on and invest in patient care.