Energy Conservation in Healthcare, Social Services and Public Buildings

Energy conservation in healthcare, government buildings and social services settings can free up cash for more pressing needs. Eliminating waste in these settings is about more than controlling costs; it is about focusing resources where they can do the most good.

Energy Conservation in the Healthcare Industry

Opening and running a facility for health care can be costly. Your capital investment in specialized equipment is just the start. Operating that equipment can consume considerable energy. Add highly paid staff on your payroll, rent, compliance with regulations and you’ll quickly start racking up expenses. It’s estimated that starting a basic primary care facility costs at least $70,000, with an additional $50,000 going toward things like furniture and technology.

Estimating healthcare industry operating costs

Ongoing operating expenses like rent, payroll, insurance, medical supplies and utilities will have a dramatic effect on your profitability. About 40% of physicians say that roughly half of their revenue goes to medical practice overhead.

Medical practice expenses vary widely depending on your location and area of expertise. Dental practice expenses will differ from primary care practice expenses. Specialized practices operating high-tech equipment will require a greater capital investment, along with higher operating expenses.

Average energy consumption for medical businesses

The median Energy Use Intensity (EUI) for medical offices in the U.S. is 232.8 kBtu per square foot, but varies with the type of specialized medical equipment used and the energy efficiency of the health care facility. Moreover, globally, the healthcare industry emits between 4.4% and 4.6% of greenhouse gas. Controlling energy use in your facility will benefit your bottom line as well as the planet.

It costs small business owners between 120 to 165 thousand dollars to start a medical business

It costs small business owners between $120,000 and $165,000 to get up and running in a medical business.

40% of medical business owners say that overhead is increasing

Forty percent of medical business owners say that the average medical practice overhead is increasing while their wages remain steady.

If all medical facilities reduce energy use they could save 15 billion dollars over 10 years

If all medical facilities were to reduce energy use and cut certain waste, they could save about $15 billion over 10 years.

Energy-saving strategies for the healthcare sector

Energy conservation in healthcare is one way to reduce your medical office expenses. Some of these strategies will cost you money to save money–but they will pay for themselves quickly. Others are simple, fast and inexpensive ways to improve efficiency and your bottom line.

Use an energy management system. These systems provide data on your energy consumption patterns. You may discover that high-energy equipment left running when your facility is closed is costing you plenty. You can better control what you can measure.
Install energy-efficient lighting. Switching to energy-efficient lighting is a quick and inexpensive strategy for energy conservation in healthcare settings. Commercial LED lighting provides the light you need, with energy savings being just one of several LED light benefits. Consider adding solar lights outdoors and motion detectors that turn lights on only when needed in bathrooms, halls and closets.
Adjust thermostats. Adjust your thermostats based on occupancy. Set them a few degrees cooler on winter nights and higher during summer nights when your building isn’t occupied. A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust to optimize your comfort and energy use.
Investigate energy-efficient HVAC solutions. Regular maintenance keeps your HVAC systems running smoothly and at an ideal temperature. Upgrades like variable frequency drives, energy-efficient motors and demand-controlled ventilation will improve the efficiency of an existing system.
Initiate power on and power down procedures. Turn off and unplug as many energy-consuming devices as possible when you close for the day. A checklist of devices to power down daily can establish a habit of energy-saving ideas in action.
Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances. Reduce the energy your appliances consume by upgrading to new ones with good ENERGY STAR®️ efficiency ratings.

Energy Efficiency in Social Services and Public Buildings

Reducing government building energy consumption is good for taxpayers and the environment. This category includes federal, state and local government buildings.

Not all public buildings are the same. Managing post office energy efficiency will be like managing a warehouse combined with a retail property. Social services energy efficiency may be more like an office building, as well as offices handling public finance and taxation offices.

In all cases, government building energy efficiency matters, both in controlling costs and in setting the standard for environmental stewardship.

Average energy consumption for social and public buildings

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, public assembly buildings such as libraries, entertainment venues, and recreational facilities use an average of 14.7 kWh of electricity per square foot. More often than not, lighting and HVAC are the systems that consume the most energy in these types of buildings.

How to reduce your social and public building operating costs with energy efficiency

Improving government building energy efficiency will depend on facility type. These tips, however, can be adapted to nearly any building.

Track energy consumption. You need to know how and when energy is being used in your building before you can develop strategies for reducing usage.

Perform an energy audit. Perform a business energy audit to find drafty windows, insufficient insulation, old and inefficient equipment, ventilation problems and more.

Repair and upgrade. Fix holes and gaps around the building, Perform regular systems maintenance and consider swapping old equipment out for energy efficient replacements. Beef up insulation.

Switch out light bulbs. Replace incandescents with efficient LED bulbs.

Adopt smart systems. Smart thermostats are only a start. Automating your building with smart power strips, doors and window treatments, and HVAC and water heater controls can make a difference

Use renewable energy. No need to install and maintain wind or solar at your facility. Your energy provider may be able to offer contracts that deliver renewable energy to your building.

How to reduce public building operating costs.

Get started on reducing your energy consumption

Buildings that serve people all can benefit from greater building efficiency. Constellation can help you locate and identify opportunities for conservation in healthcare, government buildings and social services settings through our Efficiency Made Easy program. Our team of energy professionals can show you how to make better use of energy to lower your costs and minimize your carbon footprint. The program is free and the benefits are invaluable.

Lower my energy usage

Additional healthcare resources

Interested in finding more ways to lower your healthcare energy consumption? Check out our healthcare-related resources for more exciting strategies.

Energy Conservation in Healthcare, Social Services and Public Buildings

Energy Conservation in the Healthcare Industry

Estimating healthcare industry operating costs

Average energy consumption for medical businesses

Take control of your energy

Healthcare industry energy usage quick facts

Energy-saving strategies for the healthcare sector

Energy Efficiency in Social Services and Public Buildings

Average energy consumption for social and public buildings

How to reduce your social and public building operating costs with energy efficiency

Get started on reducing your energy consumption

Additional healthcare resources

Overcoming Obstacles to Become More Energy Efficient

15 Power Outage Safety Tips for Small Businesses

Small Business Checklist: Energy Cost-cutting Ideas

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