An energy-efficient water chiller was added to Munson Medical Center’s Power Plant
earlier this fall.
Munson Medical Center recently earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® certification for superior energy performance.
Munson Healthcare Vice President of Facilities Steve Tongue said the recognition reflects a decade of steady and continuous energy improvement and conservation efforts at the hospital.
“We established an Energy Savings Team in 2009 and this team has worked tirelessly for the past 10 years to reduce utility costs,” he said. “We have had an average annual reduction of energy use of 2.2 percent over each of those 10 years.”
In 2009, the hospital’s ENERGY STAR rating was 24. Today it is 83. To achieve ENERGY STAR certification, a facility has to score 75.
Tongue said team efforts have included design and implementation of 102 separate energy projects that have resulted in $870,000 in energy savings per year. The hospital has also applied for and obtained rebates from its utility, earning an additional $496,000 in savings.
“Not only have these projects reduced our operational cost, but they have anchored our team’s efforts toward sustainability and reduced the impact on our environment for our community and the world,” he said.
A recent benchmark study shows that the hospital has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 45 percent since 2009.
ENERGY STAR Director for Commercial and Industrial Buildings Jean Lupinacci said Munson Medical Center’s efforts demonstrate true environmental leadership by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Today, 45 percent of U.S. emissions are attributable to commercial and industrial buildings, which is why improving energy efficiency is so critical for our future,” she said.
ENERGY STAR certified buildings are verified to perform in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide, based on weather-normalized source energy use that takes into account occupancy, hours of operation, and other key metrics. ENERGY STAR is the only energy efficiency certification in the United States that is based on actual, verified energy performance.
In addition to the EPA certification, Grumman Butkis – a national energy benchmarking firm – ranks Munson Medical Center in the top 25 percent of Midwest hospitals for energy efficiency.
Tongue said projects have included everything from installing LED lighting that not only uses less energy to produce light, but also produces almost no heat which provides cost savings for cooling in the summer. Variable speed frequency drives on electric motors, more efficient air handlers, and improvements to boiler combustion systems have all promoted a greener environment.
“We want the community to understand we are working hard to be good stewards of our resources as we continue to provide great quality care for the region,” he said.