Energy benchmarking for hospitals

Protect your hospital dollars with energy efficiency

Hospitals consume significant amounts of energy. In fact, they have a higher energy intensity than any other activity in the commercial and institutional sector with the exception of food or beverage stores.^Footnote1 Their high energy consumption is largely due to the use of very energy-intensive equipment such as ventilation systems and specialized medical equipment, as well as extended operating hours.

More and more hospitals see the value of becoming more environmentally sustainable and are looking at savings opportunities that include making greater investments in energy efficiency. Energy benchmarking is a great place to start, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found that buildings that benchmark can save an average of 2.4 percent on their annual energy budgets.^Footnote2 As a result of using energy more efficiently, additional resources can be reinvested for core medical services including medical staff and equipment and other patient services, as well as contribute to a healthier environment through reduced emissions.

There is no need to wait. Start benchmarking your energy performance now: turn your energy dollars into health care dollars today.

Collect the data you need to benchmark your hospital

The ENERGY STAR^® Score for Hospitals in Canada applies to acute care and children’s hospitals and to all buildings in multi-building campus settings or stand-alone facilities that are designed to treat patients for short periods of time for any brief but severe medical condition, including emergency medical care, physician's office services, diagnostic care, ambulatory care, and surgical care.

To obtain a 1-100 ENERGY STAR score, in addition to your hospital’s or hospital campus’ basic tombstone information, you need the following building data:

• Gross floor area for each building
• Gross floor area used for food preparation
• Number of sterilization units
• Number of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines
• Number of workers on the main shift
• Weather and climate (using heating degree days, retrieved based on postal code)

Energy Use

• Specific energy billing information for each building for all purchased energy. You will need to begin with at least 12 consecutive months for each energy source and update regularly with monthly usage data.

Note that the above information is not required to start benchmarking. You can start using the tool to track your energy performance no matter how much data you have. However, in order to obtain the 1-100 score or an energy use intensity value, you need the details above.

Apply for certification

If your hospital earns a score of 75 or higher and meets certain other criteria, it could be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. Learn more about certification and how you can apply.

 

Learn more about benchmarking and energy efficiency for hospitals

Natural Resources Canada resources

• Canadian ENERGY STAR scores
• ENERGY STAR certification for commercial and institutional buildings in Canada
• Benchmarking technical information
• What is energy benchmarking?
• Benchmarks and Best Practices for Acute and Extended Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Energy Managers and Finance Officers
• Energy management training resources
• Information on Energy Efficient Products that will help reduce plug loads and use energy more efficiently throughout your hospital
• Technical reference document for hospitals (PDF, 715 KB)

External resources

• The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care
• HealthCare Energy Leaders Ontario
• Health Care Energy Leadership Program: An initiative of My Sustainable Canada and the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care whose purpose is to promote energy efficiency at health care facilities across Canada.
• Toronto and Region Conservation for The Living City’s Greening Health Care
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Healthcare resources
• Hospital Benchmarks Energy Performance facilities.net, June 2009
• Benchmarking is first step toward energy efficiency, facilities.net, June 2009
• Hospital Energy Benchmarking Guidance – Version 1.0, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, October 2009
• Energy matters: The path to efficiency starts with EPA benchmarking tool, Health Facilities Management, October 1, 2013

 

The ENERGY STAR and PORTFOLIO MANAGER names and the ENERGY STAR symbol are trademarks registered in Canada by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and are administered and promoted by Natural Resources Canada.