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Hospital Design News Release
For Immediate Release (02/28/10)
Hospital Energy Reduction Strategies Article Published
Well-known hospital architect Bernstein & Associates, Architects
is pleased to announce the publication of a new article on
hospital energy reduction strategies. The article will be
published in the Hospital Newspaper, where Mr. Bernstein writes
a monthly column on hospital design and hospital construction.
The article discusses some of the various strategies that
hospitals are using to reduce energy costs, and thereby reduce
hospital operating costs. Below is a highlight of some of these
energy saving strategies:
- chiller-power optimization software
- solar panels on the garage roof
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turning off equipment that does not need to run 24/7
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replace/repair steam traps to improve efficiency
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replace light bulbs with more energy efficient bulbs
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combined heat and power (CHP) system
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utilize solar energy, as well as energy saving smart meters.
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derive electricity from wind energy
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energy-efficient lighting
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retrofit of heating and ventilation system
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heat captured by energy plant, and turned into steam
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installation of new cooling towers
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new boiler burners
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new windows
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new roof
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chiller optimization
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installation of efficient motors
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lighting improvements
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centralized building management system.
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new computer program to monitor power settings for PCs
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saving wastewater previously being wasted, better management of
HVAC cooling water, reducing the number of cycles that the
boiler runs
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adding a “SolarWall” air heating system
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changing incandescent lamps to fluorescent lamps
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replacing T12 fixtures with T5 or T8 fixtures
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utilizing LED lighting instead of non-LED where feasible
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installing variable air volume HVAC systems (heating,
ventilating and air conditioning) instead of constant volume
handling systems, where the unit is either on or off.
The article also discusses the Five Steps for Hospitals to
Become Energy Star Rated:
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Step 1: “Retrocommission” your operations (ensure that systems
are installed correctly and will operate according to needs)
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Step 2: Conduct a lighting evaluation (generally with goal of:
replacing inefficient lighting, increasing lighting controls,
and ensuring that lighting levels are correct)
A
proper lighting evaluation has three components, Reed said.
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Step 3; Achieve supplemental load reductions (reduce “plug load’
through judicious selection of energy efficient equipment)
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Step 4: Upgrade the air handling system (variable air volume
instead of constant volume)
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Step 5: Right-size the building’s chiller (can be done once
steps 1-4 are complete, and heat gain is reduced so that less
cooling is required)
A
final subject of the article is the Hospital Energy Alliance,
noting that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has established
the Hospital Energy Alliance (HEA) to help increase energy
efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the
hospital industry
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About Bernstein & Associates, Architects:
Founded in 1990, this healthcare architecture firm specializes
in healthcare interior design, healthcare design, hospital
design, hospital architecture, medical office design, medical
office interior design, hospital interior design, medical
interior design and health care interior design.
The firm is run by William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA, a
well-known hospital architect. The firm is highly experienced
with state-of-the-art hospital design.
For further information about planning and design of a hospital,
as well as medical office space, contact Bernstein & Associates,
Architects:
Bernstein & Associates, Architects
59 West 19th Street - 6A
New York, NY 10011
T: 212.463.8200
F: 212.463.9898
E:
info@bernarch.com
W:
www.bernarch.com
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