STRATEGIC FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FOR HOSPITALS TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Abstract

The healthcare facilities have a higher energy demands than other kinds of building due to 24x7 operation, medical equipment, and special requirements for clean air and disease control. Hence, healthcare facilities must manage energy consumption to achieve optimal patient care, comfort and safety as efficiently as possible. Technology development enhances improvement of energy efficiency of energy equipments, application of effective energy management strategies is important to further improvement in energy performance.

The study explores the main energy streams that drive high energy use at hospitals; there are electricity, compressed air and heat streams. Energy efficiency opportunities in hospitals are identified, and the control strategies which are proven financially justifiable by hospital facility managers are elaborated.

Case studies of two local hospitals described the retrofit works done and current management strategies. The cases support the importance of energy management strategies and provide evidences of major factors which affect energy consumption of hospitals are equipment condition, management strategy and human influence.

A simple guideline for establishing a Strategic Energy Management program is introduced for hospitals’ facility managers. The guideline address: how to maintain the equipment at best physical condition, what strategic facility management tactics to apply, and how to manage human influence. Facility managers can use it as a guide to start an energy management program.