Health care facilities can range from small local clinics ("Doc-in-a-box") and out-patient facilities, to small, medium and large hospitals, and to huge medical centers. Also included in this category are Nursing Homes, Out-patient Facilities, Fitness Clubs, and Congregated & Assisted Living facilities.
HVAC
Typical System
With the wide variation in facility sizes and types, the typical systems range from roof-top packaged units on small clinics to large centralized boiler/chiller systems in large hospitals and medical centers. Refer to the facility type links above for more details.
Recommendations/Energy Services Opportunities
With such a large amount of thermal energy consumed in the HVAC, Food Service and Laundry segments of many health care facilities, there are often many opportunities for you to assist the operating staff in identifying and implementing them. Here are a group of such opportunities:
* Recommend suitable energy conservation alternatives, such as using larger energy storage tanks, employing energy conversion devices that transfer energy from hot or cold building exhaust air to heat or cool incoming air, use of heat pipes, runaround loops, and other forms of heat recovery, "free" cooling with tower/chilled water plate-frame heat exchangers.
* Solid waste incinerators, which generate exhaust heat to develop steam for laundries and hot water for patient care.
* Add options to central plant systems, which may include thermal storage, hydronic economizers, primary/secondary pumping, cogeneration, heat recovery boilers, and heat recovery incinerators.
* Replace old and inefficient cooling equipment using CFCs with modern high efficiency units using non-CFCs.
* Replace old and inefficient boilers.
* Add emergency gen-sets which can also be used for peak shaving.
* Work with the architects and engineers in the design of new facilities, including alterations of and additions to existing buildings, as these designs have a major influence on the amount of energy required to provide such services as heating, cooling, and lighting.
Other opportunities are shown in the individual facility types; use links above.
Water Heating
Typical System
With the wide variation in facility sizes and types, the typical systems range from gas-fired or direct electric heaters on small clinics to steam-to-hot-water heat exchangers and storage tanks strategically located in the various facility areas using large amounts of hot water (kitchens, laundries, etc.) in large hospitals and medical centers. Refer to the facility type links above for more details.
Recommendations/Energy Services Opportunities
These include:
* Replace inefficient heaters
* Consider electric sterilizers
* Where waste heat is available, consider water-to-water heat pumps for up to 140°F needs
* Consider waste incinerator
Refer to the facility type links above for more details.
Cooking
Typical System
Many health care facilities contain cafeterias, restaurants or fast food operations. Their cooking needs should be handled as appropriate.
Lighting
Rising costs coupled with greater competition for patients are two economic realities that have transformed the Healthcare industry as a whole and Healthcare facility design, in particular. The cold, clinical pragmatism of traditional hospitals is changing to a warmer, more human, residential environment designed to help alleviate the normal stress of patients and their families.
Some researchers are convinced that, after food, lighting is the most important environmental influence on our physical and psychological health. Because of this research, Healthcare facilities are using furnishings, colors, and other decorative elements to mitigate the institutional atmosphere of the hospital environment.
Designers recognize that lighting is an important tool in promoting the desired environment without increasing operating costs. As a result, facility design strategies are matching advances in medicine and the trend toward greater specialization.
Refrigeration
Typical System
Many health care facilities contain cafeterias, restaurants or fast food operations, as well as morgues and other facilities requiring mechanical refrigeration. Their refrigeration needs should be handled as appropriate.
Recommendations/Energy Services Opportunities
Replace old and inefficient refrigeration systems with modern and efficient systems using non-CFC refrigerants.