Skip to contents
In This Issue:
National Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Week: October 24 - 30
Cutting Costs and Helping the Environment The Department of Engineering has undertaken a number of conservation initiatives to improve operational cost effectiveness and protect the environment.
James Turner, utility manager, explained, “Our new utility metering systems serve as a pulse on the facility and enable us to detect any irregularities in our use of steam, water, air conditioning and electricity,” he said.
With the hospital’s building automation system, department employees view real-time equipment performance throughout the hospital. “We can save time finding a problem remotely using the system, rather than having to detect it manually,” he said.
Although it is difficult to manage heat and steam costs, a recent steam trap upgrade project at 221 Longwood is meaningfully reducing costs, and is being reviewed for possible implementation at the main campus. The department also kicked-off a sterilizer retrofit program that should substantially reduce water and sewer costs when completed, with anticipated cost savings of approximately $90,000 per year.
Other recent projects the department has pursued include a comprehensive lighting upgrade at the ASB-II building and adjoining garage, ongoing installation of reduced-water use bathroom appliances and other assorted lighting improvements. “We are really excited about our conservation undertaking and the installation of new equipment that will continue to improve the energy efficiency of our facility,” Turner said.