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In This Issue:
Little Known Facts Behind the Scenes
The BWH Engineering Department has an active energy conservation program that is designed to investigate and use new strategies to help the hospital contain operating costs while simultaneously maintaining superior levels of patient comfort and service.
The potential cost and environmental benefits of conservation can rapidly add up at a 2.5 million square foot hospital like BWH. Of note, the amount of energy required to run the hospital is equivalent to that needed for approximately 6,500 single-family homes. Therefore, the hospital is actively implementing multiple strategies to maximize energy efficiency. BWH endorses the philosophy that intelligent use of energy is good for the hospital and good for the environment.
So what can BWHers do to help keep the hospital as energy efficient as possible? The following is a list of suggestions from the Engineering Department. All employees should:• Turn off unnecessary lighting, which reduces both electric usage and need for air conditioning;• Turn off computers overnight and/or over weekends;• Consider purchasing LED computer screens when replacing old monitors, as they are far more energy efficient than other display screens; • Consider replacing burned out incandescent lights with compact flourescent lamps; and• Notify the Engineering Department if you detect uncontrolled utility use so that it can be addressed as soon as possible (e.g. leaking faucets or toilets, uncontrolled lights in unused spaces, etc.).
BWH intends to remain a leader in the creative use of energy efficiency strategies and technologies to control costs, improve patient comfort and minimize the environmental impact of hospital operations.