Connecticut Children’s Medical Center is a nationally recognized, 187-bed hospital serving as the primary teaching facility for the University of Connecticut School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics. Connecticut Children’s is consistently named among the best in the nation for pediatric specialties in U.S. News & World Report.
Last year, Connecticut Children’s embarked on a large-scale, multi-fuel saving project that will reduce annual energy consumption by 785,178 kWh, and save 3,740,600 cubic feet of natural gas. The project included:knknkn
lighting upgrades, where fixtures were replaced with energy-efficient LEDs and low power ballasts, resulting in annual savings of more than 500,000 kWh.
energy management system upgrades that reduce air flow to a given area once the room is at the set temperature, resulting savings of more than 265,000 kWh and 15,000 ccf of natural gas annually.
envelope improvements, including weather-stripping and insulation around doors and the roof-wall joint, providing annual savings of 12,000 kWh and 8,500 ccf of natural gas.
valve and pipe insulation, including fiberglass insulation on bare steam piping, and removable thermal blanket systems installed on steam valves and fittings, resulting in approximately 10,000 ccf in natural gas savings annually.
water flow restricting devices installed on bathroom faucets and showerheads. In addition to the water savings, these measures will save 2,045 ccf of natural gas each year.
As part of the Energize Connecticut initiative, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center worked with Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) to receive both financial incentives and technical assistance. CL&P representatives worked with hospital staff to analyze contractor documents and calculate expected savings.
The 2013 project was one of many energy-saving initiatives accomplished at the hospital over the years, resulting in total savings more than 2.5 million kWh annually. Those improvements were highlighted recently when the medical center was featured in the Hartford Business Journal’s Spring 2014 Green Guide.
Connecticut Children’s continues looking for energy improvement opportunities. In addition to the main hospital in Hartford, the medical center has a number of satellite facilities. Projects are being considered at Connecticut Children’s CCMC School, as well as one of its primary care facilities. The hospital has created a Green Team to promote energy efficiency awareness among staff, patients, and families. The hospital also works with CL&P to promote energy efficiency programs to businesses throughout Connecticut. At a time when funding for energy efficiency programs was in jeopardy, Medical Center Facilities Manager Bob Will spoke to the state legislature about the fund’s critical importance.
Thanks to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s efficiency efforts, funds that would otherwise be spent on energy costs are now directed toward the care of young patients. Of all reasons to promote energy conservation, perhaps none is more important than the idea of healthier children sharing a healthier planet.