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St. Joseph's Hospital-North's Energy Efficiency Is Good For Environment, Hospital
April 21, 2022
Friday, April 22, is Earth Day, when the world calls for change and a greater awareness of the environment and environmental protection. St. Joseph's Hospital-North in Lutz has tried its best to do its part.
Previously, the hospital received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of environmental sustainability.
In addition, the hospital previously received an “Energy to Care” Award from the American Society for Health Care Engineering for energy consumption reduction.
The hospital’s Facilities Department recently submitted a report summarizing the hospital’s significant energy reduction from May 2015 to October 2021.
Highlights of the report include:
- The hospital reduced energy use by 20% over that time. The energy reduction happened despite the hospital adding more than 100,000 square feet from an expansion that was completed in March 2020.
- The hospital reduced carbon dioxide use by nearly 13,000 metric tons.
- Greenhouse gas avoidance by the hospital during the period was the equivalent of removing 2,673 cars from the road, 1,157 homes off the energy grid and eliminating 68 railcars of coal.
- Cost savings to the hospital from reduction in electricity and natural gas was more than $1.3 million.
John Young, St. Joseph's Hospital-North's facilities manager, said efficiencies in air conditioning played the biggest role in the energy reduction.
He said the hospital used technology to take advantage of guidelines established by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to vary the rate of air conditioning in areas according to usage. AHCA licenses health care facilities in Florida.
“In areas that were unoccupied or were in non-peak usage, we are able to ramp down the air conditioning in those spaces,” Young said. "Air conditioning is the highest energy consumer.”
He said the hospital is able to regulate the air conditioning in places like administrative offices, the (Twigs) Café and lobbies so less is used when those places are empty, closed or during times when not many people occupy them.
“The temperature in those places is still comfortable but the air conditioning is not going full blast,” he said.
Another significant energy savings, he added, was the use of LED lighting in the visitor and team member parking lots for the hospital and physician office building.
He said the hospital used technology to take advantage of guidelines established by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to vary the rate of air conditioning in areas according to usage. AHCA licenses health care facilities in Florida.
“In areas that were unoccupied or were in non-peak usage, we are able to ramp down the air conditioning in those spaces,” Young said. "Air conditioning is the highest energy consumer.”
He said the hospital is able to regulate the air conditioning in places like administrative offices, the (Twigs) Café and lobbies so less is used when those places are empty, closed or during times when not many people occupy them.
“The temperature in those places is still comfortable but the air conditioning is not going full blast,” he said.
Another significant energy savings, he added, was the use of LED lighting in the visitor and team member parking lots for the hospital and physician office building.
In addition to reducing energy consumption, LED lights are economical and better for nighttime safety, he said.
“We save money on electricity and on maintenance costs (with LED lights)," Young said. "And, these lights provide a higher level of security for our team members and visitors."
Young said he was encouraged by the report showing SJHN succeeding in maintaining an efficient, carbon-reducing and cost-saving facility.
“In addition to providing a safe and healthy environment for our patients, team members and anyone who comes to our hospital, we want to be stewards of the environment for the overall community of Tampa Bay,” he said.
“The Green Hospital design allows St. Joseph’s Hospital-North to not only be a leader in health care technology and services but to also be a good neighbor and community partner,” said Tom Garthwaite, St. Joseph's Hospital-North president. “The reduction in carbon dioxide and energy savings not only helps our community today but for years to come.”
“We save money on electricity and on maintenance costs (with LED lights)," Young said. "And, these lights provide a higher level of security for our team members and visitors."
Young said he was encouraged by the report showing SJHN succeeding in maintaining an efficient, carbon-reducing and cost-saving facility.
“In addition to providing a safe and healthy environment for our patients, team members and anyone who comes to our hospital, we want to be stewards of the environment for the overall community of Tampa Bay,” he said.
“The Green Hospital design allows St. Joseph’s Hospital-North to not only be a leader in health care technology and services but to also be a good neighbor and community partner,” said Tom Garthwaite, St. Joseph's Hospital-North president. “The reduction in carbon dioxide and energy savings not only helps our community today but for years to come.”
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