July 27, 2009, Cincinnati - The Christ Hospital has earned its fifth ENERGY STAR label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Christ Hospital is the only hospital in Greater Cincinnati to earn the label in 2008 and only the third hospital nationwide to earn the label at least five times. The hospital's energy performance rating was scored at 76, which puts The Christ Hospital among the top 24 percent of hospitals in the country for energy efficiency.
"By reducing The Christ Hospital's energy consumption, we are taking an active role in improving the overall health of the region," said Susan Croushore, President and CEO, The Christ Hospital. "Not only are we reducing energy-related emissions into the atmosphere, the cost savings allows us to re-allocate dollars towards the advancement of healthcare prevention, treatment, education and research. We are honored to accept the EPA's ENERGY STAR label in recognition of our commitment to environmental stewardship."
Some of the actions the hospital has taken to earn the ENERGY STAR rankings are:
- Installed new electronic lamps and ballast based on lamp life, energy rating and cost.
- Upgraded building automation systems to control all of the 68 air handling systems, to monitor performance and to perform remote diagnostics.
- Installed new chillers and cooling towers, including new slats and cones on the chillers.
- Installed new software to control operation of the chillers based upon need and outdoor conditions.
- Implemented the Square D Power Logic building system to control and report electrical usage, as well as to track and monitor peak demand.
- Installed occupancy sensors in most supply rooms and offices to decrease lighting loads.
- Installed a free cooling chiller/heat exchanger so chillers can be shut down during winter months. This unit operates when the outdoor air temperature is higher than 35 degrees.
- Converted irrigation in planter beds to drip irrigation and changed lawn sprinkler heads to smart technology heads that sense heat, humidity and rainfall, resulting in a sizable decrease of water usage.
- Converted to waterless urinals within the facility to decrease water consumption.
"Earning the ENERGY STAR label shows that The Christ Hospital can continue its mission and provide a safe, well-maintained, high-tech environment while incorporating energy-efficient measures," said Rick Perkinson, divisional director of facilities management at The Christ Hospital.
According to the EPA, commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products, new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions my meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2008, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $19 billion on their energy bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 29 million vehicles. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov.
The Christ Hospital is a 555-bed, not-for-profit acute care facility, offering services in cardiovascular care, spine treatment, women's health, major surgery, cancer, behavioral medicine, orthopedics, emergency care, kidney transplant and others. The hospital also offers The Christ Hospital Medical Associates, a primary care physician practice with several office locations throughout the Tristate. The Christ Hospital is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top hospitals, and has been named Cincinnati's Most Preferred Hospital for 13 consecutive years by National Research Corporation (NRC). For more information about The Christ Hospital, visit www.TheChristHospital.com.
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