When it comes to energy consumption in the health services industry—hospitals in Pennsylvania, in particular—there’s no denying that the amount of electricity consumed is much higher than a traditional office or commercial building. On average, hospitals use as much as three times more electricity than a large scale office building. In the U.S alone, hospitals accounted for more than 194 trillion BTUs (British thermal units) of electricity use in 2007, according to a study released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
How can Pennsylvania hospitals reduce their electrical costs? It’s simple. Enroll in UGI EnergyLink’s commercial electric services. We have been supplying electricity to Pennsylvania commercial properties for over 127 years. We can help you choose a pricing option that works best for your hospital and helps maximize your purchasing power. Contact us today!
How is Electricity Used in Hospitals?
Not only are hospitals incredibly large compared to a lot of commercial buildings, but their around-the-clock operation allows for very little downtime. Electricity is used in a variety of ways in Pennsylvania hospitals, most noticeably:
- Lighting – Hospitals require adequate lighting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- Cooking – According to the EIA, the second largest use of electricity in hospitals is used in kitchens to cook food for patients, employees, and guests.
- Electronics – Hospitals heavily rely on computers and other electronic devices to keep accurate patient records and hospital schedules.
- Machines – Hospitals can’t function without proper healthcare machinery. Equipment such as X-rays and computer tomography machines (used for CT or “CAT” scans), and more are essential to a hospital.
Tips to Conserve Energy in Hospitals
With the average hospital spending approximately $1.67 per square foot on electricity each year, hospitals can spend well over half a million dollars in total energy consumption each year. Hospitals can conserve energy by:
- Turning equipment off – Turning off any electrical equipment or machines requiring a significant amount of energy when not in use can help reduce electricity consumption and a hospital’s total electric bill.
- Installing motion activated lights – Depending on the size of a hospital, there may be many rooms, offices, bathrooms, and other areas that do not require around-the-clock lighting. Installing motion activated sensors can help reduce electric costs in hospitals.
- Scheduling HVAC maintenance – According to the EIA, 92 percent of hospitals use electricity to power their air conditioning system. Scheduling routing HVAC maintenance can improve efficiency and reduce the amount spent on electricity.
- Upgrade to LED lighting – LED lights (“light emitting diodes”) are the most energy efficient lighting available. LED lights can last up to 50 times longer than traditional lighting and consume 85 percent less energy.
Make the Switch to UGI EnergyLink’s Commercial Electric Services
The commercial electric market in Pennsylvania is deregulated. That means you have a choice in your electric provider and can choose a company and plan to suit your needs. At UGI EnergyLink we offer two unique pricing options, including a fixed pricing option and an indexed pricing option. Contact us today to learn more or click the button below to begin our easy enrollment process!
