Energy Consumption in Large Acute Hospitals

Abstract

This paper examines energy cost and consumption in large acute hospitals. Energy represents the third largest cost in the National Health Service behind staff wages and drugs, hence it is recognised as a major cost area. The Department of Health has established a target of reducing energy consumption in the National Health Sector by 15% in the five year period up to 1996. The experience of hospitals suggests that savings of up to 20% are possible on predicted levels. The largest energy cost in hospitals is electricity, this accounts for 42% of total energy expenditure. There is a sharp upward trend in electricity consumption throughout the Health Sector. The remaining energy expenditure is allocated to fossil fuels. A case study performed at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, identified electricity as the major energy cost and examined the areas where the greatest consumption was occurring.