Energy strategies for health care institutions

Book · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7193892

Because health care is energy-intensive and energy-dependent, the availability and costs of energy are of major concern in planning and administering health services. This report summarizes the effects of the energy problem on health services and provides answers to current questions about energy conservation and fuel conversion. In 1975 the 7,200 hospitals in the U.S. consumed 15% of all energy used in commercial buildings, or the equivalent of 400,000 barrels of oil per day. Hospitals could potentially save 20 to 30% of the energy they now use. However, large amounts of energy are still necessary to maintain quality of care, and additional energy is demanded from manufacturers of medical supplies and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Although hospitals receive preferential treatment with regard to oil and natural gas allocations, energy supplies are not secure. Hospital administrators are urged to implement energy conservation programs immediately. This report describes general energy conservation program concepts and policies as well as practical aspects of energy conservation techniques, e.g., energy auditing, energy sharing or the modular integrated utility systems concept, energy monitoring, resetting of thermostats, and insulating. To deal with health care energy problems, a special action office within the Health Resources Administration has been established. (BYB)

• Research Organization: U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Health Resources Administration, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 7193892
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
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291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320100 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Buildings
BUILDINGS
CONSTRUCTION
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SUPPLIES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HOSPITALS
MEDICAL CENTERS
MEDICINE
PLANNING
PUBLIC HEALTH