Energy strategies for health care institutions
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
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Summary report of the four Energy Strategies' Conferences held June 8-10, 1975 in Atlanta, GA; June 29-July 1, 1975 in Boston, MA; July 20-22, 1975 in San Francisco, CA; and August 10-12, 1975 in Denver, CO
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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