- EDF Energy analysed nearly 500 hospitals to uncover potential for total average energy savings of £79,000 per site
- Survey found potential for carbon emissions savings of 9,365 tonnes per year
- Equivalent to the carbon emissions of over 5,000 flights between London and Sydney
New data from EDF Energy has revealed that better energy efficiency could deliver UK hospitals over £14m in savings every year.
By putting in place just five simple energy-efficiency measures, hospitals could each achieve a total average saving of as much as £79,197 a year, equivalent to the cost of 609 MRI scans, the research shows.
These energy savings would also have a significant environmental impact, and could save 9,365 tonnes of CO2 per year across the 494 sites surveyed.
This is equivalent to the carbon emissions from nearly 5,000 flights between London and Sydney, or to the positive impact of planting 234,125sq m of woodland.
EDF Energy analysed the sites remotely using energy consumption data to understand the potential for energy efficiency and carbon reductions at hospitals across the country.
Across the vast majority of locations, they found that very-simple changes could deliver a significant impact.
Energy efficiency has been a UK-wide focus for a number of years, but our analysis of these hospitals shows that the majority can still make meaningful carbon reductions that result in significant savings – through very-simple changes
For example, as many as 82% of the hospitals analysed could make significant cost and emissions savings simply by putting energy-efficient lighting in place.
On average, each hospital would make annual savings of £18,000 per site by installing efficient lighting, reducing their carbon emissions by 58 tonnes per year.
The data also found that:
- Using energy efficient air conditioners could save on average £18,358 per site
- Installing occupancy sensors to automate lighting could save £14,514 per site
- £25,837 could be saved per site by retrofitting Enhanced Ventilation Controls
- Using energy-efficient air conditioners could save £18,359
- Optimising operational schedule could save £2,414
Since it is possible for some hospitals to apply all five solutions at once, the total average saving available is £79,197. This figure represents the gross savings on a hospital site’s energy bill per annum, without factoring in installation costs.
As the UK has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, we want to demonstrate that all organisations can achieve positive results one change at a time
Commenting on the findings, Vincent de Rul, director of energy solutions at EDF Energy, said: “Energy efficiency has been a UK-wide focus for a number of years, but our analysis of these hospitals shows that the majority can still make meaningful carbon reductions that result in significant savings – through very-simple changes.
“Our data covers a relatively-small proportion of the UK’s hospitals – so imagine what the impact would be if all UK hospitals were able to make even the simplest of changes, whether that be efficient lighting or occupancy sensors?
“As the UK has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, we want to demonstrate that all organisations can achieve positive results one change at a time.”
