Augusta University Medical Center receives third Energy Star certification

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University Medical Center has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s prestigious Energy Star designation for a third time. Augusta University Medical Center is the only hospital in Georgia that holds this designation for 2016 and, as of April, is one of only six medical centers in the country with the certification.

To qualify, the Medical Center met strict energy performance standards set by EPA and earned a score of 75 or higher, indicating it performs better than at least 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide. Hospitals that earn Energy Star certification emit, on average, 35 percent less greenhouse gas emissions compared to their peers.

Augusta University Medical Center first received Energy Star certification in 2012. It also received Energy Star certification in 2015.

“We applaud once again Chris Miller and our Facilities Division for their ongoing efforts to ensure that our clinical facilities earn the top rating for energy and water conservation and for minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. It is exceedingly important in our role as stewards of great health that we do our part as well to help take care of this planet we call home. These efforts have the additional benefit of helping keep our costs down without compromising quality,” said Dr. Peter F. Buckley, Dean of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and Interim CEO, Augusta University Medical Center & Medical Associates.

The Medical Center formed a Utilities Management Committee in 2006 to track energy costs and consumption. The comprehensive evaluation of energy performance focused on existing operations equipment and systems; retro-commissioning existing equipment to optimize operational efficiency; and continuous identification of energy-reducing opportunities for improving the facility’s overall energy performance.

The committee then identified several energy-saving improvements, including a hospital-wide lighting retrofit and variable speed drive and steam trap replacements. Energy-saving projects also included programmed air handler scale back schedules in unoccupied spaces and lighting sensors throughout the hospital.