Hospitals are among the most energy-intensive facilities, operating non-stop to meet critical health and safety standards. With constant demands for hot water, sterilization, and climate control, their energy costs can be substantial. This continuous operation uniquely positions hospitals to benefit from waste heat recovery systems, which can significantly reduce energy expenses and environmental impact.
Hospitals operate 24/7, with energy demands that exceed those of typical commercial buildings. In fact, hospitals use 2.5 to 2.75 times more energy per square foot than the average commercial facility. This is largely due to critical systems like sterilization, HVAC, water heating, and refrigeration, which are needed to maintain health and safety standards.
Energy costs reflect this demand. A survey by Grumman/Butkus Associates reported that hospitals spent $3.75 per square foot on energy in 2022, up from $3.16 the previous year. For a 500,000-square-foot hospital, this comes out to nearly $2 million annually.
This energy consumption directly contributes to the sector's carbon footprint, which accounts for about 8.5% of U.S. carbon emissions. 36% of that is attributed to hospitals, and 12% is attributed to physician and clinical services. Looking more globally, the healthcare industry is responsible for 4.4% of net emissions. With growing regulatory pressure to reduce carbon footprints, hospitals must adopt technologies that align with sustainability goals.
Waste heat recovery (WHR) systems tackle this issue by capturing and recycling waste heat, which decreases the need for fossil fuels for heating. This slashes both costs and greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, a hospital using WHR in its boiler systems can cut CO₂ emissions by hundreds of metric tons each year, aiding in compliance with environmental standards and boosting its sustainability profile.
While WHR systems may have high initial costs, the long-term savings often justify the investment. Facilities typically see payback within three to five years through lower energy bills and financial incentives such as federal tax credits, utility rebates, and grants for energy efficiency.
For example, Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital in Wisconsin installed WHR units on its boiler systems. They recouped their investment in just over a year. The system now saves the hospital more than $14,000 annually in fuel costs. Similar success stories highlight the financial viability of WHR in healthcare settings.
A similar story comes from a large teaching hospital in the UK, which opted for a condensing heat recovery system. This move cut daily CO₂ emissions by 7 metric tons and saved the hospital over £500,000 each year on fuel. The system also reduced gas usage by more than 1.5 MW, helping the hospital live up to its commitment to the environment while proving financially wise, with savings kicking in less than three years after the installation.
The most direct application of ATW waste heat recovery within hospitals and healthcare facilities is boiler feedwater preheating. Using captured waste heat to preheat boiler feedwater cuts down on the energy needed to heat the water. This not only saves fuel but also helps the boiler last longer and run better.
Hospitals rely heavily on their boilers for hot water and steam production, which powers all kinds of processes and operations around the facility:
Key sources of waste heat include the flue gases from boilers themselves, which contain high-temperature exhaust that can be captured and reused rather than being vented out. HVAC systems can also contribute through the heat expelled during the cooling processes. Then there’s the exhaust from cooling medical equipment like MRI and CT scanners and exhaust from kitchen vent hoods.
By redirecting these sources of waste heat to preheat boiler feedwater, hospitals can significantly reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint, turning routine operations into key components of their sustainability initiatives.
Introducing waste heat recovery (WHR) systems in healthcare facilities starts with a strategic plan:
Begin with a comprehensive audit of energy use throughout your facility. Pay special attention to high-energy systems like boilers, HVAC, and sterilization equipment. Quantify the heat wasted in these systems and identify the most significant opportunities for recovery. Partnering with energy consultants or using advanced audit tools can help pinpoint where WHR will have the biggest impact.
Target systems with high heat output and constant use. Start with boilers, where preheating feedwater can significantly reduce fuel consumption. Laundry operations, with their heavy use of washers and dryers, are also a good option.
Look into energy efficiency grants, tax credits, and utility rebates to offset upfront costs. Many programs are designed specifically for healthcare facilities adopting green technologies. Document the projected savings from incentives alongside operational cost reductions to strengthen the financial case for WHR.
As hospitals and other healthcare facilities face the dual challenges of high operating costs and the need to cut down on environmental impact, turning to technologies like air-to-water waste heat recovery just makes sense. By repurposing waste heat into valuable energy, hospitals can achieve major cost savings while contributing to global sustainability goals.
ENERVEX offers a range of innovative, efficient, and versatile solutions to meet your ATW waste heat recovery needs. Facilities typically see significant reductions in fuel use and quick returns on investment with our VHX economizer and RTX Roof-Top Heat Exchanger. If you're ready to explore how ENERVEX can help your facility, reach out today!