Hillcrest Hospital Second in EPA National Building Competition

commitment to cutting energy waste earned it second place among hospitals in the EPA 2011 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition.

Since May, teams from 245 buildings in 26 different category types participated in a competition to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. The overall winner was the University of Central Florida Parking Garage C, which cut energy use by 63.2 percent for an annual cost savings of $34.907.

Hillcrest Hospital reduced its energy use by 11.33 percent, representing a cost savings of $80,789 a year. The only hospital that cut usage more was St. Mark's Medical Center in La Grange, TX, which reduced energy use by 22.72 percent, saving $170,990 annually.

"We're very proud of the second place finish," said James M. Senick, Hillcrest Hospital administrative director of support services.  "We were well ahead six months ago and they jumped past us."

The competition measures improvement and Senick noted that the hospital isn't new to "green" efforts. "We've been doing this for a while," he said.

Earlier this year, Hillcrest Hospital received a Partner for Change Award from Practice Greenhealth, recognizing environmental excellence and high standards for environmental practices in health care.

To achieve the energy savings noted in the EPA competition, the hospital replaced 1,500 ballasts in light fixtures and 6,000 bulbs with more energy-efficient ones, often LED bulbs that last 10 to 15 years compared to the one- or two-year lifespan of conventional bulbs.

Outside fixtures were also replaced, as 40 lamps have new ballasts and bulbs. The hospital also has a "lights out" program encouraging employees to shut off light switches at the end of the day.

"It saves $160 an office per year," Senick said. "The Cleveland Clinic spends $1.73 per second on energy (systemwide)."

Although the EPA competition was limited to energy savings, the hospital's environmental efforts extend into other areas – in 16 months the hospital recycled 309 tons of plastic items, 213 tons of paper and 2,802 pounds of batteries.

"We're proud of what we've been doing," Senick said.