Leading energy conservation firm has implemented a range of LED lighting and other energy saving solutions for Chicago-area healthcare system, resulting in a total annual savings of $1.9 million
CHICAGO & HINGHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fairbanks Energy Services, a full-service design/build energy conservation firm and developer of comprehensive commercial and industrial efficiency projects, announces today the completion of a series of energy efficiency upgrades for Edward-Elmhurst Health, one of the largest integrated healthcare systems in Illinois. The net result of the project was a dramatic reduction in lighting energy use that paid for itself in less than three years.
The lighting retrofit took place throughout 2017 at 10 different locations across the three main Edward-Elmhurst campuses. A turn-key solution, the project replaced or retrofitted more than 38,000 inefficient halogen, incandescent, fluorescent and metal halide fixtures with modern LEDs. A variety of indoor spaces were improved through the initiative, including: common areas, nurse stations, cafeterias, offices, mechanical rooms, conference rooms, fitness centers and parking areas. To further enhance the lighting at the Edward and Elmhurst campuses, Fairbanks Energy optimized the existing lighting controls system at these locations to include a new scheme that includes daylight harvesting, scheduling and dimming capabilities.
Fairbanks Energy utilized a variety of best practices unique to energy efficiency projects at hospitals and healthcare facilities, including:
- Minimizing patient and staff impact by only implementing the upgrades in areas that had no disruption to their daily operations
- Ensuring continuous uptime in the mission critical environment by preventing interruptions to the facilities’ power supplies while the work was taking place
- Taking precautions to avoid the potential risk of contamination, such as utilizing dust containment carts while installing fixtures in sensitive areas
As a result of these efforts, annual electrical consumption for Edward-Elmhurst Health has been reduced by 15,882,479 kWh, which is 70% of their previous annual lighting energy usage. This translates to an annual financial savings of $1,968,143 for the healthcare system, as well as a multitude of other important benefits like: better patient care through customizable lighting options, improved working conditions for the staff, increased safety on the campuses, and making a tangible positive impact on the Chicagoland environment.
“I am delighted with the tremendous energy and cost savings that Edward-Elmhurst Health has achieved through this energy efficiency program,” said Rob Golden, Director of Midwest Business Development for Fairbanks Energy Services. “Their comprehensive efforts to conserve power have been impressive and an excellent example of the important role that modern lighting and controls can have on a company’s bottom line. Most importantly, we were able to optimize the different facilities without impacting the staff and patient experience during their stay.”
“Edward-Elmhurst Health is delighted for the opportunity to work on these energy efficiency upgrades with Fairbanks Energy Services,” said Mary Lou Mastro, System CEO, Edward-Elmhurst Health. “Thanks to these efforts, our hospital system has benefited enormously from the reductions in energy and operational costs that the new lighting system has generated. Through this investment, the people who depend on Edward-Elmhurst will see increased benefits not only today, but in the years to come.”
About Edward-Elmhurst Health
Comprised of three hospitals – Edward Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital and Linden Oaks Behavioral Health – Edward-Elmhurst Health has annual revenues of more than $1.3 billion, nearly 70 locations across a service area of 1.7 million residents in the west and southwest suburbs of Chicago, nearly 8,500 employees, including 1,900 nurses with 2,000 physicians on staff, plus 1,300 volunteers. Edward-Elmhurst has earned a reputation as a healthcare leader by providing advanced cardiac care, state-of-the-art cancer diagnosis and treatment, and world class stroke care. Edward-Elmhurst also offers the latest imaging technology, care for critically ill newborns, minimally invasive surgery, newest clinical trials and mental health services through Linden Oaks Behavioral Health. Edward and Elmhurst are the 8th and 18th largest hospitals, respectively, in the Chicago area according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Both organizations are recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as Magnet hospitals for nursing excellence, an honor achieved by only seven percent of the nation’s 6,000 hospitals.
About Fairbanks Energy Services
Fairbanks Energy Services is a full-service design/build energy conservation firm dedicated to providing cost-effective retrofit solutions for our clients. Our comprehensive approach and deep knowledge of federal, state and municipal incentive programs allows us to identify, develop and install solutions that maximize savings while minimizing capital outlay. The team’s 30 years of experience in providing energy conservation services for commercial and industrial clients throughout the country allows Fairbanks Energy to create energy-saving solutions that are also aligned with the comfort, aesthetics, and budgetary needs of clients and their employees.
Learn more at http://www.fairbanksenergy.com.
Read the full release at Business Wire.
