Gifford Health Care recently joined an energy management partnership of nine hospitals coordinated by Efficiency Vermont. The partnership, Continuous Energy Improvement (CEI), will provide Gifford with technical assistance, education, and support to develop a comprehensive approach to energy management in order to reduce waste, improve energy performance over time, and cut costs.
As a CEI partner, Gifford’s main focus will be its Critical Access Hospital, Gifford Medical Center, which in 2015 achieved ENERGY STAR® certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), placing the facility in the top 25 percent of energy-efficient hospitals in the United States. However, CEI outreach and education will reach all Gifford locations throughout central Vermont and the Upper Valley.
“The CEI partnership reinforces Gifford Health Care’s commitment to energy efficiency, which strengthens our bottom line and enables us to further invest in patient services and facility improvements,” said Gifford President and CEO Dan Bennett. “We look forward to working with Efficiency Vermont to assess current energy performance and develop a comprehensive plan to continually improve performance at Gifford Medical Center, as well as share outreach and education with team members across all Gifford clinics.”
Efficiency Vermont will provide Gifford and other CEI partner hospitals with energy performance assessments, education in identifying savings opportunities, recommendations for optimal approaches, and assistance in creating long-term energy-management plans and employee engagement strategies. In addition, representatives of partner hospitals will participate in workshops, member-facility walkthroughs, and networking events to gain awareness of best practices.
“These hospitals have some of the largest energy needs in the state,” said Efficiency Vermont Director Karen Glitman. “They’ve made a commitment to prioritize energy considerations in every aspect of their operations. As a result, they’ll see a significantly greater return on their efficiency investments than by viewing energy savings as a series of unrelated upgrades. In other words, they’re not only installing efficient equipment, they’re also using it in the most efficient way for their specific needs.”
The CEI partnership aims to save participating hospitals more than a combined $195,000 in yearly energy costs.
“We have seen the CEI approach result in profound benefits to numerous industries we work with in Vermont,” said Glitman. “It’s a privilege to apply these approaches to help strengthen the viability of hospitals, which are essential to the communities they serve. Lower operating costs that result from energy efficiency will provide new funds for these hospitals to invest in their facilities and patient services, which will benefit Vermonters throughout the state.”
“Being more energy efficient not only helps us achieve our financials goals, but also decreases our carbon footprint and contributes to improved air quality in Vermont,” said Gifford Facilities Manager Patrick Giordano.
For more information about Gifford, visit giffordhealthcare.org or email . For more information about Efficiency Vermont, visit efficiencyvermont.com.
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