University Health Care System
University Health Care System set a new standard for patient environments through a comprehensive and energy-efficient lighting upgrade, to maximize safety and quality of care in their multi-building facility.
Reduced kW demand
kWh reduced energy
Forecasted savings in the first year
Background
The University Health Care System (now Piedmont Augusta) is anchored by the 581-bed community hospital located in downtown Augusta, Georgia. The hospital was first established in 1818, making it the second-oldest hospital in Georgia. In addition to its main campus, University Health Care System has campuses in South Augusta and in the suburbs of Martinez and Evans.
UHCS it is one of the region’s top hospitals and is committed to quality care and believes that the patient environment plays an important role in maximizing safety, quality of service, and positive healthcare outcomes.
Situation
UHCS has a multi-building and multi-purpose facility that needed to replace all of its obsolete T12 lighting technology while also standardizing its lighting system and making it more energy efficient. Approved funding required at least a 3-year payback period for the project. However, given the vastly different lighting requirements throughout the facility, a comprehensive lighting plan had to be developed based on a thorough room-by-room audit. UHCS found that local lighting contractors and manufacturers were unable to provide a comprehensive and turnkey approach.
Solution
Eco Engineering was one of the few businesses that was able to meet UCHS’ unique project requirements. After auditing each room in the facility, we developed a custom design that upgraded a total of 500 fixtures and ensured that our design met all lighting, safety, and healthcare requirements. The energy-efficient lighting design incorporated T8 fixtures and the elimination and proper disposal of all non-standard lighting throughout the facility.
We implemented LED technology across the production, office, and exterior work areas of this multi-building facility. This included installing new LED high bay fixtures in the production area, LED retrofit kits for existing ceiling troffers in the offices, and LED wall pack and pole lights across the exterior areas of the facility.
To reduce fixture operating hours, we also deployed occupancy sensors and daylight controls across the work areas to save energy when the rooms were not occupied or additional lighting was unnecessary.
Energy Savings
The project achieved substantial energy savings while creating a brighter, safer, and more uplifting visual environment for patients and staff.
- Annual Demand Reductions: >6,764 kW over the first year
- Forecasted Annual Consumption Savings: 4,627,896 kWh per year
Incentives
Coupled with the credits earned from a rebate program offered by local utility provider Georgia Power, the estimated total project payback period was 2.8 years, meeting all financial requirements associated with the renovation.
- Total Energy Savings: $443,628 within the first year.