Did you know the UK’S healthcare sector spends more than £400m a year on energy? It’s never been more important to get savvy with energy use to save money, reduce our carbon emissions and work towards a Net Zero Carbon health and care system.
Energy consumption at CHP sites is the largest contributor to our building portfolio’s carbon footprint and makes up a significant amount of our tenants’ occupancy charges. The CHP team are working closely with our landlords’ service provider colleagues to improve efficiency and optimise energy performance across the CHP estate.
Alongside the physical improvements, the importance of building user actions cannot be underestimated. CHP staff undertake ‘energy awareness’ courses as part of their continuing professional development.
Heating
Heating can account for as much as 60% of energy use, so it’s a good place to start when looking for ways to save energy. Just 1°c of overheating can increase fuel costs by 8%. So make sure the heating isn’t turned up in areas where it’s not needed.
Tell your Operations and Relationship Manager (ORM) or facilities team if any areas are too hot, cold, or draughty; this could indicate a maintenance problem.
Report temperature issues and the facilities team can look to reprogramme the heating or air conditioning and review thermostat locations. Too much sunlight or cold air could interfer with how they work.
Did you know – turning the thermostat up to its maximum setting doesn’t warm up a room any faster? It just leads to overheating.
Lighting
Lighting makes up more than 35% of electricity usage. Switch off lights in rooms that aren’t in use, and encourage colleagues to do the same! Report any faulty or inadequate lighting, windows, skylights, light fittings, timers, and sensors to keep them working efficiently and effectively.
Check lists to reduce energy consumption in CHP buildings:
Lighting check:
- Is lighting switched off in unoccupied areas?
- Are lights on during daylight hours?
- Are light switches labelled/lighting zones identified?
- Are external lights on during the day?
Equipment check:
- Is non-essential (admin/office equipment) switched off overnight and at weekends?
- Are energy saving features on computers and other equipment activated (including photocopiers)? e.g screensavers, auto power down.
- Are kettles in use as well as instant hot water boilers in same location?
- Are multiple appliances/equipment in use in the same room (e.g fridges and kettles in kitchens/staff rooms).
Heating check:
- Are the heating and air conditioning operating at the same time in the same place?
- Are windows open when the heating is on?
- Ensure that radiators are free from obstructions.
- Avoid using your own heaters or fans as these interfere with the heating system and programming.
Air Conditioning check:
- Use natural ventilation design features before reaching for the A/C
- Is it possible to reduce heat loads by closing blinds to reduce solar gain and switch off unnecessary lights and electrical equipment?
- Ensure air conditioning is turned off in meeting rooms when people leave.
Water use check
- Are there any dripping taps?
- Is there evidence of water leaks? (e.g. wet pathways on a dry day)
- Is water escaping from overflows either inside or outside buildings?
Windows check
- Are any window panes cracked or broken?
- Are window trickle vents operational?
- Is there evidence of problems with double glazing? (e.g. moisture between panes)
Spot any of the issues above? Speak to your CHP Operations and Relationship Manager
Energy walks at CHP buildings
Our ORMs undertake a quarterly Energy Walk to survey each site and look for ways to reduce energy wastage. If you have an idea to save energy in your building please discuss this with your ORM and the sustainability team at CHP. Also CHP has a team of Technical Managers who can advise on issues.
Support and advice
An essential component of an energy-saving drive is educating healthcare staff about the importance of energy conservation. Training programmes can support a culture of sustainability, encouraging employees to adopt practices that minimise energy consumption in their daily activities.
CHP is committed to supporting tenants on their sustainability journey.
Tenants can access Sustainability resources via e-learning for healthcare (www.e-lfh.org.uk/), formally part of Health Education England. Course information and sign-up details are available below:
- Environmentally Sustainable Healthcare Courses including ‘Building a Net Zero NHS’:
e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/environmentally-sustainable-healthcare/ - HealthCare Waste Management and Disposal:
e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/healthcare-waste-management-and-disposal/
Contact the Energy Saving Trust (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk) for more information on energy saving
- at home Top tips for saving energy at home (PDF)
- at work A guide to energy efficiency for employees – Energy Saving Trust
Greener NHS: www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs
CHP Tenant Hub
The hub covers information for CHP tenants on health and safety, sustainability, facilities management including HardFM, and SoftFM, leases, charges and billing.
In addition there is information on bookable rooms and filming at our premises.
Contact the sustainability team at CHP
Have you got an idea to save energy in your building?
If you are a tenant, an ICS or Trust partner, and want to know more about how CHP can support your sustainability plans, please contact your local CHP Property and Operations team or our CHP Sustainability team.
If any tenants have questions about Sustainability at CHP, our Green plan or any other net zero project please contact the Sustainability team via sustainability@communityhealthpartnerships.co.uk and copy in the ORM for your building.
Sustainability at CHP
As part of the NHS family, CHP supports the NHS ambition to deliver the world’s first net zero health system. Sustainable Facilities are one of our five strategic aims and Sustainability is one of our four corporate social responsibility pillars. Aligning with the NHS target of achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2040, the team at CHP are committed to achieve Net Zero Carbon for the LIFT estate by 2040 and 2030 for our corporate functions.
