With economic factors in the minds of public sector bodies across the UK, many are opting to explore energy efficiency initiatives in order to reduce energy bills and encourage sustainability across the sector.
One way in which these public sector bodies are looking to improve their energy efficiency is to upgrade outdated facilities which are high in operating costs, money which could be otherwise be spent on maintaining vital public services.
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust provide acute care for southern Northamptonshire and is just one example of a Trust that is championing energy efficiency initiatives. Recognising that improving its energy efficiency could improve its financial savings, the Trust sought to upgrade its energy consuming technologies and as a first step expressed an interest in upgrading lighting across the hospital to a more energy efficient technology.
The Trust required the up-front capital to implement their initial proposals and so in order to overcome this obstacle; they approached Salix Finance, a government-funded, not-for-profit organisation. Salix distribute interest-free loans to the public sector across the UK to improve their energy efficiency. The loans are then paid back from the savings made to the energy bills. With financial support from Salix, the Trust engaged in a rolling programme to replace a large number of its lighting fittings across Northampton General Hospital.
Lighting upgrades, including LED and lighting controls, with an investment value of over £590k were implemented across the hospital, which saw the Trust benefit from immediate financial savings to its energy bills, as well as reduced costs in terms of maintenance requirements.
The collaboration with Salix also saw the installation of sensors in areas with low operating hours, such as the library and the medical records department, meaning lights are automatically switched off when the rooms are not in use. The replacement of lighting in stairwells, which are lit 24 hours a day, have also proven to be particularly effective in generating a substantial reduction in energy use.
The new LED lighting fixtures also have a five year lifetime guarantee, with no disposal issues due to the lack of mercury, providing further cost cutting benefits.
Because of the nature of the new LED technologies utilised throughout the hospital buildings, maintenance costs and requirements will be significantly reduced meaning that expenditure is reduced even further. The transformational lighting programme is expected to save the Trust over £162k each year.
Commenting on the refurbishment, Clare Topping, Energy and Sustainability Manager at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust said: “The loans from Salix have allowed us to access energy efficiency measures much sooner than would otherwise be the case. Not only has this helped to keep us on track to achieving our 2020 Carbon target but we have also improved the environment for staff.”
Hannah Taylor, Programme Manager at Salix said “As part of the Trust’s commitment to delivering a sustainable healthcare service they have managed to significantly reduce carbon emissions whilst improving the environment for both staff and patients in a cost neutral way. The Trust is looking to continue to work closely with Salix in the coming years to install further LED lighting across their wards.”
For more information on the projects Salix have worked with please see: www.salixfinance.co.uk
