CRBH Earns National Recognition for Energy Reduction Efforts

Jason Knick, Engineering and Maintenance supervisor at CRBH, is proud of his team of five for the work they’ve done to earn CRBH its first ENERGY STAR certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“It takes a lot to make sure that our buildings run effectively and efficiently every day,” says Jason. “We want to do our part to show the community that not only are we trying to help them health-wise through the care that we provide, but also through our environmental impact, which affects public health."

CRBH recently updated to more energy-efficient plant operations equipment, including replacing boilers and chillers that previously dated to 1997. Walk-in coolers were also replaced in the hospital's dining and nutrition area. In addition to new equipment, all windows were caulked, doors were weather stripped and parking lot lights were updated to LED bulbs.

In the last five years, CRBH's energy conservation measures have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 270 metric tons. This is equivalent to:

• 32.5 homes’ energy use for one year
• 678,563 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle
• Carbon sequestered by 331 acres of U.S. forests in one year

The Engineering and Maintenance team is currently working to update the interior lights at CRBH by switching to LED bulbs. “They're more efficient, and we’re finding that for the most part, we’re able to get by with swapping one LED light for every two fluorescent lights,” adds Jason.

ENERGY STAR-certified buildings are verified to perform in the top 25% of buildings nationwide and go through a recertification process each year.

CRMH has earned this certification four out of the past five years, and we’re pursuing this standard of energy excellence at all of our hospitals that qualify.

For more information, contact Jason Knick, Engineering and Maintenance, at mjknick1@carilionclinic.org.