Two new hospitals under construction in Campbell River and the Comox Valley, British Columbia, set new standards in energy usage and carbon emission reductions, according to an article on the Campbell River Mirror website.

The hospitals will use roughly half the energy of the existing hospitals per square meter. The green-house gas (GHG) emissions will be 73 percent lower. 

A significant design feature for both hospitals is the heating plants. Most of the thermal energy that is needed to keep the buildings warm and produce hot water comes from each building’s own exhaust air. 

Other features that contribute to the energy efficient performance include higher levels of roof and wall insulation, higher performance windows, more efficient lighting (using LED technology) and lighting controls that include daylight sensors, and low flow plumbing fixtures to minimize water use inside the building.

Read the article.