Healthcare facilities looking to increase their energy efficiency should consider integrating their lighting and HVAC systems, according to an article on the Medical Construction & Design website.
A lighting audit could also identify opportunities to increase daylight harvesting, which has been shown to improve patient outcomes as well as cut costs. Integrated lighting control systems can maximize the amount of daylight in a particular area, supplementing outdoor lighting to maintain the ideal lighting level.
HVAC systems can help maintain optimum indoor temperature, air circulation and humidity levels and address such issues as indoor air quality, the article said.
In most hospitals, lighting and HVAC systems are operated independently, but advanced building automation technology can integrate lighting and HVAC controls into a single automated platform. The result is often greater comfort and reduced energy consumption.
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