Media Contacts:
Julie Semancik/Tim Wirtz
Hoffman York
414-225-9568 / 414-225-9522
jsemancik@hyc.com
twirtz@hyc.com
– Focus on Energy’s Business Programs helps implement energy efficient improvements –
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (May 6, 2005) – Luther Midelfort – Mayo Health System will save more than $40,000 a year in energy costs by reducing its electricity consumption. The savings are a result of an upgrade to the central cooling plant at the healthcare facility. Luther Midelfort’s Director of Facility Services Bob Dubiel worked jointly with Focus on Energy’s Business Programs and program ally MEP Associates and Trane Company to increase energy efficiency and manage energy costs more effectively. The state’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative provided a $40,000 grant on this project.
“Managing energy costs in a hospital setting is an ongoing challenge,” said Dubiel. “We were excited to work with Focus on Energy because it helped us understand where we could save on energy costs and consumption, while positively impacting our bottom line.”
Since hospitals are often considered continuous-care facilities, one of the most cost effective methods in reducing operating costs is to improve on-site energy efficiency. Most hospitals are supplied with heating and cooling from large central plants. By making energy efficient improvements to the central plant, a hospital can lower its operating costs ensuring greater comfort, health and productivity for occupants.
“Focus on Energy is designed to assist healthcare facilities in controlling energy costs, said Dean Laube, Energy Advisor for Focus on Energy. “Many Wisconsin healthcare facilities use more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings. Energy consumption accounts for a growing percentage of operating costs so energy management is both a challenge and a great opportunity.”
There are a variety of other ways healthcare facilities can save money and energy including the installation of steam boilers, chillers, ventilation/heat recovery, pumps and fans, domestic hot water, and lighting.
For more information about saving opportunities at other healthcare facilities or Focus on Energy’s Business Programs, call Focus on Energy at 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.
About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is a public-private partnership offering energy information and services to energy utility customers throughout Wisconsin. The goals of this program are to encourage energy efficiency and use of renewable energy, enhance the environment and ensure the future supply of energy for Wisconsin. Since July 2001, the program has helped Wisconsin’s businesses and residents cut their utility bills by more than $61 million – reducing their energy consumption by more than
572 million kilowatt-hours and more than 27 million therms of natural gas. For more information, call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.
