Sustainability Focus: UP Health System – Portage Receives 2023 ENERGY STAR® Certification

UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage) was recently recognized for its "superior energy performance" with a 2023 ENERGY STAR® certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The facility's high score of 93 indicates that it's more energy efficient than 93 percent of similar properties nationwide—an accomplishment reached through recent building upgrades that promote energy conservation and sustainability. 

We're celebrating this accomplishment during Earth Week with UPHS – Portage Facilities Director Glenn Patrick, who did a Q&A to provide insight on projects completed throughout the hospital that have made this attainable. 

Q: Tell us about some recent upgrades within the UPHS – Portage facility that have helped us achieve this high energy efficiency score.

A: The hospital facility lighting was converted from fluorescent to LED bulbs, which require significantly less energy to power and have a much longer lifespan. Also, many rooms had motion sensors installed to minimize the occurrence of lights on in empty rooms.

We also upgraded the hospital’s temperature control system or Building Automation System (BAS). There were many components to this upgrade:

• Reduced airflow in rooms to the minimum required amounts
• Added occupancy sensors in the operating rooms
• Reduced the amount of outside air entering through the air handling systems to minimum required amounts
• Replaced thermostats and controllers for various equipment
• Recommissioned, or recalibrated, all of the control sequences and actuators on the air handling equipment throughout the facility.

With these modifications, the large air handling systems, boilers, chillers, and pumps operate at lower capacities, saving considerable amounts of electricity and natural gas.   

Q: Why do you think it’s important to continually work toward energy efficiency and sustainability in our buildings?

A: It is always important to control expenses in healthcare, or any business for that matter. Healthcare facilities have some of the highest energy use per square foot, so utility expenses are quite large. Significantly reducing utility costs is a great way to allow UPHS – Portage to invest more in patient care.

Q: What does this award mean for our facility and/or our community?

A: In its basic form, it means that we are functioning better than 93 percent of similar buildings nationwide. As one of the area’s largest employers, Portage is leading by example. 

Q: Any upcoming plans or ideas on ways to further improve our energy efficiency or reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

A: In coming years, future energy conservation projects include improving the efficiency of our air conditioning system by adding a high-efficiency magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller and converting our nursing home lighting from fluorescent to LED. 

To learn more about the EPA ENERGY STAR® recognition, visit www.energystar.gov.