Mercy Medical Center Earns Energy Star Certification

Original article by Christie Swanson of NWAOnline

Updated: Fri January 15, 2010

Mercy Medical Center joined a short list of hospitals nationwide to receive Energy Star certification for 2009.

The recognition is more than just the plaque displayed in the hospital’s lobby. It stands for energy and financial savings.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gives the certification. Energy Star qualified facilities use less energy, are less expensive to operate and create fewer greenhouse gas emissions than peer facilities.

Clark Reed, Energy Star healthcare facilities program manager, said Thursday at a ceremony at the hospital that 26 hospitals received the designation in 2009. Mercy joins the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital in Little Rock as the only Arkansas hospitals to receive the certification this year.

George McFerron, Mercy director of facilities, said he couldn't give an overall savings amount because they are still compiling information.

But some savings have already been recognized. Ed Tinsley, managing principal and chairman of the board for TME Inc., said changes in the heating and cooling system alone save the hospital $200,000.

"And that is ongoing savings," he said. ''The initial investment paid for itself in one year." TME is a Little Rock-based engineering firm that has worked with Mercy on achieving energy savings. The company has a branch office in Fayetteville.

Rogers Mayor Steve Womack said the designation sends a message to the community.

"We have to be good stewards, not just to Mother Earth, but also financially," he said.

Reed said extra money can be used many ways such as for more nurses, charity care or medical equipment.

Hospital spokesman Kyle Weaver said during construction of the new hospital, which opened in March 2008, they incorporated LEED building standards, but did not pursue LEED certification because it is too expensive.

LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The certification process is extensive.

The Energy Star designation also has an application process and must be earned annually.

The EPA uses a 100-point rating system gauging the "energy performance." Reed said a score of 50 is industry average and 75 is the minimum hospitals need to qualify.  Mercy scored 78.

Every month the hospital sees a report to gauge what is working and find areas for improvement.

Rick Barclay, vice president of human resources and Mercy Green Team chairperson, said the Green Team's next project is replacing polystyrene foam.

The hospital stopped using plastic bottles.  Barclay said they went from ordering 100 cases of water bottles a month to ordering none last month.

"They are still available at the cafeteria, but at a premium price," he said with a chuckle.

Other Green Team accomplishments last year included installation of automatic light sensors in some areas, turning off heating and air in unoccupied rooms and recycling.

By recycling, the hospital was able to eliminate one large trash bin, equaling a savings of about $20,000 annually.

Many of the cost-saving measures can't be seen by the public and fall on McFerron and his staff.

"We make sure everything runs efficiently," he said. "We are always looking for new technology."

A large portion of savings comes from heating and cooling systems that use natural elements like water and temperature.

Weaver said much of the system has been in place since the hospital opened.

"We are now learning how to optimize them," he said.

Mercy has two diesel generators for emergency use and through a partnership with Carroll Electric, the generators can provide electricity to the community at peak times.

In the last decade, almost 9,000 commercial buildings and 96 hospitals have received the Energy Star recognition.

Other Northwest Arkansas businesses receiving certification in 2009 are Kohl's Department Stores in Rogers and Fayetteville and the Clorox Company in Bentonville.

Northwest Medical Center-Springdale was certified in 2004 and 2006.