An enviromental initiative at a WA Hospital will not only save money, but reduce the hospital's carbon dioxide emissions by 230 tonnes per year
St John of God Hospital in Murdoch, Western Australia has installed solar panels on its roof to assist with hot water heating making it one of the largest arrays in a healthcare facility in that state.
Solar panels have been installed on the roof of the building to provide heating for the hospital’s hot water system. The panels are not visible at ground level from within or outside the hospital campus. In the future, additional solar panels can be installed as the hospital grows to meet increased demand.
St John of God Hospital Murdoch chief executive officer Peter Mott said the panels were just one way the hospital was looking to reduce its impact on the environment.
“Previously the hospital used approximately 40,000 litres of water per day for hot water purposes, which was heated by gas fired steam boilers. The new initiative will reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 230 tons per year and result in savings of 13 per cent (3.75TJ) in the annual gas consumption,” Mott said.
“We’ve taken a proactive and responsible approach to the hospital’s environmental impact including audits on energy, water and lighting to identify potential savings and efficiencies,” he said. “We have invested in other new and efficient technologies such as intelligent chiller controls and modernised air conditioning systems and, in the last 12 months, we’ve reduced energy consumption by 4.7 per cent and water consumption by 14 per cent.”
“We have a significant role to play in the community as a good corporate citizen and this proactive approach to our impact on the environment is very much in keeping with the mission and values of St John of God,” added Mott.
These initiatives are consistent with the St John of God Health Care Five Year Strategy which requires good environmental stewardship by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and reducing reliance on non-renewable resources.
Further redevelopment will add 165 beds, eight theatres, a medical clinic and a comprehensive cancer centre by 2015, making a significant contribution to meeting the health care needs of Perth’s booming southern population corridor.