Southern New Hampshire Health (SNHH) is partnering with Eversource to modernize its acute care campus and off-site facilities with energy efficiency upgrades that will help reduce the hospital’s energy and maintenance costs, in addition to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the comfort of its patients. This comprehensive, three-year plan supports SNHH’s commitment to improving and supporting the health and well-being of individuals living in the greater Nashua area with access to exceptional medical care services. Eversource’s partnership with SNHH is just one example of the many ways the energy company is working with homeowners, renters, businesses, non-profits, educational institutions and municipalities across the Granite State to help them save money and energy.
“The savings Southern New Hampshire Health is achieving through energy efficiency directly impacts its bottom line, stimulating future growth and investments that enhance patient care services,” said Eversource Vice President of Energy Efficiency Tilak Subrahmanian. “We commend Southern New Hampshire Health for its holistic approach to enhancing the energy efficiency of its campus and we look forward to our continued partnership to advance economic development and a clean energy future in the Granite State.”
As part of SNHH’s agreement with Eversource, the healthcare provider will receive technical assistance and engineering support to complete several planned upgrades, as well as incentives to offset the costs of installing new, energy-efficient equipment. Proposed projects include replacing rooftop air handling units with more efficient models at the health care provider’s facilities in Nashua, replacing the hospital’s supply air fans with an efficient fan wall and installing more efficient heat pumps throughout its facilities. Additionally, energy efficiency will be an important consideration as SNHH plans to renovate its Digestive Health Center and upgrade patient rooms in the coming years. A significant project to enhance air flow in SNHH’s main hospital, which was designed more than twenty years ago, is already under way. This upgrade will help reduce the facility’s electricity use by 30 percent, while maintaining the comfort of patients and employees.
“Our continued partnership with Eversource will support the sustainable growth of our campus in a way that puts the care of our patients first,” said Vice President of Facilities and Emergency Management Scott Cote. “The numerous upgrades we completed over the last several years with the support of Eversource’s energy efficiency programs have enhanced the reliability of our equipment, as well as services for our patients. Additionally, our investment in energy efficiency has reduced our operating and maintenance costs, which have been defrayed as our footprint and occupancy have grown.”
SNHH partnered with Eversource to replace a chiller in its main hospital in 2016, which reduced its annual energy costs by $55,000. Additionally, the healthcare provider completed an extensive indoor and outdoor LED lighting upgrade project in 2015, which has significantly reduced its maintenance costs, improved the quality of its lighting and provided enhanced controls.
“Prior to our LED lighting upgrade, replacing light bulbs was a month-long effort for several of our facilities team members that required renting expensive equipment,” said Mechanical and Utility Systems Manager Scott Lever. “We have seen remarkable savings both in energy costs and in reduced labor costs since upgrading to LED lighting. The quality of the lighting is brighter and crisper for our patients and visitors, and we have greater control of our usage through motion sensors. These upgrades have helped make a meaningful impact for our patients and our employees dedicated to providing the most advanced and highest quality care.”