The American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) announces that it has received the 2019 Energy Star Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award for continued leadership and superior contributions. ASHE’s accomplishments were recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., early this month.

ASHE, a professional membership group of the American Hospital Association and an Energy Star partner, was honored for its work to help healthcare facilities become more energy-efficient. “We are excited to build upon our previous success and to support hospitals and health systems in their efforts to advance the affordability of healthcare,” an organization representative notes.

ASHE provides resources and programs tailored for hospitals, which have unique energy needs due to their around-the-clock operation and energy-intensive medical equipment needed for patient care. ASHE’s energy to care program helps hospitals track energy use, become more efficient, and redirect energy savings toward patient care. Energy to Care challenges, awards, hosted programs and publications raise awareness of the importance of sustainability.

ASHE’s efforts have contributed to increased efficiency in hospitals across the country:

  • Hospitals in the Energy to Care program have saved more than $396 million in collective energy savings.
  • More hospitals are making the commitment to energy efficiency. In 2014, 239 facilities participated in Energy to Care. Today, more than 3,460 facilities are participating.
  • More hospitals are reducing energy use quickly. For example, 68 hospitals reduced consumption by 10% in a single year and earned a 2018 Energy to Care award—an increase of 30% from the year before.
  • More hospitals are reaching major efficiency accomplishments. The number of healthcare facilities in ASHE’s Energy to Care program with Energy Star scores of 75 or more increased from 110 in 2010 to 399 in 2018.

The highest honor among Energy Star awards is the Energy Star Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence Award. The EPA presents the award to partners that have already received partner of the year recognition for a minimum of two consecutive years and have gone above and beyond the criteria needed to qualify for recognition.