Energy consumptions in Hospitals: preliminary results of the ICEOs Project

The ICEO Project quantifies the thermal and electrical energy consumption in hospitals of an Italian region (Lazio Region). 26 out of the 57 (45,6%) hospitals of the region were selected for a questionnaire in order to acquire information about activities, structural characteristics, technologies and the energetic consumption during the years 2001-2003. Only 61,5% of the selected hospitals supplied the required information. The consumption data show a great variability between hospitals, not always explained by their technological level or by their complexity. In Italy the energy consumption for housing and other civilian uses is increasing and today it represents the third part of the total energetic consumption. To reduce consumption, economic solutions should be adopted such as effective maintenance programs. It could be also useful to increase the adoption of renewable energetic sources and of a strong training program for the hospital staff.