Griffin Hospital in Derby participating in Energize Connecticut initiative

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DERBY - Griffin Hospital is participating in an energy efficiency initiative that will enhance its care for the community it serves and the environment.

As part of the Energize Connecticut initiative, Griffin is installing energy-saving equipment and upgrading lighting fixtures and HVAC systems that will increase energy efficiency and significantly reduce carbon emissions.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this initiative. The infrastructure improvements it has made possible allow us to fulfill our commitment to maintaining an exceptional healing environment,” said Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel. 

“As a Planetree patient-centered health care provider, we understand the benefits that incorporating natural elements and views of nature can have on the mind, body, and spirit of an individual which is why our award winning hospital architecture incorporates natural light and elements of the natural environment as much as possible. Improving the health and well-being of our patients and our community is our priority, and these energy efficiency upgrades ensure we will continue to keep our promise as a trusted and responsible caregiver and neighbor.”

The renovations began in July and are expected to take up to nine months to complete. They include upgrades to the hospital’s air handling system, hospital-wide light fixtures, HVAC, chilled water pumps, fans, motors, and dampers. The upgrades will reduce the hospital’s annual electricity usage by an estimated 17 percent which is equivalent to the energy used by 147 homes in one year. This reduction in electricity usage will also decrease more than 1,200 metric tons of annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

“In bringing this project to fruition, our team met with Griffin Health to understand their energy reduction goals, reviewed energy efficiency proposals from contractors, and qualified the installation incentive offer in the Energy Opportunities program in coordination with Eversource,” said Jim Beatrice, Lead Engineer at Avangrid (UI), who led UI’s energy efficiency team working with Griffin Health on the project. “In addition to significant reductions in electricity and gas usage, Griffin Health will also see side benefits, including reduced maintenance costs.”

Energize Connecticut is an initiative dedicated to empowering Connecticut to make smart energy choices, by providing consumers, businesses, and communities with the resources and information needed to save on energy costs and build a clean energy future for the state. 

The initiative is supported by the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, United Illuminating and Eversource.

Funding for Energize Connecticut comes from a charge on UI and Eversource customer energy bills. Through the initiative, UI will be providing Griffin an estimated $1 million in incentives with additional support from Eversource Energy for gas savings to make the energy-efficient upgrades.

“I am proud to see our team at United Illuminating work closely with Griffin Hospital on these important energy efficiency initiatives,” said Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of United Illuminating. “Installing energy-saving equipment and upgrades will provide both financial and sustainability benefits to this important community health institution, and the scale of the work reflects a continued partnership between UI and Griffin Health that serves the entire region.”

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.