The American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) announces that it received the 2021 Energy Star Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy for the third year in a row, marking the fifth consecutive year that ASHE has won an Energy Star Partner of the Year Award. This award recognizes ASHE’s continued leadership and superior contributions to Energy Star.
 
“Receiving this award for a fifth year recognizes our members’ ongoing dedication to creating more sustainable healthcare facilities,” says Kara Brooks, ASHE sustainability manager. “We are excited to build on our previous success and support hospitals in achieving their goals.”

ASHE provides resources and programs specifically 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 $500 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 3,600 facilities are participating.
  • More hospitals are reducing energy use quickly. For example, 255 hospitals—representing 7% of facilities in the program—reduced consumption by 10% in a single year and earned a 2020 Energy to Care Award.
  • 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 444 in 2020.

Winners are selected from a network of thousands of Energy Star partners. For a complete list of 2021 winners and more information about Energy Star’s awards program, visit energystar.gov/awardwinners