Energy consumption in hospitals: towards a new benchmark

Almost a third of the total energy usage in Italy is due to the building sector and in particular hospitals belong to a very energivorous sector. In fact, consumptions in the hospital sector are on average 3 times higher than the residential civil sector at the same climatic conditions (Grassi et al. 2009). This can be attributed to the many activities taking place within them and the need for heating and electrical systems operating 24 hours 24, 365 days a year, for essential functions (Battarra, Fistola and La Rocca 2016, 2-3). However, the energy consumption of health structures, may vary due to factors that affect the energy performance: hospital size, number of berths, year of construction, geographical location, exposure, climatic conditions, number of buildings, medical specialties, number and types of existing installations, type of management etc.