Hospitals are more aggressively seeking a green building contractor to construct or remodel their medical institution using an earth-friendly approach. Should you decide to implement more sustainable facilities in your hospital, Ausonio Incorporated offers five tips for eco-friendly hospital builds and conversions.
- Recycled Material
- Natural Lighting Installations
- Green Roofing
- Passive Ventilation Installs
- Green Energy Storage Options
1. Using Recycled Materials
An easy and efficient means of fostering sustainability is to talk to your medical building contractor about using recycled and reclaimed materials. This helps reduce waste and conserves natural resources while reducing greenhouse gases.
Some options to consider for your facility should include the following.
- Recycled Glass Windows
- Sustainable Flooring Material
- Recycled Lumber
- Bricks Made From Refuse
2. Making The Most Of Natural Lighting
Natural lighting brightens spaces throughout the hospital and reduces electrical use, which lowers overhead costs and the facility’s environmental impact. According to numerous studies, skylights and oversized windows in patient’s rooms have benefits that include:
- Improved Mood
- Faster Healing
- Better Sleep Patterns
- Reducing Bacteria
3. Opting For Green Roofs
Green roofing products are excellent insulators and absorb stormwater, which decreases polluted runoff and electricity usage. Green roofs may be partial additions or cover the whole hospital roof. They can become a community center for patients and visitors while allowing patients to chat.
Being stuck in a hospital room or handling patients all day can be stressful, and some lush greenery and foliage, along with sunshine, can alleviate some stress. Furthermore, plants and trees that surround your facility will also help to create more oxygen and absorb toxic odors.
4. Incorporating Passive Ventilation
A must-have in hospitals that want to go green are sustainable ventilation systems that work alongside HVACs to get ventilation throughout the building. Passive systems allow allergens and chemicals exacerbating a patient’s symptoms to escape occupied areas. Unpolluted air is pivotal to the recovery of patients and aids in preventing others from becoming sick.
5. Investing In Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is one of the best ways that hospitals can become more independent in the realm of energy use. Meanwhile, this approach reduces the facility’s carbon footprint. Some systems are taking a more aggressive approach by investing in net-zero energy consumption.
Hospitals rely on energy, so should these systems fail temporarily, energy storage, backup batteries, and generators can fill those gaps.
In The Market For A Skilled Medical Contractor?
Ausonio Incorporated is an experienced green hospital builder near Salinas, CA, that serves Monterey County, San Benito County, and Santa Cruz County in California. We take pride in being familiar with green building trends and employing sustainable construction methods, so contact us to learn more.