Jefferson to Save $3 Million + in Annual Energy Costs

Thomas Jefferson University, (TJU) and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, along with other Jefferson Health System (JHS) members and affiliates, have entered into an agreement with Energy Assets, a division of Exelon Energy, to make $20 million in facility improvements during the next several years. These improvements will save energy costs, cut down on pollution, and improve the working environment. In addition, the money used to fund these projects will come from money saved on energy expenses rather than using capital funds.

The arrangement is the result of a year-long evaluation by the Jefferson Health System of three energy service providers. Each provider performed an audit of three buildings on several campuses to propose projects for infrastructure improvements. “Energy Assets was chosen for its technical expertise, pool of resources and customer service,” explains Ron Bowlan, Assistant Vice President, Facilities Management Department, TJU, and Chairman, JHS Energy Services Committee. “And, Energy Assets, through its relationship with PECO Energy under the Exelon parent company, has a solid history in the Philadelphia area.”
During the next eight months, Energy Assets will audit energy systems and practices at the hospital and university. In addition, audits will take place at Main Line Health, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Frankford Hospitals, Magee Rehabilitation, as well as affiliate members Riddle Memorial Hospital, Atlanticare and Underwood Memorial Hospital. Based on the audits, recommendations will be made for facility upgrades. Energy Assets provides the money up front for these projects with facilities paying on the improvements from the savings realized from the upgrades.

Some projects, identified during the trial audit, includeupgrading florescent lighting, placing variable speed drives on fans and chillers, and implementing water conservation techniques. “These upgrades, along with saving energy costs, have the added benefit of improving the work environment for employees and patients,” says George Brainard, PhD, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Light Research Program, TJU. “The florescent lighting upgrades alone will increase illumination in the workplace as well as reduce the adverse effects sometimes caused by older style florescent lighting such as headaches, eyestrain and irritability.”

“Besides facilities improvements, the agreement with Energy Assets includes future projects so the JHS member institutions can take a more proactive approach to managing future energy supply purchases,” says Randolph Haines, Energy Manager, Facilities Management Department, TJU and JHS Energy Services Committee. These efforts will continue to cut costs and provide greater reliability in the energy services we depend on. 

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