Morganton hospital earns ENERGY STAR certification

UNC Health Blue Ridge’s Morganton hospital has earned ENERGY STAR certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency after receiving an energy performance score of 83.

The score means the hospital at 2201 S. Sterling St. performs more efficiently than 83% of similar healthcare facilities nationwide.

The certification is based on actual, verified energy performance and takes into account factors such as occupancy, hours of operation, and weather-normalized energy use.

Hospitals operate around the clock and require substantial energy to support patient care, medical equipment, and building systems. UNC Health Blue Ridge said its Morganton facilities team has worked to improve equipment operation, optimize building systems, and use preventive maintenance and other energy-conscious practices.

"We are honored to earn the ENERGY STAR certification for UNC Health Blue Ridge-Morganton," said Drew Thomas, chief operating officer. "This achievement reflects the dedication of our facilities and support teams who work behind the scenes every day to maintain a safe, efficient, and healing environment. It also demonstrates our commitment to being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us while advancing our mission of improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve."

Mark Williams, director of plant operations and maintenance for UNC Health Blue Ridge, said the certification reflects ongoing work at the Morganton campus.

"Earning ENERGY STAR certification is the result of a sustained commitment to operational excellence and responsible resource management," he said. "Our team continually looks for opportunities to improve building performance through efficient equipment operation, system optimization, preventive maintenance, and energy-conscious practices. This recognition reflects the hard work of many teammates across our organization and demonstrates our commitment to creating a healthier, more sustainable environment for our patients, visitors, teammates, and community."

According to ENERGY STAR, certified buildings and plants use 35% less energy and generate 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions on average than comparable facilities.

"Improving the energy efficiency of our nation's buildings is critical to protecting our environment," said Cindy Jacobs, chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial Branch. "From the boiler room to the boardroom, organizations are leading the way by making their buildings more efficient and earning EPA's ENERGY STAR certification."

For more information about the ENERGY STAR program, visit energystar.gov/buildings.

— AKC