Actionable Tips To Build A Green Medical Facility
Sustainability is an emerging trend in the corporate landscape. Every business owner wants to embrace it to sustain itself in the competitive world. A green reputation attracts customers and strengthens the brand image. Not surprisingly, businesses in all verticals want to join the green bandwagon, and medical facilities are no exception.
In fact, hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centers need to go the extra mile because sustainability translates into better patient care. Building a green medical facility gives you a good start, but it is easier said than done unless you know what goes into sustainable construction. Here are some actionable tips for building a green medical facility.
Choose an eco-conscious land developer
If you work in the medical industry, you will probably have a minimal understanding of the real estate segment. You may easily fall for an inappropriate location for your medical facility from a sustainability perspective. The best way to avoid the situation is by building or buying from an eco-conscious land developer. Such business owners go the extra mile to live up to expectations and feel inherently responsible for building and selling eco-friendly projects. They use eco-friendly materials and practices that deliver lifetime value.
Dig deep for optimal site selection
You may buy or get construction services from a trusted land developer, but digging deep for optimal site selection makes sense. After all, you must do your due diligence when making a large-scale investment in a hospital or clinic project. Ensure that the developer checked the National Wetland Inventory before locking the site for the project. Not doing so can land you in a fix later as it can lead to hefty penalties or even delay or stall the project. Likewise, check that the site is not near landfills, chemical dumps, or farmlands.
Design to receive sufficient sunlight
The building design is another factor that determines the eco-friendliness of a medical facility. Ensure that the space is designed to receive adequate sunshine from all directions. Natural light kills germs and reduces energy bills in the long run, and both are critical factors for healthcare organizations. It also creates positivity and speeds up healing. But remember to cut down sunshine from southern exposure as it can cause excessive heating and burden the cooling systems.
Install solar panels
Medical facilities often have big construction budgets, and using the money to add solar panels makes sense. It is the best investment to make for building a green hospital or clinic as solar energy is renewable and reduces the environmental footprint of the building. You can make massive savings in energy bills and even get tax cuts and credits from the local government.
Leverage automation technology
Automation is perhaps the smartest way to achieve sustainability and energy efficiency for your center. Although automating energy usage processes like temperature control, electric light, airflow, and water supply entail a hefty investment, it is the best you can make. Automated systems can sense external factors to manage energy usage and create an optimal environment indoors.
Building a green medical facility is achievable, provided you take the right approach from the outset. Follow these steps to start from scratch and win the sustainability game.
