Twin Cities Hospital Receives PSC’s Triple E Award

“We especially recognize Twin Cities Hospital management who contacted their utility to find ways to reduce energy costs, so they can redirect their energy savings to patient care.”

Hit by rising costs and increased energy use, Niceville’s Twin Cities Hospital filled a prescription to be more energy efficient, earning them the Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) May Triple E Award for Energy Efficiency Efforts.

“Hospitals are large energy consumers, since they operate 24 hours a day and patient care often depends on electricity,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown.  “We especially recognize Twin Cities Hospital management who contacted their utility to find ways to reduce energy costs, so they can redirect their energy savings to patient care.”

Gulf Power Company (Gulf Power) advised the hospital’s engineers to install a Heat Recovery Chiller (HRC), which was completed last month.  The HRC preheats the water going to the natural gas boiler, reducing or even eliminating the boiler’s work because it can heat water more efficiently.  HRCs are ideal for use in buildings with simultaneous cooling and heating loads such as hospitals, hotels, and higher education buildings.

Gulf Power worked with us to realize energy and cost savings,” said Hugo Garza, Twin Cities Hospital Director of Engineering.  “With the new HRC now operational, in just one day, the hospital saved 110 therms. We are pleased with this early energy savings and look forward to continued savings that will help with patient care and customer service.”

“Although hospitals use a lot of energy, they have a great opportunity for energy savings, as do many of our business customers,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson. “We applaud Twin Cities Hospital’s commitment to save energy and return the cost savings to its core commitment of helping people get well.”

Covering the state’s five major geographic areas, each month the PSC presents its Triple E Award to a local business that has accomplished superior energy efficiency.  Look for past Triple E Award recipients under Hot Topics on the PSC’s homepage, www.floridapsc.com. The PSC encourages cost-effective conservation and renewable energy to reduce the use of fossil fuels and defer the need for new generating capacity through the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.