South Texas Health System McAllen Earns U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Certification
For decades, global warming and climate change have been hot topics around the world. Repeatedly, scientists have released data on the long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns caused mainly by human activities like the burning of fossil fuels, which produces heat-trapping gases. In October 2022, United Nations expert Ian Fry called climate change “the greatest threat the world has ever faced.”
With buildings accounting for nearly 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions, according to Architecture 2030, energy efficiency has become a top priority for businesses and corporations across the globe, including South Texas Health System, to protect the environment.
South Texas Health System McAllen recently earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® certification for superior energy performance, earning a rating of 89. This signifies that STHS McAllen, the largest of South Texas Health System’s 11 facilities across the region, is more energy efficient than 89% of similar buildings nationwide. Currently, there are 375 general medical and surgical hospitals in the nation and only 30 in Texas to ever receive this certification.
South Texas Health System McAllen
Over the last five years, STHS McAllen has implemented a variety of energy-efficient measures to earn this specialty certification, including:
- The installation of LED lighting
- Upgrading the hospital’s existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to current industry design standards
- The optimization of building controls
“South Texas Health System’s commitment to the communities we serve goes beyond providing medical care; we’re dedicated to helping protect the planet. This ENERGY STAR certification is proof of our promise,” says Todd Mann, Chief Executive Officer, South Texas Health System McAllen. “By saving energy and reducing our carbon footprint, we’re doing our part to combat climate change and help save the planet for future generations.”
ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants are verified to perform in the top 25% of buildings nationwide, based on weather-normalized source energy use that considers the occupancy, hours of operation and other key metrics. ENERGY STAR is the only energy efficiency certification in the United States that is based on actual, verified energy performance.
On average, ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants use 35% less energy, cause 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions and are less expensive to operate than their peers — all without sacrifices in performance or comfort. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings protects our environment.