1. The First R: Reduce
OBJECTIVES
- - Collaborate effectively to identify methods to reduce reheat loads in heatlhcare
- - Identify barriers to implementing load reduction strategies
- - Identify techniques to reduce or eliminate these barriers
- - Learn strategies employed by healthcare organizations that have achieved net zero
SUMMARY
Current State
- - US Hospitals rely on reheat to heat spaces.
- - Traditional ventilation design is done by cooling supply air to an overall supply temperature and then reheating at the terminal units.
- - Current codes require minimum air changes per hour (ACH) which is a legacy design methodology intended to maintain occupant safety and comfort but are not based on any real IAQ data.
- - Reheat loads are exceptionally high and the largest load in a hospital by far.
- - Culture of traditional design methodology is seen as a barrier to change.
Response
- - As a design community, we must recognize the problem(s) and be willing adapt as part of the solution(s).
- - The community had a great breakout session brainstorm to get the ideas and thoughts flowing. Brainstorm ideas here
- - All ideas are welcome. Share your insights from the workshop here
Call to Action
- - Continued discussions on load reduction and reheat reduction measures can take place on the Decarb:HEALTHCARE community here
- - As a community, we need to share our ideas and practices to reducing loads, identify barriers, and develop solutions to implementing these measures.