Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Davie Medical Center has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star certification for superior energy performance.
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 takes into account 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.
“We’re honored to earn the Energy Star designation for superior energy performance at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Davie Medical Center and appreciate the efforts of everyone who has been involved in its efficient operation,” said Chad Brown, former president of Davie Medical Center, who is now the president of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s south and west areas. “Saving energy is just one of the ways we show our community we care, and that we’re committed to doing our part to protect the environment and public health - today and for future generations.”
Brown credited this achievement to the implementation of several strategies by the Davie Medical Center engineering operations team through a partnership with the Atrium Health energy services group. These efforts, which include scheduling heating and air conditioning equipment to minimal requirements during non-use hours and installing occupancy sensors and LED lighting, are part of an ongoing strategy to maintain and even improve upon the current reduction of energy consumption.
"Energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives go hand in hand,” said Michael Roberts, director of energy services for Atrium Health, part of Charlotte-based Advocate Health. “Thanks to Energy Star-certified buildings such as Davie Medical Center, we are well on our way to meeting our goal to be carbon neutral by 2030, which includes a pledge to reduce emissions by more than 50%.”
Reflecting its pledge to lead environmental sustainability, Advocate Health, of which Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is also a part, was recently named a “2023 Health Care Climate Action Winner” by Health Care Without Harm. In addition, the second campus of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, which is under construction in Charlotte, is being built to a carbon-zero and LEED Gold Standard. Wake Forest University School of Medicine is the academic core of Advocate Health.
“Improving the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings is critical to protecting our environment,” said Cindy Jacobs, chief of the Energy Star commercial and industrial branch. “From the boiler room to the board room, organizations are leading the way by making their buildings more efficient and earning EPA’s Energy Star certification.”
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.
Media contacts:
Jenna Kurzyna, jkurzyna@wakehealth.edu
Joe McCloskey, jmcclosk@wakehealth.edu