at the Montpellier University Hospital, “ecology and energy” advisers track abuse to reduce consumption by 10%

Émilie Roseau and Maxime Martin inspect the aftercare and rehabilitation service, accompanied by Dr. Arielle Blain. “That’s on day and night, 24 hours a day in the corridors”breathes one, walking through the corridors of the Montpellier hospital. “I have already wanted to turn off, answers the doctor. In fact, there is no switch…”

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Emilie and Maxime’s work? Track small and large energy wastes. They are part of these 150 “ecology and energy” advisers hired by the government to reduce the bill in hospitals and nursing homes. “This summer, there were major problems with the air conditioning and the patients are often sitting in wheelchairs, motionless. I find that sometimes it is cold”, worries Dr. Arielle Blain. At the end of the corridor, a door is very often open. “And the staff, and the patients, and the families go out on the terrace!she continues. As my office is at the entrance, I get up to close when it’s hot, close when it’s cold…” Doctor Blain is aware of the effort required of everyone in the hospital. “There is work but people are starting to do it at home too, teaching it to their children”she reassures herself.

In another room, the two “ecology and energy” advisers and the doctor arrive in a corridor bathed in natural light. So, immediately, Émilie Roseau spots a light bulb on: “This light is useless, you don’t even notice it’s on.” Not far away, a window is open while the heating/air conditioning system is on full blast. “The window can stay open indefinitely, everyone will pass without seeing it”slips Arielle Blain.

“We waste energy everywhere, including in the hospital.”

Dr Arielle Blain, University Hospital of Montpellier

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A word of order nevertheless: no question of cutting corners on the comfort of the patients. For example, heating in operating theaters or geriatrics will not be lowered. “It is by starting with small gestures that we will succeed in saving moneyassures Maxime Martin. We will have to go to all sectors to save energy everywhere.”

These “small” savings would reduce energy consumption in the hospital by 10%. For the longer term, major work will have to be considered, such as installing a more efficient boiler, solar panels or, even better, isolating nursing homes and hospitals which are thermal sieves. Another task falls to these 150 “ecology and energy” coordinators and advisers: to help find the necessary funding for this work.