(l-r Jennifer Coultard (Fortis), MLA Mike Morris, Sara Smith (Fortis), MLA Shirley Bond, Cathy Ulrich (NH), Mike Hoefer (NH), Les Sluggett (NH).

Prince George, B.C. – Northern Health is receiving recognition today for its energy conservation efforts and has also been handed some incentive funding from FortisBC.

Company officials joined N.H. representatives and our two MLAs at University Hospital of Northern BC to acknowledge the energy studies and energy-saving projects undertaken at several healthcare facilities within the authority’s jurisdiction.

Through its completed projects Northern Health is expected to save about 8,100 gigajoules of natural gas each year, equivalent to the average annual natural gas use of 90 homes.  And the energy dollars saved are to be re-invested in patient care initiatives.

Some of the energy-saving projects which were completed include:

-Upgrading a dehumidifier at UHNBC’s hydro-therapy pool and installing a heat recovery system to minimize heat loss.

-Adding a smaller boiler plant at GR Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel to better match the reduced heating requirements during warmer months.

-Upgrading to a demand-controlled ventilation system at the Chetwynd Hospital and Health Centre to prevent over-ventilation and reduce waste heat.

Officials with FortisBC have presented Northern Health with an incentive cheque for $239,000 which will be applied to future energy saving projects that will help reduce operating costs.