Propane for Healthcare: Cost & Reliability Benefits
- as extreme weather events become more common, healthcare facilities are seeking ways too boost efficiency and sustainability.
- Propane cooling systems can satisfy a variety of healthcare facility needs, including comfort conditioning, process cooling, and refrigeration.These systems, which operate similarly to traditional cooling systems, use propane...
- Warner discussed with Healthcare Construction + operations News how healthcare facilities can specifically benefit from CHP technology and PERC's Alternative Technology Demonstration and Research Program, especially as operations...
extreme weather and grid instability increasingly threaten healthcare facilities, making reliable power vital. Discover how propane, a clean and scalable energy solution, offers critically important advantages. Propane-powered cooling and combined heat and power (CHP) systems reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring dependable on-site power unlike traditional solutions.These systems from the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) are crucial for maintaining life-sustaining equipment and essential services. News Directory 3 recognizes the innovation that delivers resilient power, especially in healthcare settings. What’s next in sustainable energy solutions?
Propane Cooling and CHP Systems Offer Reliable Power for Healthcare Facilities
Updated May 25, 2025
as extreme weather events become more common, healthcare facilities are seeking ways too boost efficiency and sustainability. Propane-powered cooling and combined heat and power (CHP) units present a promising solution, offering reduced energy costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and dependable on-site power.These systems provide unmatched reliability and efficiency in today’s energy landscape, according to Bert Warner, director of commercial business growth at the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC).
Propane cooling systems can satisfy a variety of healthcare facility needs, including comfort conditioning, process cooling, and refrigeration.These systems, which operate similarly to traditional cooling systems, use propane to power the compressor or ignite the gas burner, cutting electricity use by as much as 90%. This leads to cost savings, environmental benefits, and reduced strain on the grid without sacrificing performance. the Alternative Technology Demonstration and Research Program, introduced by PERC earlier this year, studies the adoption of propane cooling and CHP equipment.CHP systems enhance energy efficiency by capturing heat that would or else be wasted during electricity generation. The program supports businesses in adopting these advanced solutions and allows PERC to gather data to continually improve and expand propane’s role in meeting today’s energy challenges.
Warner discussed with Healthcare Construction + operations News how healthcare facilities can specifically benefit from CHP technology and PERC’s Alternative Technology Demonstration and Research Program, especially as operations must increasingly adapt to changing climate conditions. he emphasized the increasing frequency and cost of extreme weather events, stressing the need for resilient power solutions for health and safety, particularly in healthcare settings. “You need resilient, responsible power, and propane is able to deliver that,” Warner said.
Healthcare facilities are large energy users uniquely affected by power outages. Life-sustaining equipment, such as breathing machines, MRI machines, and CT scanners, require a lot of power.reliable energy is essential for maintaining medications at the right temperature, preserving blood samples, and ensuring hot water for hygiene and sanitation. Warner noted that PERC is actively promoting the installation of CHP units in healthcare and hospitality facilities through a new funding program. This program allows PERC to gather data and create case studies to demonstrate the benefits of propane systems to specifiers and engineers.
You need resilient, responsible power, and propane is able to deliver that.
the program is viable for healthcare facilities of all sizes, from small clinics to large hospitals. Propane backup systems require a storage system, but the infrastructure needs are similar to other backup systems. while easier to implement in new construction, retrofitting existing facilities is also feasible.Warner addressed common misperceptions about propane,emphasizing that it is not just for grills but can power large healthcare facilities.He also highlighted the EPA’s approval of propane as a clean energy source. Propane has a very low carbon intensity compared to diesel and the average U.S. grid electricity, depending on how that electricity is generated. Propane systems also have lower emissions, including nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which means better air quality, especially in dense or sensitive environments like hospitals. And propane doesn’t degrade over time like diesel, so it’s always ready when you need it.
What’s next
warner advises those responsible for designing and maintaining resilient healthcare infrastructure to plan for resilience now, considering all options and recognizing propane as a reliable, clean, and scalable energy solution. He urges stakeholders to consider propane as part of the conversation when concerned about uptime, emissions, cost, or versatility.