Health system lightens up to cut energy use and improve security

McLaren Health Care is upgrading to LED lighting in its 11 hospitals.

Photo courtesy of Cree

McLaren Health Care, Flint, Mich., has launched a lighting retrofit project across its health system that is anticipated to save $1.6 million annually in energy and operational costs while providing improved lighting for staff, patients and visitors.

McLaren plans to install 25,000 outdoor and indoor LED fixtures throughout its 11-hospital network, which encompasses more than 5 million square feet. The health system projects it will reduce its energy costs by 66 percent by installing the new lights.  

Before photo (top) shows lobby with old flourescent lighting. After photo (bottom) shows lobby after LED retrofit.

Photo courtesy of Cree

McLaren selected lighting and other technology from Cree, Durham, N.C., to modernize exterior and interior lighting in parking garages, hallways, waiting rooms, lobbies and staff centers. These lighting products feature technology that enables them to automatically adapt to the environment to deliver energy savings and increase safety and security.

“McLaren is committed to reducing our carbon footprint as much as possible by decreasing our energy use,” says Keith Miller, corporate facilities manager, McLaren Health Care.

The company’s innovative lighting will help McLaren reach its sustainability goals quickly and cost effectively while improving patient, staff and visitor experiences, Miller says.  

Installation of consistent lighting across the health system also helps to contribute to McLaren’s branding while also simplifying operations and maintenance for facility staff.

While the projected payback of 3.7 years for the lighting retrofit is longer than the two years the health system usually requires for a capital improvement project, the benefits justified the slightly longer time frame, Miller says.  

And though the financial benefits were important, patient satisfaction and having the hospital fulfill its sustainability mission were other critical factors in the decision, he says.

McLaren Health Care is a fully integrated health network that includes more than 350 facilities throughout Michigan.