Green Buildings for The Health Care Sector: Cost-effective Measures for Sustainable Design

Infrastructure projects, those in the health sector particularly, account for a great opportunity to make an efficient usage of energy and water resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This study was conducted to identify the most cost-effective measures that make it possible to save energy and water consumption in health care sector infrastructure projects. To do so, the International Finance Corporation's EDGE (Excellence in design for greater efficiencies) tool was used. 6 hypothetical cases of health infrastructure were formulated in 8 cities in the region, analyzing for each case different design alternatives, as well as measures for energy and water savings. A case of an existing hospital was also simulated. The results identify: a) where the highest energy, water and energy consumptions incorporated in the materials occur, b) potential energy and water savings with the implementation of the measures evaluated, c) return on investment time for each of the hypothetical cases formulated, d) recommendations for more cost-effective measures.