Faculty & Student Audit Team Use Building EQ To Help Hospital Improve Facility.

This article focuses on a Level 1 Energy Audit conducted by Loughborough University faculty and students on the Modular Building at Queen's Hospital, Burton upon Trent, part of the UK's National Health Service. Using the ASHRAE Building Energy Quotient (Building EQ) tool and adhering to ASHRAE Standard 211-2018, the audit identified 24 energy efficiency measures (EEMs) aimed at reducing energy consumption while enhancing occupant health and comfort. The building, constructed in 2020 with advanced HVAC systems and on-site energy generation, scored 19 on the Building EQ scale (where 0 is net zero energy). Recommendations included low- and high-cost improvements such as increasing daylighting, maintaining HVAC heat exchange surfaces, and installing occupancy sensors, with some measures balancing increased energy use to improve indoor air quality post-COVID-19. The audit provided actionable insights for hospital management and practical training for students, supporting both energy performance and patient care goals.