title: [Energy audit: a management tool in health centers].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability of energy audit as a management tool in primary care to improve the energy efficiency and environmental performance of a health center by reducing its operating costs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted 55 energy audits in health centers from 2005-2010. The health centers were sized between 500 and 3,500 m(2), were located in health areas with 3,500 to 25,000 users, and were built between 1985 and 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With an average investment of 11,601 € per site, energy consumption can be reduced by 10,801 kWh per year, saving 2,961 € with a mean payback period of 3.92 years, and preventing emission of 7,010 kg of CO(2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Energy auditing is a practical tool to reduce the operating and maintenance costs of health centers and of improving the comfort of the facilities.
authors: Servicio Extremeño de Salud, Badajoz, España. jgsanz@unex.es
authors: Justo
authors: J
authors: García Sanz-Calcedo
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Cuadros
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: López Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources; D017046:Cost Savings; D004560:Electricity; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058016:Health Facility Administration / Q000379:methods*; D006276:Health Facility Size; D008029:Lighting / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008283:Maintenance; D008330:Management Audit / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012498:Sanitary Engineering / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013030:Spain