Bluewater Health is expected to save $35,000 per year by switching to digital thermostats.
Work to replace the aging pneumatic ones at the Norman St. site will get underway in January and last though March.
The upgrades are made possible by a $400,000 investment under the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network's (LHIN) Hospital Energy Efficiency Program.
Facilities Director Alex Sullo says they'll be installing 90 new thermostats.
"The work will be a little invasive," says Sullo. "It will be done in and out of patient rooms throughout that whole building. We're putting a project plan together now, to ensure the contractors coming into the building understand the ins and outs of going into patient rooms. It will be noticeable for patients in that building for sure."
Sullo says once the new units are in place, patients will be more comfortable because temperatures will be easier to regulate.
He says they're already planning to apply for funding next year to hopefully install new windows and more LED lighting.
