Seeing Green: Sustainability at Edgerton Hospital

At Edgerton Hospital, “going green” is more than a trend, it’s a long-standing commitment to healthier patients, a stronger community, and a more sustainable future. From the very beginning, our hospital was designed with the environment in mind. Today, we are proud to be recognized as a leader in sustainable healthcare.

A Pioneer in Green Healthcare

Edgerton Hospital made history as:

The first hospital in Wisconsin to use geothermal heating and cooling
The first critical access hospital in the United States built with this technology

This forward-thinking approach set the foundation for a facility designed to reduce environmental impact while enhancing patient comfort.

How Geothermal Energy Works

Our hospital uses a ground-loop geothermal HVAC system that takes advantage of the earth’s natural, consistent temperature.

Here’s how it works:

The earth stores a large amount of solar energy below its surface
Heat pumps transfer this energy to provide heating and cooling
In winter: heat is drawn from the ground into the building
In summer: heat is removed from the building and returned to the earth

This process creates a reliable, energy-efficient system that operates year-round.

Why It Matters

Healthcare facilities are among the highest energy users. By investing in sustainable systems, Edgerton Hospital is able to:

Reduce energy consumption
Lower environmental impact
Provide a more comfortable healing environment
Support long-term community health

Real Impact & Cost Savings

Sustainability isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for our community.

The geothermal system paid for itself in approximately 5 years
The hospital saves nearly $15,000 per month in energy costs

As a non-profit organization, these savings help us reinvest in patient care and community services.

Beyond Geothermal

Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond heating and cooling. Additional green initiatives include:

High-performance electrical systems
Energy-efficient windows and appliances
Onsite construction recycling
Green roofing elements
Use of low or zero volatile organic (VOC) building materials

Every detail was designed to reduce our environmental footprint.

Geothermal Energy Facts

“Geo” means earth and “thermal” means heat
Geothermal energy is renewable and sustainable
It does not produce pollution or greenhouse gases
Systems can use up to 40% less energy than traditional high-efficiency systems
The Environmental Protection Agency gives geothermal systems its highest efficiency rating