The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) completed major energy and air-quality upgrades as part of its 10-year campus redevelopment plan.

The federal government contributed $1 million through Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund to modernize CHEO’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and introduce new energy-saving technology. The upgrades improve indoor air quality for patients, families, and staff, as well as better cooling for the warmer months, while reducing the hospital’s environmental footprint.

A new energy recovery system and redesigned ventilation will bring in more fresh air while using less energy. “Creating healthier environments is an important part of how we care for kids,” said Dr. Vera Etches, president and CEO of CHEO. “These upgrades are an investment in the health of children and youth now, and in a more sustainable future for the generations that follow.”

The project is a major step forward in CHEO’s sustainability efforts. The new systems will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2,500 tonnes each year, roughly equivalent to the annual energy use of more than 1,000 homes.