Energy-intensive processes and increasing demands in hospitals
Hospitals are true high performers, excelling both medically and in terms of infrastructure. However, this performance comes at a price: according to the German Hospital Federation (DKG), each hospital bed requires approximately 7,800 kilowatt hours of electricity and more than 300 litres of water per day (source: German Hospital Federation, 2025).
Pump systems that run around the clock play a crucial role in hospitals:
- Cooling of operating rooms and medical technology
- Heat and water supply
- Ventilation systems
- Fire water systems
- Sewage disposal
Pumps are the invisible heart of healthcare facilities.
The pressure is constantly increasing: Many hospitals have potential to modernise their energy supply. According to the German Hospital Institute, 63% of the hospitals surveyed see scope for improvement in their energy and electricity supply, while one in two hospitals identifies a need for action in their heat supply (Source: German Hospital Institute). Rising energy costs and tight budgets are compounded by political requirements such as the EU Green Deal and the EPBD Directive (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive).
At the same time, hospitals must meet stringent requirements for hygiene and security of supply. This applies to many areas of their technical infrastructure – from drinking water hygiene and the cooling of certain medical equipment to fire-fighting water systems that must be designed in accordance with applicable requirements. The key challenge, therefore, is to continuously balance cost control, energy efficiency, and defined operational-reliability requirements supported by project-specific design and monitoring.
Identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency Increase the efficiency and operational reliability of your hospital infrastructure
Assess opportunities to optimise energy consumption and operating costs while taking hygiene and supply-security requirements into account. Contact our experts today to learn how modern pump solutions can support upcoming modernisation and efficiency requirements for your hospital.
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Pump solutions for energy-efficient and resilientreliable hospital operations
We understand the specific challenges hospitals face every day: the need to save energy and reduce costs while ensuring reliable care — especially in critical medical areas where patient well-being is the top priority. With intelligent technologies, we help hospitals identify efficiency potential, optimise energy use and support reliable system operation.
Modernising pump technology also offers potential to reduce energy consumption. According to the “Climate-Neutral Hospital” initiative of the North Rhine-Westphalia Hospital Association, replacing older heating pumps with controlled high-efficiency pumps can result in average energy savings of 66%. Intelligent controls can additionally adjust pump performance to actual demand.
Source: North Rhine-Westphalia Hospital Association (KGNW), “Climate-Neutral Hospital” initiative, Heating Pump Modernisation. The actual savings achieved depend on the existing system and the respective operating conditions.
As an experienced partner in the healthcare sector, we offer you comprehensive solutions.
From project planning to maintenance, we cover all central water technology applications – heating and cooling, drinking water supply, pressure boosting, and sewage disposal. They provide the necessary conditions for a wide range of water-related processes – including applications where medical technology systems depend on a reliable supply.
Whether for new-build projects or the modernisation of existing systems, Wilo provides hospitals with pump solutions for demand-based and cost-effective system operation – tailored to the specific requirements of everyday hospital operations.
Wilo-Monitor provides transparency into energy flows, detects faults and delivers early indications to inform maintenance decisions. Together with other WiloCare services and redundancy concepts, it helps support system availability.
Wilo-Monitor provides transparency into energy flows, detects faults and provides early indications to inform maintenance decisions. Together with other WiloCare services and redundancy concepts, it helps support system availability.
With the Wilo-Energy Audit¹, Wilo supports clinics in analysing and optimising their systems in order to identify and quantify potential energy-saving measures and assess potential operating-cost effects based on defined assumptions. The audit provides a structured assessment of potential optimisation measures, particularly in hospitals in urgent need of energy-related renovation but with limited budgets for major investments.
¹The Wilo-Energy Audit does not comply with the EN 16247-1 standard and therefore does not fulfil the requirement to carry out a legally mandated energy audit in accordance with the relevant national implementation provisions of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive.
Our highlight applications for hospitals
Whether in heating, drinking water or cooling systems, modern pump systems are key components of hospital building services. Demand-based control adjusts pump performance to the respective operating requirements and can thus help reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
Cold drinking water circulation
Hygienically safe drinking water is essential in hospitals. A properly designed drinking water system helps maintain water quality all the way to the point of use.
- Promotes regular water exchange and can thus help reduce the risk of stagnation in pipework.
- With appropriate system design and operation, helps support compliance with hygiene requirements for drinking water supply.
- Contributes to a reliable water supply for patients, staff and visitors.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
A stable indoor climate contributes to defined room-climate conditions in hospital areas, from the intensive care unit to the patient room.
- Central application across all hospital areas – crucial for comfort and hygiene
- Pumps for heating and cooling loops and pressure maintenance systems
- Pressurisation stabilises the system pressure in large building complexes with long pipe networks
Firefighting
In an emergency, every second counts—that's why properly designed fire-water systems form part of the fire-protection concepts.
- Complies with DIN 1988-500 (separation of drinking water) and DIN 14462 (planning and operation of fire extinguishing water systems).
- System separation ensures drinking water quality
- Pressure-boosting systems ensure a reliable supply of fire water
- Particularly important due to stringent safety requirements in hospitals
Wastewater collection and transport
Supporting continuity of operations: appropriately sized systems are designed for the controlled drainage of wastewater and can reduce the risk of backflow-related damage and disruption.
- Reliable drainage of grey and black water
- Backflow protection safeguards can reduce the risk of backflow-related contamination and interruptions
- Emergency drainage supports operation even in critical situations
Water distribution and boosting
Whether on the ward, in the control centre, or in the operating room, water distribution and boosting systems are used to maintain defined pressure and flow requirements in hospital applications.
- Supply designed for defined peak-load scenarios (e.g., morning use, emergencies)
- Designed to support defined pressure requirements in the connected areas.
- Intelligent control adjusts supply based on defined control parameters
Our references
Whether it's energy efficiency, operational reliability, or hygienic drinking water, our solutions are already in use at selected hospitals. Discover selected references and learn how we are working with our partners to support healthcare facilities with modernisation and efficiency projects.
Lüdenscheid Hospital
Lüdenscheid Hospital in Germany employs 1,800 staff and has 900 beds. The heat recovery system cools in summer and heats in winter. Previously, two standard pumps, each with 230 m³ at 110 m and 132 kW, were in use. A Wilo energy audit revealed that a smaller pump with 22 kW and 90 m³/h at 50 m would suffice.
Annual savings in the documented reference project:
- Operating costs saved: €30,000
- Energy savings: 152,000 kWh
- Emissions reduced: 94.5 tons of CO₂
- Investment volume: approx. €20,000
- Payback period: < 1 year
St. Franziskus Hospital Münster
For more than 160 years, St. Franziskus Hospital in Münster, Germany, has provided care to patients with diverse medical needs. With around 600 beds, it treats approximately 30,000 inpatients and 60,000 outpatients each year. Facility management needed to ensure a heat and water supply and optimise energy consumption. The project used over 40 new Wilo high-efficiency pumps with energy-saving functions and control technologies.
Annual savings in the documented reference project:
- Operating costs saved: €8,500
- Energy savings: 42,000 kWh
- Emissions reduced: 22 tons of CO₂
- Payback period: < 5 years
Béziers Hospital
The hospital in Béziers, southern France, has 1,180 beds. The aim was to optimise energy consumption in the boiler room and equip the pumps with a communication system for monitoring. Originally, three pumps ran at full capacity throughout the year, resulting in high consumption. The new pumps provide control flexibility and monitoring functions.
Annual savings in the documented reference project:
- Operating costs saved: €23,500
- Energy savings: 87,000 kWh
- Emissions reduced: 8 tons of CO₂
- Investment volume: approx . €29,000
- Payback period: < 2 years
Customised service solutions for hospitals
Our service expertise is founded on years of experience with sensitive infrastructure, with a focus on helping hospitals identify efficiency potential, support reliable system operation and maintain dependable availability. With a regional presence, rapid response times, and an extensive network, we provide defined service activities such as maintenance, monitoring and technical support allowing your medical staff to focus on what matters most.
Wilo-Energy Audit
Identify energy-saving potential, analyse operating data and derive suitable measures for energy-conscious system operation.
Digital solutions
Control pumps intelligently, connect systems and make operating data visible – for greater transparency and targeted optimisation of system operation.
Health requires more than medicine
Behind every diagnosis, every treatment and every recovery is a high-performing technical infrastructure. With intelligent pump systems, Wilo helps ensure the reliable operation of essential water-related processes in hospitals – from heating and cooling to drinking water supply and safety-critical applications.
Our commitment goes beyond that. Together with our customers, we take a holistic view of the technical infrastructure, identify opportunities for optimisation and develop solutions tailored to the individual requirements of each hospital. In doing so, we combine technological expertise with the aim of supporting cost-effective and reliable hospital operations over the long term – and helping to enable healthier lives.
FAQ | Frequently asked questions about pumps and pump systems in hospitals
Why are pump systems so important for hospital operations?
Pumps perform key functions: they provide cooling for operating rooms and medical equipment, supply heat and water to patient rooms, operate ventilation systems, feed fire-fighting systems, and dispose of sewage. Running around the clock, they perform central functions in safety- and hygiene-relevant systems.
How quickly do investments in new pumps pay for themselves?
How does Wilo support decision-making?
The Wilo-Energy Audit provides hospitals with a documented analysis of their system areas agreed in the audit scope, including potential assessments, economic efficiency analyses, and scenario calculations of potential energy-related CO₂ effects based on documented assumptions. This is supplemented by lifecycle cost analyses, simulations, and personalised consultation offering a clear basis for investment decisions.
What funding opportunities are available?
How does Wilo contribute to achieving sustainability goals?
How can the security of supply in healthcare facilities be ensured in the long term?
How complex is it to replace old pumps during ongoing operations?
What role does hygiene play in pump technology?
Hygiene plays a key role in all pump applications—particularly where water quality and supply security are directly linked to human well-being. In the areas of drinking water and firefighting, Wilo systems are designed to support continuous cold-water circulation within defined operating conditions. When correctly designed and operated, they can reduce stagnation times and can support compliance with the applicable standards (such as DIN 1988-500 and DIN 14462).
How does Wilo support hospitals in the long term?
Wilo supports hospitals throughout different stages of the system lifecycle of their systems, from technical consulting to maintenance. Ongoing service, digital monitoring, and individually tailored service packages can help identify optimisation potential and support the operation of hospital systems over time.
Preparing hospital infrastructure for future requirements Identify potential for optimising operating costs and system operation. Contact our team of experts—we support you from analysis through to the implementation of suitable measures.
Setting the course now for a future-proof hospital
Seize this opportunity to reduce operating costs sustainably while ensuring the highest level of supply security. Contact our team of experts—we will support you from analysis through to implementation.
Contact our experts