Coordinator Kent Waddington, who calls the participation rate "pathetic," says energy conservation is a hard sell in hospitals because money is tight and conservation may require a cash investment. "A new boiler doesn't improve patient outcomes," he adds.

A few years ago, the project's 89 members were saving 8% on their annual energy bills, or $12 million a year on total bills of $145 million. The project now includes 93 health care institutions ranging from small seniors' residences to major acute care hospitals; there are 3500 potential members.

The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto is now saving $246 000 annually simply by training staff to switch off lights when they leave rooms and to shut off computers at night. "It cost nothing to do but it saved lots," says Waddington. "That money could be used to hire 3.3 nurses."

Energy innovations are also resulting in annual savings of $1.6 million at University of Alberta Hospitals in Edmonton, $683 000 at British Columbia's Royal Inland Hospital and $180 000 in Saskatchewan's South East Health District. Waddington says energy savings of between 10% and 20% can often be achieved simply through better operating and maintenance practices, improved training and in-house awareness campaigns. Canadian hospitals are major energy users because they operate around the clock and provide such a broad range of services; their annual energy bill is estimated at $1 billion.

Since 1970, the innovators project has attracted more than 900 members across Canada, including Sears, Tim Hortons, Ikea, John Labatt Ltd. and the Canadian Association of Municipalities. "Health care is lagging behind," says Waddington.