Project background
Traditional washing and disinfection processes for hospital beds are characterized by high energy consumption. Steam systems require large amounts of energy for heating, pressure build‑up, and maintaining operating temperature — even during periods without active washing.
The purpose of the project was therefore to investigate whether UVC technology could function as a realistic and fully documented alternative that reduces energy consumption and climate impact without compromising the hospital’s strict hygiene requirements.
UVC as an alternative to steam and chemicals
NATDIS developed a UVC solution that can be integrated directly into existing washing tunnels. The lamps are strategically placed so that both beds and mattresses are irradiated from all sides — including under edges, in corners, and around mattress flaps, which are considered critical areas.
The UVC system is intelligently controlled and automatically adjusts output based on the operating situation. During active disinfection, the lamps operate at full power, but between beds the output is reduced to a significantly lower energy level. This removes the need for energy‑intensive standby operation associated with steam‑based systems and preserves lamp lifetime and operational reliability.
For mattresses, the UVC treatment is supplemented with ionized air, which contributes to effective disinfection beneath flaps and within the surface structure of the material.
Documented disinfection performance
The UVC solution has been tested under realistic operating conditions in an existing tunnel installation at a hospital. Microbiological testing was conducted as third‑party verification by an external accredited laboratory, in accordance with applicable guidelines.
The tests demonstrate:
- 99.99% reduction of relevant pathogens (including MRSA)
- The same level of disinfection as steam and chemical methods
- Stable operation in existing tunnel installations
The results confirm that UVC is a fully functional and viable alternative to traditional disinfection methods.
Energy savings
Energy calculations are based on measurements and calculations from existing installations and a realistic operating scenario with a capacity of 120 beds and mattresses per day, over an 8‑hour working day, and an average treatment time of 3 minutes per bed.
Energy consumption per bed + mattress
| Technology | Energy consumption per bed (kWh) |
|---|---|
| Steam + chemicals | 11.2 kWh |
| UVC | 4.40kWh |
This means an energy saving of 6.8 kWh per bed, corresponding to a 61% reduction.
The difference in energy consumption is primarily due to the process‑controlled energy usage of UVC, where power consumption is significantly reduced between treatments, whereas steam systems require continuous, high‑energy operation.
Significantly lower CO₂ emissions
The total CO₂ emissions per bed include both electricity consumption and chemical disinfectants.
Using the Danish electricity mix (approx. 0.20 kg CO₂/kWh) and a consumption of 20 kg of chemical disinfectant per week for a traditional bed washer, the CO₂ emissions are as follows:
CO₂ emissions per bed
| Technology | CO₂ – electricity | CO₂ – chemicals | Total CO₂ per bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam + chemicals | 2.24 kg CO₂ | 0.071kg CO₂ | 2.31 kg CO₂ |
| UVC | 0.88 kg CO₂ | 0 kg = 0 kg CO₂ | 0.88 kg CO₂ |
This corresponds to a CO₂ reduction of approximately 62% (1.43 kg CO₂) per bed.
Improved operation and working environment
The UVC solution also provides several operational advantages:
- No handling of chemicals and no chemical residues
- Significantly lower energy consumption between washing cycles
- Unchanged staffing requirements
- Improved working environment
- No risk of chemical resistance
Conclusion
NATDIS and SEMI STAAL have documented that UVC technology can replace steam and chemical disinfection in hospital bed washing without compromising hygiene.
The result is a solution that makes bed washing more sustainable, more energy‑efficient, and better for the working environment — documented through third‑party testing and ready for implementation in existing installations.
Assumptions and methodology
Operation
- Operating time per day: 8 hours
- Daily capacity: 120 beds and mattresses
- Treatment time per bed: 3 minutes
Included in the calculations: electricity consumption during operation. Time required for transport and handling is also taken into account.
The total active UVC treatment time amounts to approximately 6 hours per day. The UVC lamps operate at full output during active disinfection and are automatically dimmed to a reduced power level between beds.
The UVC system therefore has no energy‑intensive standby operation, unlike steam‑based systems, while maintaining lamp lifetime and operational reliability.
Energy
- Energy consumption for bed washing is based on measurements and calculations from existing installations.
- For steam‑based solutions, both active operation and energy required to maintain temperature and pressure are included.
- For UVC, energy consumption includes full output during treatment and reduced power operation between treatments.
- Energy reduction through additional throttling between washing cycles or further temperature reduction in steam systems is not included in the calculation. A comprehensive energy calculation can be provided upon request.
CO₂‑factors
Electricity
CO₂ emissions from electricity consumption are calculated based on the Danish electricity mix (0.20 kg CO₂/kWh), using Energinet’s official electricity declaration, published via Energi Data Service and Energinet’s annual environmental report.
Chemicals
There are no publicly available Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for the specific chemical disinfectants used in traditional bed washers (e.g. glucoprotamine‑ and QAC‑based products). The climate impact from chemical use has therefore been calculated based on average EPD values for comparable water‑based chemical formulations, sourced from EPD programmes under the international EPD® System.
A conservative average value of 3.0 kg CO₂ per kg of chemical product has been applied.
A conservative, practice‑based chemical consumption per bed has been used, based on actual operating conditions, to ensure that CO₂ emissions from chemicals are not underestimated.
The total CO₂ emissions per bed are calculated as the sum of emissions from electricity consumption and chemical use. A complete CO₂ calculation can be provided upon request.
Sources:
Scope and limitations
- The calculations cover the use phase only.
- The calculation is intentionally conservative. The reported energy consumption for the UVC solution includes reduced‑power operation between washing cycles, as applied in the current installation. Any additional energy savings that could be achieved through further optimization of throttling or process conditions are not included.
- Installation, capital investment, and end‑of‑life phases are outside the scope of this calculation.
10 good reasons to choose UVC for bed washing
Lower Energy Consumption
UVC reduces energy consumption by more than70% compared to steam‑based systems, as energy is used only during active disinfection — not for continuous heating or pressure maintenance.
Reduced Space Requirements
A UVC solution requires only a single electrical cabinet outside the washing unit, making it ideal for both new installations and retrofitting existing facilities with limited space.
High Operational Reliability
UVC systems are highly reliable in operation.
Minimal Service and Maintenance
Maintenance is limited to regular wiping of the lamps, significantly reducing downtime, service needs, and operating costs.
Data Collection for Quality Control
UVC enables data logging and monitoring to support quality management and documentation, including:
- Output level
- Treatment times
- Fault and alarm signals
Reduced Handling and Storage of Chemicals
By replacing or significantly reducing chemical disinfectants, UVC:
- Minimizes occupational safety risks
- Reduces storage and logistics requirements
- Eliminates chemical residues and waste
No Chemical Residues
UVC leaves no chemical residues on beds or mattresses, removing the need for rinsing, drying, or holding times after disinfection.
Immediate Effect – No Downtime
UVC is effective while the light is on:
- No build‑up time
- No waiting or dwell times
- Immediate readiness for use
No Risk of Resistance
UVC does not lead to microbial resistance, as it:
- Damages microorganisms’ DNA and RNA
- Is not based on chemical modes of action
- Has no known resistance in commonly occurring bacteria or viruses
Effective Against a Broad Range of Microorganisms
UVC is effective against all microorganisms containing DNA or RNA, including:
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Yeasts and moulds
The effect is present only while the light is active, and no chemical residues remain.
