Energy Usage
How energy efficient are QED warming Cabinets?
Does keeping the cabinet full improve energy efficiency?
How does the environment affect energy use?
Sustainability
What makes QED cabinets a sustainable choice?
What are the patient benefits in the perioperative period?
Energy Usage
How energy efficient are QED Warming Cabinets?
The energy consumption of a blanket/fluid warmer depends on three factors:
- Cabinet size – larger cabinets have larger elements and therefore draw more power.
- Usage patterns – how often new (cold) items are added, and how full the cabinet is kept.
- Environment – cabinets in warm areas (e.g. maternity wards) use less energy than those in cooler, air-conditioned theatres.
A smaller 30-litre cabinet running at full power for 24 hours would use around 9.25 kWh, while a much larger 575-litre cabinet would use around 48.85 kWh. In practice, actual usage is lower, as the cabinets do not run constantly at full power.
Does keeping the cabinet full improve energy efficiency?
Yes. A full cabinet is more energy efficient than an empty one.
This is because:
- Warmed blankets/fluids act as a thermal mass, helping to maintain internal temperature with less frequent heater cycling.
- This results in lower energy consumption per litre, especially when accessed frequently during the day.
- An empty cabinet requires more energy to stay warm.
How does the environment affect energy use?
Energy efficiency is influenced by the room conditions:
- Warm environments (e.g. maternity units) reduce the need for the cabinet to switch into “warming mode”.
- Cooler, air-conditioned spaces (e.g. theatres) require more energy to maintain set temperature.
Sustainability
What makes QED cabinets a sustainable choice?
- Long service life – many QED cabinets remain in active use for 15–20 years, far exceeding typical medical device lifespans.
- Lower embedded carbon – because the cabinets are built to last, the carbon footprint from production is spread across decades of use.
- Durability – fewer replacements mean less waste and reduced lifecycle costs.
Patient Benefits
What are the patient benefits in the perioperative period?
Maintaining patient normothermia is a key component of safe surgical care. Access to warmed blankets/fluids provides:
- Improving outcomes in line with NICE guidance and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols.
- Improved comfort and reduced anxiety – a warm blanket helps reduce patient stress before surgery.
- Better clinical outcomes – perioperative hypothermia is linked to increased infection risk, delayed healing and longer recovery times. Warmed blankets/fluids help to maintain patient core temperature, lowering complication rates.
- Reduced reliance on active warming devices – blanket/fluid warmers can reduce the need for additional warming systems, particularly in recovery, supporting a smoother transition from theatre to ward.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction – the simple act of providing a warm blanket is consistently rated as improving the patient experience.
Key takeaways:
- Energy drawn is proportionate to requirements – customers can select a cabinet size appropriate to their department, avoiding unnecessary energy use.
- Operational efficiency – best practise (keeping cabinets adequately stocked, loading once daily where possible) minimises energy draw.
- Long-term value – with lifespans of up to 20 years, QED cabinets represent a low total cost of ownership, supporting both financial and sustainability goals.
- Patient-centred care – improved comfort, reduced anxiety and better clinical outcomes strengthen the case for investment.
- Reduced replacement costs – fewer replacements over time free up future capital budgets.