UC San Diego Health obtained a $1.44 million grant for decarbonization in hospitals, in partnership with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Of that, $720,000 will be used to purchase two High Efficiency Dehumidification Systems (HEDS) serving seven operating rooms. The HEDS will be equipped with multiple layers of UV-C irradiation; enhanced air filtration, including HEPA final filtration; deep dehumidification; and built-in energy recovery for energy-efficient relative humidity control to reduce the spread of viruses like the novel coronavirus and other pathogens. 

HEDS can cool buildings and reduce relative humidity more efficiently — saving energy, resources and money — and have the added benefit of enhanced air filtration. HEDS were developed in 2007 in response to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers request to create an energy-efficient, cost-effective dehumidification and reheating system that requires no more maintenance than a typical air handling unit, while providing lower life cycle costs than other relative humidity control options. The Department of Defense recommended expanded use of HEDS in its High Performance and Sustainable Buildings Report to Congress in April 2019.