CT scanners secretly waste more energy than used by a typical household – but there’s a fix

This article explains that medical imaging—particularly CT and MRI scanners—is a major contributor to hospital energy use and carbon emissions, largely because machines are routinely left running 24/7 for potential emergencies. It describes a study conducted in partnership with NSW Health that demonstrated a simple, safe intervention: switching off an under‑used CT scanner after hours and on weekends. Doing so reduced the scanner’s energy consumption by 32% in one week, saved costs, and had no negative impact on patient care or staff workflow. The change was sustained beyond the study and adopted by additional hospitals, illustrating how clinician‑led, evidence‑based interventions can cut emissions, reduce waste, and support the transition to high‑quality, low‑carbon healthcare at scale.