Climate sensitivity and energy management in primary healthcare buildings: a case study in Southern Brazil

Purpose Primary healthcare buildings remain underrepresented in healthcare-energy research, and systematic monitoring of energy consumption in Basic Health Units is largely absent in many public systems. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the relationship between climatic conditions and electricity consumption in primary healthcare buildings and by proposing a replicable framework for infrastructure and energy management under climate variability. Design/methodology/approach A case study was conducted in Araranguá, Southern Brazil, combining a 27-month energy audit of nine Basic Health Units with surveys of facility managers. Pearson correlation and regression analyses were applied to assess the sensitivity of electricity consumption to temperature variation. Findings Minimum monthly temperature showed a strong positive correlation with electricity consumption (r = 0.716), explaining over 50% of demand variability. Three recurrent performance issues were identified: continuous operation of equipment outside clinical hours, absence of preventive maintenance and limited natural ventilation in legacy buildings. Research limitations/implications The findings are based on a single case involving nine units over a 27-month period in a subtropical coastal municipality, which limits direct generalisation. Future research should test the framework across different climatic and institutional contexts and assess the long-term effectiveness of ISO 50001-based interventions. Practical implications The proposed framework offers municipal managers and facility operators a low-cost pathway to integrate energy monitoring, preventive maintenance and climate-responsive practices into asset management. Based on diagnostic evidence and literature benchmarks, such measures may contribute to electricity savings (potentially up to 30%), although these estimates were not empirically tested within the scope of this study. Originality/value This study contributes to the healthcare-energy literature, predominantly focused on hospitals, by providing empirical evidence on the climate sensitivity and operational performance of primary healthcare buildings. It also proposes an ISO 50001-aligned framework suitable for application in medium-sized cities in the Global South and positions primary care facilities as strategic assets within urban sustainability and SDG 11 agendas.