Fume Hoods
Vented fume hoods are often the largest energy consumer in the lab. Vented fume hoods constantly remove conditioned air from the lab without the ability to easily turn them off when not needed. This is like heating your home in the winter with the windows and doors open. While fans inside the fume hoods contribute to energy consumption, the loss of conditioned air is usually the largest source of energy consumption.
Vented fume hoods are the most common type in laboratories today and include constant air volume and variable air volume. CU Boulder currently has approximately 300 CAV (constant air volume) and 200 VAV (variable air volume) fume hoods. Ductless fume hoods are a more energy-efficient alternative in select applications; however, CU Boulder has only a handful of ductless fume hoods.
Free Timers
Green Labs provides free timers to automatically shut down lab equipment. Whether your lab needs timers for small equipment or heavy load equipment, CU Green Labs can help. We have simple timers that labs can use with their smaller equipment, such as temperature-controlled water baths and heating blocks. We can provide timers for larger equipment with the help of an electrician! Contact CU Green Labs now for FREE timers! Save energy and minimize your lab's impact on climate change!
Freezer Location
ULT freezers are large energy consumers and produce a lot of heat. The room or location where you place your ULT freezer should be able to vent off the heat. If the room has insufficient HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) capabilities, you risk forcing the building’s HVAC system to compensate heavily for the heat produced by your ULT freezer, possibly affecting the ventilation and increasing energy consumption for the entire building.
Equipment rooms and laboratories with localized cooling (such as fan coil units) are better locations for ULT freezers than hallways, closets and offices. The former have sufficient cooling and ventilation to support heat-producing equipment like ULT freezers.