Q: Why is laboratory energy use so important to achieving net zero?
A: Because labs are energy intense spaces – using proportionately greater energy and resources compared to other building functions. They use between 3 and 10 times more energy than standard office spaces. As a result, they contribute disproportionately to an organisation’s carbon footprint and are expensive to operate – especially when energy prices are high and/or volatile.
Q: Who sets energy use goals in labs?
A: The UK as a whole has committed to achieving net zero by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement, a legally-binding international treaty agreed by 195 parties 10 years ago in 2015.
Beyond that, much depends on what kind of organisation the lab is part of, who funds their research and whether or not financial support is being provided by government. So, university labs are subject to their institution’s overarching sustainability strategies, private funders increasingly prioritise climate control criteria and in the UK government affiliated research is subject to the Greening Government Commitments (GGC),
Q: Why do labs use so much energy?
A: In essence because the processes that are undertaken are potentially dangerous and the materials used in laboratory research are often dirty, hazardous or toxic. Consequently, they are subject to significant control and regulation and require energy-intense processes (like ventilation, heating, cooling and refrigeration) to operate safely and ensure the integrity of their findings.
Q: What is the most energy intense piece of equipment in the lab?
A: The fume cupboard or hood.
This is because of the amount of ventilation required to operate them safely. On average, a fume cupboard exhausts approximately 750 to 1,000 cubic feet of conditioned air per minute which is equivalent to the energy consumption of a medium-sized family home over 24 hours.
Q: What can lab managers do?
A: Lab energy use is significant, but so is the scope to reduce it, and fume cupboard ventilation is a great place to start.
Start by… switching to VAV
By integrating fume cupboards with energy-efficient airflow control and switching from Constant Air Volume (CAV) to Variable Air Volume (VAV), lab managers can ensure air is only replaced according to need without compromising on safety. Our pioneering VAV solutions offer lab managers energy savings of up to 85%.
Then…close the sash
Leaving the fume cupboard sash open when it’s not being used wastes energy and money. Our Auto Sash Controller uses a passive infra-red sensor (PIR) to monitor the workspace in front of a fume cupboard, automatically closing the sash when the operator isn’t present and reopening it when they return. This reduces the release of harmful substances and cuts energy consumption.
And…always use resources responsibly
We recently enhanced one of our airflow monitors (the AFA4000/E) with a gas sensor to monitor the saturation status of carbon filters in real time. Besides providing a vital safety function (an alarm is triggered when breakthrough is detected) lab managers can manage carbon filters more efficiently, only replacing them when they need to.
For help achieving your sustainability goals, give us a call on +44 (0) 1457 865 635.
