Laboratory fume hoods are essential safety equipment, but they are also among the most energy-intensive devices in a research setting. Each hood can consume as much energy as three to four homes when left fully open and running continuously.
In the future, we hope to offer tools, signage, and other support. For now, we invite labs to explore best practices and resources to reduce the environmental and financial impact of their fume hood use.
Best practices for sustainable use
- Shut the sash: Closing the sash when not in use reduces airflow and dramatically cuts energy usage.
- Decommission unused hoods: Evaluate whether older or rarely used hoods can be removed or shut down, especially during lab renovations or repurposing.