Energy Efficiency

One goal of Green Labs is to reduce energy consumption within labs, educate participants on proper energy saving techniques, and provide resources/tools for implementing energy efficiency throughout the labs.

In a 2012 energy assessment, laboratories made up 47% percent of total electricity usage on campus. By 2018, we've moved that percentage down to 34% but since laboratory square footage is only 20% of campus, we still have a lot of potential for savings.  

Best Energy Practices

• Keep the fume hoods sash shut or lowered when not in use. Add date fume hood sticker was installed.

• Practice energy conscious experiments (i.e. not refluxing overnight, not running an oven to dry a sample over the weekend, unplugging hot plates, and incubators when not in use).

• Use appropriately sized containers for ice, dry ice, and liquid nitrogen (oversized containers waste material and energy, so only take the amount you need).

• Post and follow any exit procedure reminders to practice energy savings (i.e. turn off lights, unplug acceptible equipment, click off power strips, etc).

• Unplug unused electronic devices.

• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs or LEDs in all applicable light fixtures.

• Use lighting strategies (i.e. task lighting, bi-level lighting).

• Make power strips easily accessible.

• Don't use screen savers.

• Use smart strips/ecostrips or any other energy efficiency power strip device (sensored powerstrips that may turn off automatically when not in use).

• Have an annual lab cleanup day that includes thawing freezers.

• Use EnergyStar (or other high-efficiency) appliances.

Shut the Sash