When looking to meet sustainability goals and improve overall energy efficiency, laboratory equipment often comes under review. Fume hoods are an essential piece of equipment that can also be one of the more substantial up-front expenditures. When looking to meet sustainability goals for a greener lab, however, it’s important to consider whether ducted or ductless models, or a mix of the two, are the best fit.
Reducing the HVAC Burden
Ducted fume hoods rely on external ducting to remove hazardous vapors from the laboratory space. While effective at containment, these systems are also energy-intensive. Each time a ducted hood pulls air from the lab, that air must be replaced and reconditioned, placing a constant load on the building’s HVAC system.
Ductless fume hoods are typically more energy-efficient compared to ducted hoods. They use a closed-loop system that recirculates air, eliminating the need for constant heating or cooling of exhausted air. Reducing the volume of air that must be conditioned by HVAC units can lead to significant cost savings and reduce strain on HVAC systems without compromising lab safety.
Air Quality and Consumables
Ducted fume hoods offer the benefit of direct exhaust to the outside environment. They can be used with or without filters, depending on the hood design and the application needs. For applications that handle highly hazardous chemicals or generate large volumes of volatile vapors, ducted fume hoods can be a better option to ensure air quality by reducing the risk of filter saturation or breakthrough.
Since ductless fume hoods recirculate air, they rely on activated carbon filters to capture harmful and potentially harmful vapors (and particulates when used with HEPA/ULPA filters). This makes regular filter changes a necessity, which can contribute to increased consumable expenses.
A Greener Path Forward
Energy efficiency doesn’t have to come at the expense of lab safety. In short, when looking to find fume hood equipment that supports green initiatives, it’s best to balance application and regulatory needs with the benefits of either system.
For high-volume applications or those that require direct venting, Air Science Ducted Fume Hoods are the best solution. Since ducted fume hoods do not always require regular filter replacements, this can lead to lower consumable costs over time. The Air Science Purair® DUCTED and Total EXHAUST™ are designed with an adjustable air intake face velocity to provide the desired balance between conditioned room air conservation and the necessary volume of exhausted contaminated air. Air Science ductless fume hoods, on the other hand, provide long-term savings in reduced energy bills.
Ready to go greener in your lab? Shop for ducted and ductless fume hoods on ductless.com.
