An easy way to contribute to energy conservation is by shutting the fume hood sash when not in use. When open, a single fume hood can use as much energy as 3.5 homes! If your group is no longer using a specific fume hood, consider having it locked and decommissioned so air no longer flows through it.
Chill Up Freezer Set Points
Reduce the energy consumption of your ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers by changing the set point from -80 degrees Celsius to -70 degrees Celsius. Chilling up your freezer will save over 1000 kWh and over $100 in energy costs every year. It also prolongs your ULT freezer’s lifespan!
Power Down for Savings
Laboratory equipment makes up approximately 11% of Stanford’s electricity consumption. Can your lab equipment be turned off during the evenings and weekends? Aside from turning equipment off when not in use, you can also use an outlet timer to shut down and start up equipment automatically at set times to help conserve energy.
Rebates for Sustainable Storage
Did you know you can receive a full rebate for room temperature storage starter kits? Biological samples that are typically stored frozen can be stored at room temperature using a proprietary stabilization technology that Stanford developed in 2009. Contact labenergyrebates@stanford.edu for more information.
Lengthen the Lifespan of Freezers
Get the most out of ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers by maintaining them properly. View maintenance tips for great guidance on how to extend the life of ULTs to save on costs, reduce waste, and minimize energy consumption.
Are you buying a new ultra-low temperature freezer for a lab on Stanford’s main campus? Rebates are available for choosing energy efficient models, whether you are replacing an old freezer or purchasing new equipment. Contact labenergyrebates@stanford.edu for questions.
Whether washing lab glass in a sink or glassware washer, make sure to do so efficiently and use appropriate quality water for each task (e.g. use tap water for bulk rinsing of dirty glassware and use progressively purer water with each step, only as needed). When replacing old glassware washers, choosing a water and energy efficient model can save thousands of dollars in operating costs. The School of Medicine saves over $330,000 annually from upgrading their glassware washers to more efficient models.
Sterilizers and Autoclaves
Autoclaves and sterilizers can use several hundred gallons of water every day to sanitize glassware and cool the hot water used for sanitizing before sending it down the drain. Make sure to turn off equipment when not in use and only run full loads.
To greatly reduce the water consumption of your autoclave or sterilizer, ensure it is outfitted with a water miser, which reduces the amount of cooling water by monitoring the temperature of the system and applying cold water only when needed. When a water miser was installed on a sterilizer in Stanford’s Gilbert Biology Building, the building’s water consumption was reduced by 50%. For even further savings, use reverse osmosis wastewater for sterilizer cooling water.
Other Lab Equipment
Vacuum pumps/aspirators: Wet/liquid ring vacuum pumps use approximately 15 liters of water per minute. Use a dry vacuum pump instead.
Cooling Lab Equipment: For cooling lasers, electron microscopes, or other research equipment, use recirculating closed loop chilled water. Using once-through cooling water is prohibited by Santa Clara County.
Wise About Wastewater
Through its management practices, Stanford’s wastewater pollution prevention program achieves high standards for compliance and environmental stewardship. The Environmental Quality Group works to ensure awareness of the regulatory requirements for proper storage and disposal of waste that could impact wastewater quality, blockages, and compliance.
Initial rinses from chemical bottles and containers that have been in contact with hazardous or prohibited materials cannot be discharged to the sanitary sewer unless authorized in advance by Stanford Utilities. This includes initial rinses from hand washed glassware using acids, bases, solvents, or alcohols, as well as chemical reagents or additives containing metals like thimerosal or copper, or copper containing algaecides. Initial rinses should be contained and disposed by Environmental Health & Safety. The use of water aspirators is prohibited in discarding wastewater.Review the wastewater best management practices fact sheet for a detailed overview.
