10 Design Considerations for Setting Up a Smart, Sustainable Lab

Laboratories are some of the most resource-intensive spaces on the planet, using 10x more energy and 4x more water than office spaces and creating 12 billion pounds of waste each year. Going green is no longer an option but a requirement for creating long-term, positive changes to the way we operate in the lab. If you are part of a faculty setting up a new laboratory, or part of a team that is updating an existing lab, incorporating sustainable design elements should be a key priority.
 
Designing a smart, sustainable lab will offer your organization a variety of benefits, including the reduction of energy, water, and waste, helping your organization reach its carbon commitments while simultaneously lowering operating costs and promoting a healthier environment.
 
When establishing a new lab or updating your existing one, here are the top 10 design considerations to remember.
 
1. Purchase Energy and Water-Efficient Equipment
 
When setting up a lab, opt for energy and water-efficient equipment, especially those with eco-modes or built-in timers for shutdown. This goes for anything from tabletop lab equipment like vortexes, drying ovens, and water baths to bigger items like refrigerators and freezers. Keep an eye out for equipment with the U.S.’s ENERGY STAR, Europe’s EU Energy Label, or the relevant energy efficiency label for your region.
 
Check out the ACT Label database’s equipment category for more sustainable equipment options.
 
2. Set Up a Sharing System
 
By creating a sharing system within your organization, you can avoid the expense of buying new equipment and instead leverage existing resources. For instance, if your lab needs a specialized microscope or a mass spec, instead of pursuing funding to buy your own, speak with your organizational representative about creating a workflow to share existing equipment.
 
Additionally, if you do need to purchase new equipment, implement a sharing system of your own with those in need. Cultivating a sharing mentality makes new equipment a benefit to the entire department, ultimately reducing resource consumption and fostering a culture of collaboration.
​3. Enhance the Energy Efficiency of Fume Hoods
 
Fume hoods are significant drivers of energy usage in a lab. They are generally always on and continuously sucking in heated, cooled, or humidified air out of the building. There are sustainable choices you can make when purchasing fume hoods. If your lab doesn't use many caustic chemicals, consider ductless fume hoods that rely on filter systems to clear the air instead of the ventilation system, making them far more energy efficient. It’s recommended to check organizational and city regulations, as ultimately, this decision should be deferred to these bodies.
 
For fume hoods that are ducted into the ventilation system, there are two main types: constant air volume and variable air volume. Opt for variable air volume fume hoods – when closing the fume hood sash of a variable air volume fume hood, airflow will be reduced, and energy will be saved.
 
Closing your fume hood sash is one of the most impactful things you can do to save energy in the laboratory. To help remind your team to shut the sash, consider purchasing a fume hood with an auto-sash holder or sensor that notifies you if the sash is left open.
 
Fume hoods, at their root, are safety devices. Thinking about the application of the fume hood for the particular lab that you’re designing can be very useful in creating a sustainable environment.
 
4. Rethink Water Purification Systems
 
Water purification systems consume a lot of water and have expensive filters that need to be maintained. If a system already exists nearby, share! Take the time to walk down the hall to use an existing system instead of installing your own. If you need to buy new, as previously stated, consider a sharing program with other departments.
 
5. Install Low-Flow Aerators in Lab Sinks
 
Installing low-flow aerators in lab sinks can cut water flow by up to 50%, making it an easy engineering control to reduce water usage. Low-flow aerators simply screw onto the end of faucets and reduce flow without changing water pressure. This simple and cheap option that will significantly reduce water usage. Your organization may even have aerators on hand and can help install them. All you have to do is ask! Image from University of Colorado Boulder’s CU Green Labs Program
​6. Eliminate Single-Pass Cooling Systems
 
Single-pass cooling is a term used to describe a process that uses water to cool something once. In contrast, a closed-loop or recirculating system reuses water continuously. The process of single-pass cooling is not only wasteful, but it can be a safety hazard in the lab, as well.
 
Single-pass cooling can be found in equipment such as autoclaves and ice makers, and it’s commonly used to cool reactions in chemistry. By eliminating this process from your workflow, you can save hundreds of thousands of gallons of water each year and prevent the risk of flooding.
 
The alternative? Consider waterless condenser devices such as Findenser or Asynt, which can be used in place to cool chemicals in a synthesis reaction.
 
Or, instead of running water continuously to cool a reaction, see if your building has a closed-loop water system that you can hook into. If that isn’t an option, you can use a recirculating water bath. If you don’t have the budget for a recirculating water bath (they can be expensive), try an ice bucket and an aquarium pump to create your own DIY option. Efficiency on a budget is still efficiency!
 
7. Strategize Placement of Cold Storage Units
 
Proper placement of cold storage units like refrigerators and freezers is important, as these units reject a lot of heat. Avoid placing them in random areas that don't have good airflow (like closets or hallways). Instead, consolidate this equipment in areas that are designed for cold storage units to avoid overburdening the building's HVAC system.
 
Make sure you have backup power and a proper monitoring system, as well. Cold storage units are usually full of precious, expensive samples. If they fail, you risk the loss of years’ worth of work and potentially a lot of research funding.