Energy Use and Savings Potential for Laboratory Fume Hoods

Evan Mills
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
Energy Analysis Department
MS 90-4000
1 Cyclotron Rd.
Berkeley, CA 94720

Dale Sartor
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
Applications Team
MS 90-3111
1 Cyclotron Rd.
Berkeley, CA 94720

December 6, 2004

Published in Energy

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Abstract

Typically relied upon as the primary source of ventilation in laboratory-type facilities, while also providing for safe conditions in areas in which experiments are being conducted, fume hoods are critical energy end-use devices. Fume hoods require large amounts of airflow, which drives the overall HVAC sizing and energy requirements of the buildings in which they are located. For standard two-meter (six-foot) hoods, per-hood energy costs range from $4,600 for moderate climates such as Los Angeles, USA to $9,300/year for extreme cooling climates such as Singapore. With an estimated 750,000 hoods in use in the U.S., the aggregate energy use and savings potential is significant. We estimate the annual operating cost of U.S. fume hoods at approximately $4.2 billion, with a corresponding peak electrical demand of 5,100 megawatts. With emerging technologies, per-hood savings of 50-75% can be safely and cost-effectively achieved.

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