How to save energy in the labs and offices
We collected some energy saving tips for your everyday lab and office life. To be continued.
- Keep doors closed for efficient technical ventilation and heating
- Switch on devices only when and for as long as needed and avoid stand-by mode
- Activate "Hibernate" mode on all computers (LMU insider: currently not possible for “MWN”-computers)
- Only "quick airing" of room (no windows permanently open), during which thermostat is put on position 1
- When leaving:
- Reduce heating
- Close windows
- Devices and lights off
All freezers and fridges
- Organize and clean out your samples
- Reduce opening times
- Keep clear of ice
- Reduce the number of freezers and fridges
Ultralow temperature freezers
Setting ULT freezers to -70 °C instead of -80 °C can save a lot of energy. ”-70 is the new -80”: check out resources of My Green Lab regarding ULT freezers and what impact changing the temperature has:
- Facts and Figures from My Green Lab
- Brochure by Radboud university medical center (PDF, 300 KB)
- International Freezer Challenge
- Tips and information on freezer management by LMU (only accessible for LMU members)
- Click here for a list of samples successfully stored at -70°C provided by e.g., UC Boulder
- Defrost regularly
- Regularly vacuum the condenser filter and coils to ensure efficient cooling
Deep freezers (-20°C)
- BMC Green Lab Initiative observed that -20°C freezers are often colder than their settings (e.g., a freezer set to -21°C was at -26°C)
- Freezers colder than -20°C (when set to -20°C) can be turned up to save energy
- Regularly organize and defrost freezers (at least twice a year)
- Close fume hood sash whenever not in use (fume hoods demand a large amount of energy)
- Switch off biosafety cabinets whenever not in use (especially at the end of the day)
- Coordinate the work in biosafety cabinets (e.g., with time tables)
- Only start autoclaves when they are full
- Autoclaves can use up to 230 liters of water per cycle