Sustainability is a topic of conversation in lab design communities. Many laboratory managers feel a particular need to focus in this direction. The unique needs and requirements of today’s modern lab can translate into a serious negative impact on the environment. This is due to excessive electrical and water consumption.
A LEED certified laboratory doesn’t come without a price, however. Lab managers often find themselves attempting to balance between budget and environmental impact. Fortunately, you can take specific actions within your lab construction project. These actions will help lessen your ecological footprint.
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What is Sustainability?
Sustainability can be defined as “the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level”. However, when applied to the environment it most often means that you’re attempting to meet present needs without compromising those of future generations. In other words, the concept of sustainability defies glib definitions. Nevertheless, it carries implications for economic health and vitality. It also carries implications for human and ecological systems.
Sustainability is based upon the premise that natural resources are finite, and should be carefully used and protected. Additionally, we must keep the long-term consequences of our actions in mind.
Laboratory Impact on the Environment
One figure that is commonly cited is the fact that laboratories tend to utilize four times or more the resources of a similarly-sized office building. Between hoods, additional ventilation, excess cooling and heating requirements, and lasers — labs in general tend to draw a significant amount of energy for daily operation.
However, it may be that relatively small changes in human behavior can have a considerable positive impact on the energy draw. You can do this simply by keeping a few basic tenets in mind:
- Look for ways to control electricity usage, such as adding automatic lighting controls and being careful to grab supplies from a freezer quickly instead of leaving the door open.
- Design your lab in such a way that you make efficient use of space, and allow for shared resources whenever possible.
- Maintain efficient ventilation by updating fume hoods and other critical pieces of equipment. SEFA-compliant fume hoods ensure that your lab is not only protecting the environment, but also your staff.
- Optimal building operation leads to a more sustainable laboratory by adding recycling options throughout your space for safe disposal of waste.
These small steps add up to big changes over the course of a year. Furthermore, they can be instituted without a great deal of trouble or upset from staff.
Create an Energy Management Plan
Defining your ideal energy usage, and consistently looking for ways to maximize your usage is simple as shifting how often the air is exchanged within the building. While you must be cautious to ensure that laboratory workers are always breathing safe air, there are downtimes during the day when there are fewer people in the building. Therefore, during these periods, air exchanges can be scaled back dramatically.
The reduced heating and cooling, as well as cutback in air circulation, create a compelling picture for change over the course of a year or more. Upfront costs to upgrade systems or building infrastructure will always be there. Nevertheless, the payoff comes with a more sustainable and habitable workspace.
Create Your Perfect Green Laboratory
Learn more about creating a sustainable lab when you work with the laboratory designers at OnePointe Solutions. Here you will find everything you need to outfit your lab. From casework to fume hoods and flooring, OnePointe Solutions offers a range of colors and styles to meet your needs.
Contact us today at (866) 612-7312 for a lab design cost analysis. We offer complimentary on-sites and detailed drawings with all price requests.