Best Practices

• Autoclaves
  • If you are looking to purchase an electric autoclave, be sure it has a timer so it goes off until needed again, or cycles off at night.
  • Choose autoclaves that have minimal water use.
• Centrifuges
  • Keep rotors in the refrigerator and turn off the centrifuge when not in use. They reach the temperature setting in about 20 minutes.
• Heat Blocks
  • Obtain a timer for the heatblock to automatically shut off during the period not in use(i.e. nighttime).
• Regular Refrigerators
  • Defrost and clean refrigerator/freezer coils
  • Eliminate old samples in your freezer
• Ultra Low Temperature Freezers
  • Set temperature setting at -70'C instead of -80'C
  • Defrost and clean refrigerator/freezer coils
  • Eliminate old samples in your freezer
• Actions
  • ALWAYS Close Fume Hood sashes
  • Use a task light if alone in the lab
  • Use multi-level light switches appropriately
  • Leave hall lights off if standby lights are adequate
  • Choose the right size appliance
  • Use timers for water valves set to minimum necessary time
  • Wash labware efficiently

• More detailed best practices can be found in LabRATS Best Practice
• Labs21 best practice guides