Credit 8: Improve Laboratory Equipment Efficiency
Intent
Save energy with efficient laboratory equipment.
Requirement
Credit 8.0 (1 Point)
Use Energy StarTM compliant equipment or equipment in the top 25th percentile for at least 75 percent of new Class 1 and Class 2 equipment and at least 30 percent of all Class 1 and Class 2 equipment. Acceptance of equipment in the 25th percentile requires a minimum of 4 different models that meet the functional needs of the research. If only 2 or 3 functionally equivalent models are available, acceptance requires selection of the most energy efficient model.
Definitions
Class 1 equipment is defined as equipment that due to is size, utility requirements or function requires that the utilities be hard piped or hard wired. Fumehoods are excluded. Examples: autoclaves, depyrogenation ovens, cold room, mass spectrometers, Nuclear Magnetic Resonators, etc.
Class 2 equipment is defined as equipment that occupies floor space rather than on the bench, but does not require hard piping or hard wiring. Examples: refrigerators, freezers, incubators, biological safety cabinets, laminar flow benches, centrifuges, etc.
If energy use data is not available for comparison, use peak power rating for the equipment, taking into account all fuels that the equipment uses (not just electricity).
Technologies & Strategies
Consider all domestic and foreign models available through U.S. suppliers.
Look for EnergyStar labeled products.
Work with lab users to identify equipment alternatives that are functionally equivalent from a user standpoint.
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