Call Us: 301-252-5647
10 Energy-Saving Laboratory Practices: How Labs Reduce Costs Without Sacrificing Performance
Energy-saving laboratory practices are becoming essential as labs across universities, biotech startups, pharmaceutical companies, and clinical facilities strive to reduce operational costs and meet sustainability standards. With laboratories consuming three to five times more energy than standard commercial buildings, improving laboratory energy efficiency can significantly lower utility costs without compromising research output.
This guide outlines ten practical strategies any lab can adopt to cut energy waste, improve equipment lifespan, and support more sustainable laboratory practices.
1. Optimize Cold Storage Use (Freezers & Refrigerators)
Ultra-low temperature freezers and laboratory refrigerators are among the highest energy consumers in any research environment. Simple changes can dramatically reduce their power draw:
- Keep units at recommended temperatures
- Clean filters and remove ice buildup
- Avoid overloading or under-utilizing storage space
- Keep an organized inventory to reduce unnecessary door openings
To ensure you’re using the right cold-storage device for your workflow, see: Lab Refrigerators vs. Freezers: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each.
2. Consolidate Underused Equipment
Running two half-full freezers, incubators, or ovens wastes electricity and increases HVAC load. Regular equipment audits help labs identify:
- Duplicate devices
- Under-loaded freezers
- Idle ovens or water baths
When possible, consolidate workloads and power down unnecessary equipment to reduce lab energy consumption.
3. Maintain Proper Humidity and Environmental Control
Excess humidity forces freezers, ovens, and other equipment to work harder, increasing energy consumption. Maintaining proper environmental conditions reduces strain on climate-sensitive instruments.
For deeper guidance, see Humidity Control in Laboratories: Protecting Equipment and Results.
4. Choose Energy-Efficient Lab Equipment When Upgrading
Not all devices draw power equally. When procuring new or refurbished equipment, prioritize models designed with energy-saving equipment features such as:
- Variable-speed or ECM compressors
- High-density insulation
- Smart defrost cycles
- Low-heat LED lighting
- Regenerative braking (centrifuges)
- Automatic sash closers (fume hoods)
Selecting energy-efficient lab equipment reduces long-term operating costs, especially for systems that run continuously.
5. Implement a “Shut the Sash” Culture for Fume Hoods
Fume hoods are notorious energy users. A single open hood can consume as much energy as several homes. Training staff to close the sash when not in use can:
- Reduce airflow waste
- Lower HVAC load
- Improve lab safety
- Cut annual energy costs by thousands
This is one of the simplest and most impactful energy-saving laboratory practices for academic and industrial labs alike.
6. Clean, Calibrate, and Maintain Equipment Regularly
Efficient machines use less energy. Dirty coils, clogged filters, and worn-out components all force equipment to work harder.
Routine maintenance improves:
- Temperature stability
- Airflow consistency
- Mechanical efficiency
- Lifespan of compressors and motors
For a deeper breakdown of why calibration impacts efficiency, energy use, and long-term performance, see: Lab Equipment Calibration and Maintenance: Why Accuracy Depends on It.
7. Optimize Equipment Placement
Heat-producing devices such as incubators, ovens, and autoclaves should be spaced apart rather than clustered.
Good placement:
- Reduces room temperature spikes
- Lowers HVAC load
- Prevents overheating
- Improves airflow
Even separating two ovens by a few feet can meaningfully cut energy use.
8. Reduce Standby and Idle Power Loads
Many laboratories leave instruments powered unnecessarily, including:
- Unused water baths
- Computer-controlled devices left in active mode
- Incubators running empty
- Centrifuges still plugged in when not in use
Where operationally safe, turn instruments to low-power or standby mode; or shut them down entirely during off-hours.
9. Use Smart Monitoring and Temperature Mapping
Modern monitoring solutions help labs identify inefficiencies and catch problems early.
Smart systems track:
- Temperature fluctuations
- Power usage trends
- Door-open frequency
- Equipment response cycles
10. Replace Equipment When Maintenance Costs Exceed Efficiency Gains
Older freezers, ovens, and incubators often become energy liabilities. Excessive cycling, unstable temperatures, and rising repair costs are signs the unit is draining more money than it's worth.
Refurbished equipment is an excellent solution for labs seeking both sustainability and budget efficiency. High-quality refurbished units go through inspection, calibration, and performance verification, ensuring reliable performance at a fraction of the energy footprint and cost of running an aging unit.
Final Thoughts: Building a More Sustainable, Cost-Efficient Lab
Improving sustainability doesn’t require major renovations or expensive overhauls. By adopting these ten energy-saving laboratory practices and selecting energy-efficient lab equipment when upgrades are needed, labs can:
- Cut operational costs
- Extend equipment lifespan
- Reduce environmental impact
- Improve reliability and research continuity
To explore new and refurbished energy-saving equipment for your facility, browse LEI Sales’ catalog of laboratory freezers, ovens, refrigerators, and more. Every unit, new or refurbished, is professionally tested, verified, and ready to support high-performance, sustainable laboratory operations.
