Laboratory User Reports on Energy-Saving Biosafety Cabinets, Freezers, and Refrigerators
Mitsy Canto-Jacobs, HDR CUH2A
In 2009, it is still very difficult to find reliable information for laboratory equipment energy consumption. There are no Consumer Report-type or ENERGY STAR® databases that compare the range of products and manufacturers that serve the laboratory community, nor is there a third-party testing system to allow ratings for public use. This presentation provides an update on this situation. This presentation will share a database compiled from surveys of laboratory clients, and will raise issues regarding other non-energy-related criteria that affect decisions to buy products. The study focused on three types of energy-saving laboratory products by manufacturers A, B, and C in each equipment group. The study confirms the Labs21 Approach and recommendations regarding manufacturer and end-user information. The major lesson to be shared is that end users or clients should be encouraged to adopt test standards for measuring energy use and power data at their facilities. Methods such as using ElitePro data loggers over one week in case study laboratories (as promoted by Labs21) would help to develop our common knowledge and to stimulate innovation in product development.
Biography:
Mitsy Canto-Jacobs, LEED® AP, is a senior laboratory planner. Educated at the University of the Philippines and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she has more than 20 years of diverse experience in Asia and the United States. The last 10 years have been focused on the design and construction of laboratories for clients including the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, and the Department of Defense. Over the years, client requests for recommendations on the purchase of key laboratory equipment inspired a search for methods to compare products. Ms. Canto-Jacobs has reviewed different resources, including the Labs21 wiki website, to develop a current database for laboratory equipment planning that addresses the informational needs for LEED certification and life cycle cost savings.