Lab Building – Fume Cupboard Hibernation Programme

September 2nd 2026

Project Overview

Following a review of the VAV control system and the use of fume cupboards energy-saving measures were implemented on laboratory fume cupboards within the lab Building.  The project focused on reducing ventilation energy consumption through improved fume cupboard control and operational management.

Challenge

Laboratory fume cupboards are among the most energy-intensive assets in research facilities due to their continuous exhaust requirements and associated heating demands. 

A number of fume cupboards in this building were found to be lightly or intermittently used.  By enabling the use of a ‘Hibernation’ feature on all the fume cupboards in the building these cupboards could be set to a very low extract volume flow rate while not in use.  As soon as the sash was raised the fume cupboard automatically returned to its original extract rates and full VAV control.

The objective was to reduce energy use while maintaining laboratory functionality and safety.

Solution

Energy-saving controls were introduced across the building’s fume cupboards and the users received instructions on how to use the hibernation modes to significantly reduce airflows during periods of inactivity.

Results

Electricity Savings

Comparison of metering data for the first five months following implementation showed:

Metric	Result
Electricity reduction	11%
Annualised electricity saving	422,653 kWh
Carbon reduction from electricity	173 tonnes CO₂

Heating Energy Savings

Although no direct heating metering was available, estimates were calculated based on historic fume cupboard energy use.

For ten cupboards placed into hibernation:

Metric	Result
Heating energy reduction	99,009 kWh/year
Additional carbon reduction	20.2 tonnes CO₂

Total Environmental Impact

Metric	Annual Result
Electricity saving	422,653 kWh
Carbon reduction from electricity	173 tonnes CO₂
Additional carbon reduction from heating	20.2 tonnes CO₂
Total carbon reduction	193 tonnes CO₂

Business Benefits

• Immediate reduction in energy consumption
• Significant carbon savings
• Improved laboratory sustainability performance
• Demonstrated effectiveness of behavioural and controls-based interventions
• Scalable approach suitable for wider deployment

Key Takeaway

The large lab project delivered an estimated annual reduction of 193 tonnes of CO₂ through a combination of improved fume cupboard controls and hibernation strategies, proving that operational optimisation can deliver major sustainability benefits without large capital investment.