Shut the Sash Campaign
The Shut the Sash Campaign is aimed at lowering fume hood energy consumption when fume hoods are not in use. When left open, a single fume hood can use as much energy as 3.5 average American households in a year. There are 1850 fume hoods on campus.
What is a fume hood?
Fume hoods provide ventilation and limit exposure to hazardous materials. Most of CBC fume hoods are variable air flow fume hoods (VAV). VAV hoods adjust the hood face velocity based on the sash position or sash height. Meaning that the motor and fans work harder when the sash is fully open and the HVAC system has to work harder to condition air. So the higher the sash position, the more exhaust air is needed, and more energy is used. Lowering the sash results in significant energy savings.
How can you help?
Keep the fume hood sash as low as possible when working
Fully close the fume hood sash when not actively in use.
Keep the sash at the lowest level when working
If you are the last to leave the lab, do a final sweep to make sure all sashes are closed.
Sash Safety
The fume hood sash is also a safety barrier. The sash should only be open when setting up an experiment or working in the hood manipulating items in the hood. Even then the sash should be as low as possible. Even when the sash is shut, there is some air flow through the hood to remove any fumes.
Shut the Sash To Stay safe, avoid chemical exposure, and reduce energy use.
Be a Smart and Sustainable Buckeye.