A fume hood is a crucial safety component in the laboratory that protects researchers from inhaling harmful vapors. Here’s what you can do to save money while purchasing a chemical fume hood. Even if you find fume hoods for sale at low prices, you might still be wasting money. That’s why we’ve compiled the most important money-saving factors to consider while buying a fume hood.
Here are key factors to consider to avoid wasting money when purchasing a fume hood:
● Consider purchasing a used fume hood
The best way to save money purchasing a fume hood is to purchase a used fume hood. Chemical fume hoods are durable products with a very long life cycle. Many fume hoods with the proper care can last 50 years.
There are two main purchasing options for acquiring a used fume hood: As-Is and reconditioned. The lowest priced option is As-Is condition. The greatest advantages of an As-Is hood package is the price and quick lead time. The price will range from free to 10% of the cost of a new hood. The lead time typically will be less than four weeks. The disadvantage is the condition of the hood. It will likely be contaminated, rusty, dirty, and non-functioning. Solving these problems will be the responsibility or the buyer.
The reconditioned option is the best value when considering purchasing a fume hood. While not new, the fume hood vendor will decontaminate, clean, treat rust, and fully repair the fume hood to original operating condition. Some vendors will offer repainting services and additional options (gas packages, cold water package, air velocity monitor, exhaust blower, specialty cabinets, and special packaging) also. Reconditioned fume hoods prices range from 30-50% of the price of a new fume hood. The lead time typically is 2-6 weeks.
● Energy Efficiency equals operating cost savings
The total cost of a fume hood is not only the capital investment for the fume hood package, but also the cost of shipping, installation, ventilation system, and the long term operating cost. Much of the operating cost involves the moving of conditioned air (heated or cooled) from the lab through the fume hood and out the exhaust. Conditioning air is expensive and should be considered when purchasing a fume hood.
Standard fume hoods exhaust approximately 125-150 fpm of air. High efficiency fume hoods are designed to reduce the air flow to 60-100 fpm. Therefore, the operating costs should be factored when considering the type of fume hood.
● Consider a ductless fume hood
Some applications are suitable for considering a ductless fume hood. A ductless fume hood combines safety and energy efficiency by recirculating exhausted air through a specialized filter and exhausting the air back into the lab. The specialized filter can be customized to the user’s chemical load. There are many advantages to using a ductless option: 1) eliminates the exhaust blower and the cost of installing a ventilation system, 2) reduces the operating costs by eliminating the loss of conditioned lab air, 3) much easier to install, and 4) can be moved easily.
Not all applications are amenable to the use of a ductless fume hood. Ductless hoods are only able to handle a limited number of chemicals and are not designed for continuous use. The main operational cost will be for filter changes. Heavy chemical use will require more frequent filter changes.
● Select the Right Size
When considering a fume hood purchase, one should consider the optimal size. As noted above, the operating costs are a significant contribution to the overall cost of a fume hood. Fume hoods come in various sizes (length, depth, and height); choosing the optimal size is important.
The number of people that will be working in the fume hood and the size of the equipment used in the hood helps determine the size you’ll need in your lab. Another major determinant of the most suitable fume hood size for your lab is the size of the lab itself. A large fume hood may make moving around a small lab complicated.
The interior dimensions of a fume hood should also be considered. The depth, width, and height of the workspace is varied. The standard working area depth and height are typically 25 and 48 inches respectively. Specialty hoods are available with working areas of 48 inches deep and 96 inches tall.
● Ventilation Control
While ventilation control is not a factor with a ductless fume hood, there are two options to consider when selecting a ducted fume hood- variable and constant air volume.
Variable air volume(VAV) reduces airflow when the sash is lowered and increases it when the sash is elevated. It offers higher energy efficiency due to its reduced overall airflow. Also, VAV has the advantage of reducing operation costs.
Constant air volume(CAV) offers the same level of airflow whether the sash is lowered or raised. Since the exhaust blower pulls a constant airflow, CAV is less energy efficient. However, it is a good option for labs where heavy-duty performance is not required.
Conclusion
Choosing the right fume hood is crucial to ensuring safety from dangerous chemicals and vapors in your lab. The process of researching and purchasing the right lab hood can seem like a daunting task. There are so many options to choose from and so much information to gather in order to make an informed decision. Considering the factors mentioned above will help you save money by pinpointing what you need and avoiding waste.
