Filtered Fume Hoods far less costly to operate, better for environment
A unique benefit of using a filtered fume hood is that, unlike ducted hoods, costly tempered room air is not exhausted from the laboratory. This can result in energy savings.
Note: If you have a large chemistry lab with a single fume hood, that fume hood should be exhausted to the outside to help meet minimum ventilation rates for health and safety.
If, however, you have one or more of your labs with the number of fume hoods far in excess of these ventilation minimums, this article is for you.
The Cost Comparison Chart below shows the lower lifetime costs of a filtered hood compared to a traditional ducted hood.
|
High Perform- ance Ducted VAV Hood |
Echo Filtered Fume Hood |
|
| 6' Benchtop Fume Hood | $16,200 | $31,900 |
| Building Infrastructure, Lab Services & Data | $25,000 | $2,000 |
| Total Initial, One-Time Costs | $41,200 | $33,900 |
The greatest savings of a filtered fume hood is illustrated by the make-up air cost—the Protector Echo has none. In addition, the Protector Echo eliminates air pollutant emissions into the atmosphere. The Neutrodine Unisorb Filter is made of plant-based carbon materials impregnated with neutral non-toxic agents. Once expended, the filters may be incinerated for environmentally-safe disposal.
|
High Perform- ance Ducted VAV Hood |
Echo Filtered Fume Hood |
|
|
Energy Cost per Year • Exhaust Fans • Make-Up Air at $8 per CFM |
$711 $4,992 |
$293 $0 |
| Annual Maintenance Costs | $1500 | $1800 |
| Total Annual Operating & Maintenance Cost | $7203 | $2093 |
Furthermore, the figures above do not include potential savings due to reduced chiller capacity resulting in a lower chilled water load.
GET FURTHER DETAIL: HOW FILTERED HOODS AFFECT YOUR BUDGET
How these figures were generated
This cost comparison is based on new construction and includes estimated costs per 6' fume hood with a vertical-rising sash configuration and utility connections, including compressed air, lab vacuum, natural gas, electrical power and data. Costs for the VAV high performance hood include the remote blower. Cost for the filtered fume hood includes the first set of filters, required upon installation.
National Grid and other local and national utility companies provide a first time equipment cost rebate of up to 70% of the difference in cost between a conventional constant volume by-pass hood and filtered fume hood. Energy rebate savings are not included in the figures above. Estimated building infrastructure cost (M-E-P Data) per fume hood based on new building construction with approximately 100 fume hoods. Estimated electrical energy costs per year per fume hood. Assumes fans operate 24 hours/day, 365 days/year, 8760 hours/year at $0.12kWh. Fan specified is 1 HP, 2" static pressure. Equivalent electrical load per NEC Article 430/full load current at 460 volts/3 phase/2.1 amps = 1.3 kWh. Estimated mechanical energy cost per year per fume hood: 6' CV (1,200 CFM x $8.00/CFM/year=$9,600), 6' VAV (800 CFM x $8.00/CFM/year=$6,400), 6' VAV HP (624 CFM x $8.00/CFM/year=$4,992).
Maintenance costs for CV, VAV and VAV HP includes yearly certifications. Costs for Filtered Hood includes filter replacement. Cost comparison data prepared by Ellensweig Architects in collaboration with BR+A Consulting Engineers, R.W. Sullivan Engineering and Vanderweil Engineers. The cost savings illustrated above do not take into account possible additional savings associated with a reduced floor to floor height related to possible reduced HVAC ductwork.
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