The Shut the Sash Challenge is a six-week Energy Reduction Event
Through a friendly competition and spirit challenge, the initiative encourages lab users to adopt one simple but impactful habit—closing the sash when the fume hood is not in use.
Tasks
The Shut the Sash Challenge is a six-week competition that aims to encourage lab users to reduce energy through one simple action—closing laboratory fume hood sashes.
Challenge task
Close the laboratory fume hood to:
- Conserve the most energy, and
- Achieve the largest average sash height change
Spirit Tasks
In addition to implementing the Shut the Sash action, lab faculty, staff and students are encouraged to demonstrate their energy reduction spirit. By completing the spirit tasks described below each lab will be awarded points that will be added to the energy conservation achieved from closing the lab fume hoods.
Earn points for your lab by completing the below creative, educational and team-based activities that promote energy-conscious behaviour.
Submit all entries to sustainability.ok@ubc.ca and let us know if you’re comfortable with us sharing your submission in future newsletters or outreach.
Photo—two points
Snap a photo of you and your lab team shutting the sash in action. Send your photo by email and help us spread the word.
Sticker check—four points
Ensure that every fume hood in your lab has a Shut the Sash sticker clearly visible. To earn points, email us to request a spot check during our next visit.
Tongue twister—three points
Challenge a team member to say “Shut the Sash” ten times, as fast as they can—we dare you to make it past five. Record the video and send it by email or share the link.
Custom prompt—four points
Design your own sash reminder—a sign, sticker, or creative prompt—and display it in your lab. Email us a photo of your prompt in action.
Email to your lab—four points (+one bonus point)
Write an informative or humorous email to your lab group (and CC us!) explaining why fume hoods are energy-intensive and how shutting the sash can help.
Bonus: Earn an extra point if your email gives us a good laugh.
Audio cue—three points
Install a fun sound device—like a Staples “easy” button or a slide whistle—to celebrate each time the sash is shut. Send us a photo of your setup.
Song challenge—four points (+two bonus points)
Rewrite the lyrics of a song—or compose your own—about shutting the sash or saving energy in the lab. Share the lyrics with your team and CC us.
Bonus: Earn two extra points if you perform your song! Record a video, upload it, and email us the link.
2024 Challenge Results and Winners
This year, research and undergraduate labs in the Science, EME and Innovation Precinct #1 buildings will be taking part the October – November 2024 event.
The above participating labs achieved a 16% reduction in fume hood sash height over the challenge compared to baseline. Actions undertaken during this year’s event also conserved 3,016 kWh and 11.21 GJ of energy, reduced emissions by 593.23 kgCO2e and saved the campus $470 in associated costs.
| Energy reduction winners | Height reduction winners |
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For a full list of results, download the 2024 Challenge Results.