Shut the Sash
Fume hoods are major energy users in laboratories. By closing the sash when not in use, you can significantly reduce energy consumption, lower emissions and help create a more sustainable lab environment.
What you can do
If your lab is equipped with a fume hood, you can significantly reduce energy consumption by keeping the sash closed whenever the hood is not in use.
Whether you’re between experiments, stepping away for a break or wrapping up for the day, shutting the sash helps conserve energy and supports a more sustainable research environment.
An open fume hood can consume as much energy as 3.5 homes, not because of the equipment itself, but due to the constant flow of conditioned air being drawn through it.
For example, fume hoods can account for up to 20 per cent of the UBC Okanagan Science Building’s total energy consumption, largely due to the constant heating, cooling and ventilation of large volumes of air.
For safety, labs use 100 per cent outside air, which must be heated or cooled before being circulated. This process requires substantial energy, both for conditioning the air and operating the large fans that supply and exhaust it throughout the building.
Most newer or recently upgraded labs at UBC Okanagan are equipped with variable air volume fume hoods. These systems adjust airflow based on the sash height—the lower the sash, the less air is exhausted.
By keeping the sash closed when the hood is not actively in use, you reduce the volume of conditioned air required and lessen the load on the building’s ventilation systems, resulting in significant energy savings.
The sash acts as a key safety barrier between you and your experiment. It should remain closed unless you’re actively setting up, adjusting or working within the fume hood. Airflow continues even when the sash is shut, ensuring proper ventilation.
Avoid using fume hoods for chemical storage. Safety cabinets are the appropriate solution and do not rely on large volumes of airflow.
If your research group is no longer using a particular fume hood, consider having it locked and decommissioned to further reduce unnecessary energy use. To explore this option, contact Facilities Management.
Shut the Sash Challenge
The Shut the Sash Challenge is an annual six-week campaign designed to reduce energy use and emissions associated with laboratory fume hoods. 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.
In addition to implementing the Shut the Sash action, students, faculty and staff in labs are encouraged to demonstrate their energy reduction spirit. By completing the spirit tasks, each lab will be awarded points that will be added to the energy conservation achieved from closing the lab fume hoods.
Close the laboratory fume hood to:
- Conserve the most energy
- To achieve the largest average sash height change
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
The participating labs achieved a 16 per cent 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.