SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Energy efficiency is becoming an important consideration for Australian laboratories seeking to manage operating costs while maintaining appropriate safety and ventilation standards. As universities, research facilities, educational institutions and industrial laboratories review their equipment, energy-efficient fume cupboard solutions are attracting attention as part of broader efforts to improve laboratory operations.

Fume cupboards play an essential role in controlling exposure to hazardous airborne substances during laboratory procedures. However, their ventilation requirements can contribute to a facility's overall energy consumption, particularly when extraction systems operate for extended periods. Selecting suitable equipment, reviewing airflow controls and maintaining system

performance can help organisations make informed decisions about both safety and operational efficiency.
Dynaflow, an Australian-owned laboratory fume risk control company established in 1981, provides fume cupboards, ventilation equipment, control systems, testing, maintenance and upgrade services. Its product and service offering supports organisations seeking appropriate fume control solutions for laboratories across education, research and industrial environments.

As laboratory managers assess existing equipment and plan future installations, the relationship between ventilation performance, energy use and workplace safety remains an important part of the decision-making process.

Why Energy Efficiency Matters in Laboratory Ventilation

Laboratory ventilation systems are designed to help manage exposure to hazardous substances and maintain suitable working conditions. Depending on the facility, these systems may operate for long periods and require considerable energy to move and condition air.

Fume cupboards are one part of this wider ventilation arrangement. Their energy requirements can depend on factors such as cupboard design, exhaust airflow, control technology, operating hours and the configuration of the building's ventilation system.
For facilities managing multiple laboratories, understanding these factors can help identify opportunities to review operating practices and equipment performance.

Energy efficiency should not be assessed in isolation. A laboratory must continue to meet the containment requirements associated with its activities, and any changes to ventilation settings should be evaluated by suitably qualified professionals.

A well-considered approach involves examining how the equipment is used, whether its controls are appropriate for the application and whether the wider ventilation system is operating as intended.

Selecting Suitable Fume Cupboards for Long-Term Performance

Equipment selection can influence laboratory performance throughout the service life of a fume cupboard. Choosing a model that matches the intended application helps ensure that the system is appropriately designed for the substances being handled and the procedures being undertaken.

Laboratory managers should consider the required containment performance, chemical compatibility, sash design, exhaust arrangements, control systems and maintenance requirements before making a purchasing decision.
The size and configuration of the cupboard also matter. Equipment that is unsuitable for the available workspace or the laboratory's activities may create operational difficulties and lead to unnecessary modifications.

When comparing fume cupboard suppliers, organisations should look beyond the initial purchase price. Product suitability, installation requirements, servicing arrangements and the availability of technical support can all affect long-term ownership costs.

Dynaflow provides standard and specialised fume cupboard options alongside supporting ventilation equipment. These options allow laboratory operators to assess different configurations according to their specific needs.

A suitable selection process can help facilities avoid purchasing equipment that is unnecessarily complex or poorly matched to the intended application.

The Role of Airflow Controls in Energy Management

Airflow controls are an important consideration when laboratories review ventilation performance. Depending on the design, control systems can help manage airflow in response to operating conditions and provide information about the equipment's status.

Variable airflow systems, where appropriate for the application, may adjust ventilation demand according to factors such as sash position. This can offer opportunities to reduce energy use compared with systems that maintain a higher constant airflow under all operating conditions.

However, the suitability of a particular control system depends on the fume cupboard, the building's ventilation infrastructure and the hazards associated with laboratory work.

Controls must be configured and commissioned correctly. Poorly designed or incorrectly adjusted systems can undermine the intended performance of the equipment.

Laboratory operators should therefore seek technical advice before modifying airflow settings or replacing existing controls. Any proposed change should be assessed to ensure that containment requirements remain satisfied.

Dynaflow offers fume cupboard control systems and related upgrade services that laboratories can consider when reviewing their equipment. The potential benefits of an upgrade will depend on the existing installation and the proposed solution.

Sash Management and Everyday Operating Practices

Day-to-day operating practices can influence both fume cupboard performance and energy consumption. One important consideration is the position of the sash, which provides a physical barrier between the user and the working area.

Where the equipment is designed for it, closing the sash when the cupboard is not actively being used may help reduce the volume of air that needs to be extracted. This can support energy management when combined with an appropriately designed and configured ventilation system.

Laboratory personnel should follow the manufacturer's instructions and site-specific procedures for sash positioning. The sash should remain at the required working height during procedures, and users should not close or adjust it in ways that interfere with safe operation.

Other good practices include keeping airflow openings clear, avoiding unnecessary clutter and ensuring that equipment is positioned in accordance with the cupboard's operating instructions.

Staff training can help establish consistent habits across a laboratory. Clear guidance about alarms, sash positions and reporting equipment faults also supports a more organised approach to fume cupboard use.

These measures should form part of a broader laboratory safety programme rather than being treated as stand-alone energy-saving activities.

Maintenance Helps Support Efficient Operation

A fume cupboard's performance can change as components wear, ventilation systems are modified or operating conditions evolve. Regular inspection and maintenance can help identify issues that may affect both equipment reliability and energy use.

Problems such as damaged components, poorly functioning controls or changes in exhaust performance may require further investigation. The appropriate response depends on the equipment and the nature of the issue.

Preventative maintenance provides an opportunity to review the condition of the system and identify work that may be required. It can also help laboratory managers plan servicing and reduce the likelihood of unexpected interruptions.

Performance testing is another important part of this process. Testing can help establish whether the fume cupboard is operating as intended and whether further assessment or corrective action is necessary.

Testing intervals should reflect applicable standards, manufacturer recommendations, risk assessments and actual operating conditions. Laboratories should maintain records of inspections, testing and repairs to support ongoing equipment management.
Dynaflow provides testing, maintenance and repair services for fume cupboards and related ventilation equipment. These services can assist laboratory operators when reviewing equipment condition and planning ongoing maintenance.

Importantly, energy efficiency should never be pursued by reducing ventilation below the level needed for safe containment. Any performance or control adjustment should be supported by an appropriate technical assessment.
Upgrading Existing Equipment to Meet Changing Needs

Many laboratories operate equipment that has been in service for years. While older fume cupboards may remain suitable for their intended applications, changes in laboratory processes, control technology or maintenance requirements can make an equipment review worthwhile.

An upgrade assessment can help determine whether existing components or controls can be improved or whether replacement would be a more appropriate option.

Potential areas for review include sash mechanisms, airflow monitoring, control systems and the condition of the associated ventilation infrastructure. The scope of work should be based on the equipment's condition and the requirements of the laboratory.
A successful upgrade must preserve the required containment performance and remain compatible with the wider ventilation system. Laboratory managers should not assume that installing newer controls automatically delivers energy savings or establishes compliance.

Dynaflow offers fume cupboard repair and upgrade services, including control system improvements. Organisations can consider these services when planning refurbishment projects or assessing whether their existing equipment continues to meet operational needs.

An informed decision should consider the cost of the proposed work, expected equipment life, maintenance requirements and any disruption associated with installation.

Balancing Energy Savings With Laboratory Safety

Although reducing energy consumption is a reasonable operational objective, laboratory safety must remain the primary consideration when managing fume cupboard ventilation.

Reducing extraction rates without confirming that the equipment can maintain adequate containment may expose laboratory personnel to hazardous substances. Likewise, changing sash operating practices or altering ventilation controls without technical guidance can create unintended risks.

Facilities should therefore assess energy-saving opportunities through a structured process that considers the hazards, equipment specifications and applicable requirements.

This process may involve reviewing ventilation performance, examining operating schedules, assessing the suitability of existing controls and consulting specialists familiar with laboratory fume risk management.
Laboratory managers should also ensure that changes are communicated to staff and supported by updated procedures where
necessary.

By combining energy management with appropriate technical assessment, organisations can pursue operational improvements without compromising their responsibility to provide a safe working environment.

The Importance of Working With Experienced Fume Cupboard Suppliers

Choosing a supplier with relevant technical experience can help laboratories navigate the considerations involved in equipment selection, installation, testing and ongoing maintenance.

Beyond product availability, laboratory operators may need advice about specialised applications, ventilation arrangements, control technology and the suitability of upgrades for existing equipment.

A supplier that provides a range of related services can also help organisations coordinate different stages of an equipment project. This can be particularly useful when laboratories are planning new facilities, refurbishing existing spaces or managing several fume cupboards across a site.

Dynaflow has operated in the laboratory fume risk control sector since 1981. Its offering includes fume cupboards, fume scrubbers, ventilation equipment, control systems, testing, maintenance, repairs, upgrades and training.

The company's services support laboratories seeking to assess their equipment requirements and develop practical plans for maintaining fume control systems over time.
For organisations reviewing energy consumption, working with qualified specialists can help identify which improvements are technically appropriate and what assessments may be required before implementation.

Supporting the Future of Australian Laboratory Operations

Energy efficiency, equipment reliability and safe working practices are connected considerations for modern laboratories. As organisations review their operating costs and infrastructure, fume cupboard performance remains an important part of laboratory planning.

Suitable equipment selection, effective airflow controls, responsible sash management, regular testing and preventative maintenance can all contribute to informed equipment management. The benefits of individual measures will depend on the facility, the equipment and the activities being undertaken.

Dynaflow provides Australian laboratories with fume control equipment and supporting services that can be considered when planning new installations, assessing existing systems or reviewing upgrade opportunities.

By evaluating energy use alongside containment performance and applicable safety requirements, laboratories can make more informed decisions about their ventilation equipment and long-term operational needs.

The objective is to support efficient laboratory operations while maintaining the protective function that fume cupboards are designed to provide.

About Dynaflow

Dynaflow is an Australian-owned laboratory fume risk control company established in 1981. The company provides fume cupboards, fume scrubbers and specialised ventilation equipment, together with design, manufacture, installation, testing, maintenance, repair, upgrade and training services for laboratory and industrial applications