Many labs work hard to reduce waste while overlooking one of their biggest daily energy drains: the open fume hood. A single hood can use as much energy as multiple homes, and leaving the sash open when it’s not in use quietly drives up costs, emissions, and exposure risk. Shut the Sash competitions turn this overlooked behavior into a visible, measurable win for both safety and sustainability.

Shut the Sash competitions

While it’s common knowledge that fume hood sashes should be closed, not everyone is aware of why. Shut the Sash competitions offer lab managers an opportunity to address the “why” by highlighting the safety and sustainability benefits in an interactive way. Since competitions are lab-specific, PIs and lab managers can share the direct impact of the lab’s actions, from energy savings to reduced hazardous chemical exposures. By implementing these friendly competitions on a regular basis, lab managers and PIs can remind lab staff to shut the sash, incorporating the action into lab culture as a shared responsibility. Shut the Sash competitions have become popular in recent years as more labs become aware of Green Labs initiatives. University Green Labs programs organize Shut the Sash campaigns by collaborating with Environmental Health and Safety to recognize labs that keep their sashes closed when not in use. Recognition includes prizes, certificates, and mentions on blogs or social media.

Lab managers in academia or industry can organize Shut the Sash competitions by coordinating with EHS, other lab managers within the organization, or, if there is more than one fume hood, they may choose to run a competition within their lab.

Cost savings potential of Shut the Sash

Fume hoods are energy-intensive, which means they can be costly. Reducing the energy consumption of hoods through outreach campaigns can save a significant amount in energy costs. In 2023, Quentin Gilly, senior coordinator of Arts and Sciences Green Labs Program at Harvard University, quantified the savings associated with the school’s Shut the Sash program. Based on 187 VAV hoods that were part of the study, Gilly estimates an energy reduction of 70 percent, amounting to annual utility cost savings of approximately $200,000-$250,000 and 300-350 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCDE) in emissions savings.

Interdepartmental collaboration

By collaborating with other departments, labs can achieve greater outreach and participation in initiatives like Shut the Sash. Collaboration enables the shared responsibility of checking whether sashes are closed when not in use, and the shared opportunity to recognize lab staff for sustainable actions.

Lab Quality Management Certificate

The Lab Quality Management certificate is more than training—it’s a professional advantage.

Gain critical skills and IACET-approved CEUs that make a measurable difference.

 By pointing out what lab members are doing well (and giving out prizes), there is an opportunity to build relationships that can influence lab culture. Recognizing lab staff for safe, sustainable fume hood behaviors can start a conversation about other opportunities to improve safety.

Ready to get started?

Shut the Sash competitions can be run easily and at a low cost, especially when working in collaboration with other labs. Here are some things to consider when launching a competition at your organization:

• Competition length: Month-long competitions provide sufficient time to check fume hoods across departments. Depending on the size of your lab, a longer or shorter competition may make more sense.
• Design your competition: Fume hood presence sensors make it easy to observe when sashes are left open unattended. If you do not have sensors, discuss a strategy for observing fume hoods; for example, designate someone to walk around at the end of the workday to count how many sashes are closed.
• Lab recognition: At the end of the competition, the lab or individual who was most consistent with closing the sash should be recognized for their efforts. Depending on time and budget, this can include certificates, stickers, pins, or a luncheon.
• Collect your metrics: This may be the most important consideration, as it demonstrates the effectiveness of the competition. A typical fume hood uses up to 110 kWh/day, so energy and cost savings can be calculated by how long sashes are closed and the overall number of closed versus open sashes. With these metrics, you can share with your lab how much energy was saved while reducing exposure risk in the lab.
• Keep it going: After the competition, lab managers and PIs can ensure their lab’s ongoing commitment to shutting the sash by encouraging positive behaviors. During lab meetings, remind lab staff of the importance of closing the sash and recognizing individuals for a job well done. Consider placing “shut the sash” stickers on fume hoods as a visual reminder. If possible, assemble a Green Labs group with lab staff who may already be passionate about sustainability.

Shut the Sash competitions offer a chance to increase collaboration by highlighting a sustainable, safe behavior. Schedule a meeting with your lab staff, EHS, or other lab managers to design a competition that meets the needs of your lab space and decide how best to recognize participants’ efforts. By approaching Shut the Sash as a collaborative effort, there is a greater chance of turning that behavior into a habit that continues long after the competition ends.