Should I get a ducted fume hood or a ductless fume hood?
Should I get a ducted fume hood or a ductless fume hood?
This is often a question we get asked by lab managers or those setting up a new lab. There are many considerations when choosing between a ducted fume hood or a ductless fume hood. In the following article we will explain the difference between the two and some of the top reasons why you may want to choose one option over the other.
What is a ducted fume hood verses a ductless fume hood?
A ducted fume hood is simply a fume hood that is connected to ducting within a building and often connected to a fan or blower that is mounted on the roof of the building. The goal is for the fan to draw chemical fumes from the working area in the fume hood to the outside where it is ultimately diluted and no longer becomes harmful.
A ductless fume hood on the other hand is a fume hood that uses a filter or series of filters. A fan is usually built into the fume hood and draws the chemical fumes in the working area of the fume hood through the filter(s) and is recirculated as clean air back into the same room the fume hood is located in.
What are the benefits and downsides of both a ducted fume hood and ductless fume hood?
Ducted Fume Hood
Benefits
1. Safe to use with most types of chemicals especially in commercial or industrial lab applications.
2. Have lots of options for services including gas, water, air, nitrogen, vacuum and more
3. More options with sizes and configurations
Downsides
1. Usually more costly to implement. Especially when there is not an existing purpose built HVAC system to accommodate the fume hood(s). In some cases they may be nearly impossible to implement in some buildings especially with multiple floors.
Ductless Fume Hood
Benefits
1. Portable. In most cases these hoods are portable and can be moved from one room to the other as needed. Some options come with rolling trolleys.
2. More cost effective. This applies to use in education where light chemical usage is required. In some cases where more advanced filters are required this can be no longer a benefit.
Downsides
1. Only can be used with light chemical usage. If you are uncertain based on your chemical usage feel free to reach out to the Westlab team at sales@westlab.com.
2. Requires filter changes approximately once per year. This is an additional cost and something to keep track of.
3. Limited options compared to ducted fume hoods.
This is only some considerations when weighing over whether to get a ducted or ductless fume hood. If you are considering either option and would like to discuss with a technical expert feel free to reach out to our team at sales@westlab.com or 1.877.822.1455