Whether you should get a ducted fume hood or a ductless fume hood depends on your specific needs and requirements.
Ducted fume hoods are connected to an exhaust system that removes hazardous vapors and gases from the laboratory or workplace. They are generally considered more effective at removing harmful chemicals, as they exhaust the pollutants directly to the outside environment. However, installation and maintenance costs can be higher for ducted fume hoods, and they may require more space and specialized expertise to operate.
Ductless fume hoods, on the other hand, use filters to clean the air and recirculate it back into the room. They are generally more affordable and easier to install than ducted hoods, and they are a good option for laboratories or workplaces that cannot accommodate ductwork. However, they may not be suitable for all types of chemicals or experiments, as the filters may not effectively capture all hazardous substances. Additionally, the filters may need to be replaced regularly, which can add to operating costs.
In summary, if your lab or workplace requires the use of hazardous chemicals, a ducted fume hood may be the best option to ensure the safety of workers and comply with regulatory requirements. However, if you have limited space, a ductless fume hood may be a more practical and cost-effective solution.
Ultimately, the choice between ducted and ductless fume hoods will depend on the specific needs and circumstances of your workplace.
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 us, via email at info@orme.com.mt or call us on 2397 6000.
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 via email at info@orme.com.mt or call us on 2397 6000.