Sustainable lab cooling for LEAF-certified laboratories

The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF), developed by University College London (UCL), is a leading sustainability certification for research and teaching laboratories. More than 120 institutions in 15 countries use LEAF to monitor resource use and reduce environmental impact.

Cooling plays a key role in this effort. Laboratory cooling systems run continuously, consume large amounts of water and energy, and often rely on outdated technologies that limit sustainability progress. Modern, energy-efficient systems such as JULABO’s VALEGRO chillers demonstrate how sustainable lab cooling can significantly reduce resource consumption and support LEAF-certified laboratories in reaching their environmental goals.

Why Is Sustainable Lab Cooling Critical for LEAF Performance?

Cooling is one of the largest hidden contributors to laboratory resource consumption.

High water consumption

Laboratories can account for up to 60 percent of total water use at universities. Single-pass tap water cooling is still widely used, despite being highly inefficient. Reducing this practice directly strengthens LEAF reporting.

Dry ice dependency

Dry ice is still required for many cooling workflows. This adds recurring costs, safety considerations and additional carbon footprint, all of which appear in LEAF documentation.

Significant electrical demand

Conventional laboratory chillers mostly rely on fixed-speed compressors and fans. These systems run at full power even under partial load, increasing energy use and operating costs.

Strong demand for measurable improvements

LEAF certification requires clearly reported reductions in water, electricity and CO₂ emissions. Cooling upgrades provide measurable, traceable data that align perfectly with LEAF requirements.

How do VALEGRO coolers improve lab cooling efficiency and LEAF metrics?

No more single-pass tap water cooling

VALEGRO coolers completely replace tap water cooling, significantly reducing water consumption and helping labs document measurable resource savings. At the same time, they eliminate risks linked to fluctuating water availability.

Up to 75 percent lower electricity consumption

From 800 W upwards, VALEGRO operates with speed-controlled compressors and fans that adapt precisely to the current demand. This avoids unnecessary full-load operation and delivers electricity savings of up to 75 percent compared to conventional lab chillers.

Lower reliance on dry ice

In many laboratory workflows, dry ice is still used for temporary cooling, transport or process stabilisation. With VALEGRO, this reliance can be significantly reduced or even eliminated in many applications. This supports LEAF goals related to resource efficiency, safety and cost reduction, while also simplifying daily lab routines.

Climate-friendly natural refrigerant

VALEGRO chillers use natural refrigerants with a very low global warming potential instead of synthetic alternatives. This helps significantly reduce the climate impact of laboratory cooling and supports long-term sustainability goals beyond formal LEAF criteria.

Noticeably quieter operation

In many laboratories, constant background noise is part of everyday work. Cooling systems often run continuously and can affect concentration, communication and overall comfort. With VALEGRO, JULABO uses variable-speed compressors and fans that adapt to the actual cooling demand. This significantly reduces noise emissions in daily operation and improves working conditions in research and teaching labs.