Freezer Rebate Program
The Green Labs Freezer Rebate Program has $20,000 worth of funding available on a first-come, first-serve basis for labs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) that are looking to replace an old, inefficient ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezer with a new, more efficient model. This program is being established to reduce the number of old and underutilized freezers on campus and incentivize the purchase of more energy-efficient freezers in support of UMB’s energy and sustainability goals. Applications will open Jan. 3, 2023, and will remain open until funding is depleted.
The following conditions must be met to participate in the program:
- The lab must use an energy meter (available to borrow through the Office of Sustainability) at least one week prior to replacement to get data on how much energy the old freezer is using, and use the energy meter for at least one week after replacement to get data on how much energy the new freezer is using, reporting back the numbers to the Office of Sustainability.
- The freezer being replaced must be located on UMB’s main campus in downtown Baltimore.
- Freezers at the BioPark, Maryland Psyciatric Research Center, the Amish Research Clinic, and other off-site locations are not eligible to participate.
- The purchased freezer must be replacing an old freezer that is currently in use.
- The lab must have a SOAPF that is not associated with sponsored funding for purposes of journal entry for the rebate.
The rebate thresholds are as follows:
- No available rebates for the purchase of freezers with efficiency levels of 501 Wh/day/cu-ft or greater
- $1,000 available for freezers with efficiency levels of 351-500 Wh/day/cu-ft freezers
- $2,000 available for freezers with efficiency levels of 350 Wh/day/cu-ft or less
If you are interested in participating, please email sustainability@umaryland.edu to confirm eligibility and obtain an energy meter to start monitoring the usage of your existing ULT freezer. For more information, visit the Green Labs webpage.
2023 International Freezer Challenge
In additional to participating in our freezer rebate program, the Office of Sustainability also encourages labs to join the 2023 International Laboratory Freezer Challenge. Over six months, implement tried-and-true best practices for your refrigerators and freezers, benefiting both your science and the planet. Learn more and sign up at www.freezerchallenge.org. Signups are accepted on a rolling basis. The challenge officially starts Jan. 1, 2023, and the deadline to complete the challenge is July 1, 2023.
LabShare
The UMB Office of Sustainability has recently launched a LabShare program. If you have extra lab supplies or equipment that you would like to share with other labs on campus or you are in need of a particular item for your lab, consider participating in our new UMB LabShare program! Labs can post about what they are giving away, and other labs can claim it and pick it up. Through this program, our campus will continue working toward waste reduction and material reuse.