Eco-Friendly Autoclave Solutions

The most reliable, easy-to-use, and sustainable steam autoclaves in the world.

Consolidated Sterilizer Systems designs and manufactures innovative steam autoclaves that save both water and energy. Each of our autoclaves comes standard with sustainability features such as the WaterEco system, Auto Idle Shut-off, and EcoCalendar. These features present major benefits to both lab and medical facilities, reducing their carbon footprint as well as operating costs.

The ACT Environmental Impact Label

Designed to verify the sustainability of laboratory equipment for both scientists and procurement specialists, the ACT Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) Label helps increase transparency surrounding manufacturers’ overall environmental impact. We’re proud to say that the EIF label is currently available for six of our most popular steam sterilizers.

Read more about our ACT label >

Downloadable Resources
Sustainability Brochure
Learn more about the water and energy conservation options for our autoclaves.
Download Now
Why Labs Should Go Green
The real reasons for labs to invest in water conservation technologies.
Read Now
Consolidated Challenges Industry with New Energy & Water Benchmarks
Arthur Trapotsis challenges the industry to create more “eco-friendly” equipment.
Read Now
ACT Environmental Impact Label
Get more information about our label, EIF criteria, and Consolidated’s commitment to sustainability.
Read Now
Energy Conservation
Eco

EcoCalendar

All new sterilizers are equipped with a calendar-based automatic start-up and shut-down feature known as EcoCalendar. This feature helps minimize utility consumption and HVAC load through a software controlled, automatic steam shut-off program. Utilities can be programmed for automatic start-up and shut-down based on time of day and day of the week.

Eco

EcoJacket

EcoJacket is included on all new sterilizers and automatically lowers the temperature of the sterilizer jacket in between cycles, thereby reducing steam and water usage and heat-load to the room.

Eco

Auto Idle Shut-Off

Like the EcoCalendar, this feature is equipped on all new sterilizers and helps save energy by shutting the steam supply off when not in use. It functions similarly to a “sleep-mode” for your home computer. Simply set the desired idle time and the autoclave will enter Sleep Mode after the set idle time has elapsed. This is an easy way to save energy (both steam and conditioned air) and water and is ideal for sterilizers that are periodically used.

Eco

Hood Control

This feature integrates the sterilizer with a local canopy hood to reduce unnecessary venting of conditioned air. Form C Dry Contacts signal your building automation system to power-down the hood when the door of the autoclave is closed. This allows labs to better control the heat-load and environmental conditions within the lab.

EcoCalendar
EcoJacket
Auto Idle Shut-Off
Hood Control

Water Conservation

Most modern autoclaves utilize a large amount of water to comply with local building code and reduce the temperature of the effluent discharge to the drain. Sometimes this water quenching uses as much as 1,600 gallons per day!

The Consolidated WaterEco Series drastically reduces water consumption; eliminating up to 99% of water consumed by other autoclaves on the market.

Consolidated’s WaterEco® Series

WaterEco®
This system is included on all Consolidated sterilizers. In addition to saving water, it monitors water consumption and cools effluent using a combination of air, previously cooled effluent and a minimal amount of cold water.

WaterEco® Plus
This system reduces water consumption through a stainless steel heat exchanger that utilizes facility chilled water supply – virtually eliminating once-through cooling water.

WaterEco® Vac Plus
This system integrates with pre-vacuum autoclaves when chilled water is readily available. The full recovery system uses chilled water to cool the vacuum water and exhaust and is the best solution to minimize water.

Water Consumption Impact and Savings

WaterEco® Benefits

Easily Monitor Water Consumption!

X1 User-Interface Display – “Water Usage” Screen

Consolidated’s Contribution Toward LEED Credits

Consolidated sterilizers generate LEED points through four major areas: Water Efficiency, Materials and Resources, Energy and Atmosphere, and Innovation in Design. Here is how Consolidated can help achieve these points.

Water Efficiency Category

Credit Description Points Explaination
Credit 2: Innovative Wastewater Technologies 2 Consolidated sterilizers can be equipped with WaterEco® water conservation systems that will reduce potable water consumption by over 50%.
Credit 3: Water Use Reduction 30%, 40%, 50%  2-4 Consolidated sterilizers can be equipped with premium WaterEco® water conservation systems that can reduce potable water consumption by up to 99%.

Material and Resources Category

Credit Description Points Explaination
Credit 1.2: Building Reuse – Maintain Interior Nonstructural Elements 1 Consolidated sterilizers can be customized to fit existing wall cutouts, utility connections,and room layouts. In addition, existing sterilizers can be retrofitted with WaterEco® water conservation systems to reduce water consumption.
Credit 2: Construction Waste Management 1-2 Consolidated sterilizers can be shipped with minimal crating material and any crating material that is used can be recycled.
Credit 3: Materials Reuse 5%, 10% 1-2 Refurbished sterilizers can be supplied for the project.
Credit 4: Recycled Content 10%, 20% 1-2 Consolidated sterilizers contribute 80-90% post-consumer recycled content and 10-20% pre-consumer recycled content. Scrap metal is both utilized on the sterilizer and sent back to the refinery.
Credit 5: Regional Materials 10%, 20% 1-2 Consolidated sterilizers are manufactured in New England. Points could be applied to building projects in the New England area. Additionally, sterilizers can be manufactured from stainless steel and carbon steel sources within North America.

Energy and Atmosphere Category

Credit Description Points Explaination
Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance 1-19 Consolidated sterilizers can be supplied with an EcoCalendar feature that shuts off steam supply when the sterilizer is idle. In addition, this on/off indicator can signal a lower flow-rate requirement to the HVAC system or canopy hood. Sterilizers can be supplied with a superior insulation (higher R Value) to reduce heat loss to the room, thereby requiring a lower HVAC flow-rate in the room.

Innovation in Design Category

Credit Description Points Explaination
Credit 1: Innovation in Design 5 Consolidated sterilizers can be supplied with innovative options such as the WaterEco® system and EcoCalendar feature for water and energy savings.

 

Every manufacturer should publish energy and water usage statistics for their equipment. In the absence of a regulatory body to standardize and rate energy/water usage and general “eco-friendliness” of lab equipment, leading manufacturers such as Consolidated proactively pursue these goals on behalf of architects, lab planners and end users.

Learn more about Consolidated’s commitment to LEED →

Learn how Consolidated sterilizer systems save water →

For more information on Consolidated Sterilizer Systems and their contribution to a greener facility, or to arrange a Lunch and Learn at your facility, contact us.

USGBC Member SealConsolidated Sterilizer Systems is a proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council®. The U.S. Green Building Council® is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 140,000 LEED® Professionals™, USGBC® is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009 – 2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students. USGBC is the developer of the LEED green building certification program and the conveyor of the Greenbuild® International Conference & Expo.

What is LEED?

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an initiative started by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) in an effort to provide a baseline measurement and rating system for “green” buildings. LEED is applicable to new construction and renovation projects and promotes a holistic view to designing sustainable buildings that incorporate the latest technological capabilities. The LEED Green Building Rating System relies on metrics of sustainability, energy efficiency, material/resource use, water efficiency, indoor atmosphere and design innovation.

The rating process covers many areas of the design and construction process including energy and water conservation, land usage, recycling, minimizing raw materials, onsite energy generation, and the usage of windows just to name a few. When a building is being designed, the more standards the engineers and architects are able to meet, the higher the building’s LEED rating can be. LEED has four rating tiers: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Achieving even the lowest rating of ‘Certified’ is respected within the industry.

For more information about LEED, visit usgbc.org.

LEED and Laboratory Equipment

The USGBC does not provide ratings for equipment or processes used in a building project, however laboratory equipment can contribute to a building’s LEED rating through a number of areas (listed above). Laboratory equipment that is designed to be environmentally friendly can increase LEED points in these categories. Consolidated has identified nine (9) potential LEED credits (over 4 categories) that could benefit from using a Consolidated steam sterilizer.