ENERGY-EFFICIENT FUME HOOD

An energy-efficient fume hood is provided having: (i) a housing with an access aperture to permit access to the interior of the fume hood; and (ii) a vertically movable frame attached to the housing about the access aperture. The vertical frame has two or more horizontally movable panels mounted therein. The horizontally movable panels may be used to close off substantially all or a portion of the access aperture, thereby reducing the volume of air required to be drawn through the access aperture in order to maintain desired face velocity, while permitting access to the interior of the fume hood. An exhaust system is used to draw fumes away from the interior of the fume hood. An air bypass is provided to permit airflow into the fume hood when the access aperture is closed.