ENERGY SAVING Only fi lters that are manufactured using fi ne
fi bres can reliably perform at this level as the interstitial holes between the fi bres are smaller and will trap smaller particles. It is this balance of fi ne fi bres and engineered construction that allows a low energy fi lter to deliver optimised energy performance and good indoor air quality. Why is this important? Because maintaining a healthy indoor environment is good for your staff and for the building inhabitants. Clean air results in less sick days, increased productivity and well-being. Air fi lters, which are typically fi tted in various plant rooms within the air handling unit, signifi cantly contribute to the resistance of the fan motor. The problem is that low cost fi lters tend to clog quickly, causing a higher resistance to the airfl ow which results in an energy cost penalty. Air fi lters are designed to be changed unlike other components within the ventilation system, and consequently do not put any pressure on capital budgets when upgrading to a low energy fi lter. But the best air fi lters, however, capture particles and maintain the proper airfl ow two to three times longer than low cost fi lters and require less frequent fi lter changes. Fewer fi lters results in lower costs overall, less labour and reduced waste as well as the biggest savings is energy costs. The reason is that selecting fi lters designed for lower average lifetime resistance, the HVAC unit doesn’t work as hard to pull air through the system. High performance, low energy air fi lters
off er the least energy cost throughout their installed lifetime. They also protect against potentially health damaging pollution by providing independently guaranteed certifi ed performance. In the vast majority of cases, low energy
air fi lters can be retrofi tted in the existing framework which means that typical payback is just one to three months. In short, choosing the right air fi lters can be a big part of a company’s energy saving strategy.
BOX 1: high energy performance explained Saving energy is currently one of the most challenging tasks facing the built environment. However, the best low energy air fi lter products combine high indoor air quality with low pressure drop to deliver big energy savings to customers without compromising air quality. Camfi l fi lters, for example, deliver clean, high-quality air using the minimum amount
www.acr-news.com January 2020 47
of energy. Estimates of savings can be as high as £300 per fi lter 10p per KW/hour to optimise each ePM1 60% class fi lter. They off er high effi ciency grade fi ltration to address indoor air quality problems. Low energy air fi lters, such as Camfi l’s HiFloM7ePM1 60% bag fi lter are designed to optimise all the surface area, thereby creating a lower pressure drop across the fi lter. This has a direct impact on the fan motor in terms of energy consumption. Over the life of the fi lter the pressure drop
increases due to the loading of particulate on the fi lter and consumes more energy. As the average pressure-drop of the low energy air fi lter described above is much lower than any other product on the market it consumes much less energy.
Estimates of possible savings can be as high as £300 per fi lter 10p per KW/hour to optimise each ePM1 60% class fi lter tested to BS EN ISO 16890:2016. In a typical building, for example a hotel,
containing 20 air handling units installed with 10 fi lters in each, energy savings can amount to £14,000 per year, every year, simply by upgrading to low energy air fi lters. Other savings include
50% labour time (you only change half as many fi lters).
50% waste costs (you only dispose of half as many fi lters).
Nearly one tonne of CO2 for each upgrade.
BOX 2: Four signs of the best suppliers As a contractor, you will want the best for your customers. But does your air fi lter supplier have what it takes to provide the right products? Is the supplier certifi ed by Eurovent? Are air fi lter performance tests based on BS EN ISO 16890:2016?
Are there labels on all boxes? Is there a test protocol for validation? Too many suppliers do not test their fi lters properly, making it impossible for customers to compare diff erent brands.
My own company’s specially designed ‘Life Cycle Cost’ programme will create an accurate simulation of the energy consumed in a typical AHU system. From this we can produce a comprehensive report to realise real cost savings with fast pay
backs.Change frequencies of fi lters are reduced ensuring that annual fi lter costs do not exceed budgets. Other savings include labour, waste and CO2
reduction.
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