Canadian retail facilities, including malls, stores, and big-box stores, often face challenging conditions. These include airborne contaminants from road salt in winter in snowy cities, particulates from wildfires in warmer seasons, nuisance odours from garbage chutes, and air pollution in urban and suburban areas. These contaminants enter buildings and can cause issues for staff and customers. Retailers must prioritize the health and well-being of their staff, ensure staff productivity, and maintain the health and comfort of their customers. Another major concern in the area of HVAC is the high cost of electricity used by HVAC systems. In this article, we will share our expertise on how to create retail settings that are healthier and more comfortable for customers and staff, as well as how property managers can reduce HVAC energy costs.
Air quality threats from particulate matter and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) or nuisance odours coming from commercial kitchens in malls or garbage chutes situated near mall corridors can directly impact customer satisfaction, employee health, and operational efficiency. Airbourne virus transmission can impact health and perceptions of healthiness in retail establishments, particularly during the colder months when outside air intake is limited in Canada, as stores and malls must keep their facilities warm. During colder months, foot traffic often increases and there is more crowding in stores or malls, which adds to the burden for facility managers as less outdoor air is brought in from the HVAC system and there is less air dilution.
The Canadian Retail Air Quality Challenge
Seasonal and regional air quality challenges can be overwhelming for retail facility managers. For example, there are humidity issues for cities in British Columbia and cities, such as Hamilton, Ontario, because of their proximity to large bodies of water. Humidity can have a detrimental effect on food and beverage products. Yeast and mould spores can proliferate in areas with poor air quality and inadequate ventilation. Airflow must be strong in order to limit negative effects. Mould and mildew growth can damage clothing and other products in retail spaces. Contaminants can also cause corrosion in locations with poor IAQ.
During winter, Calgary, Edmonton, and Montreal have to deal with some airbourne residue from road salt that becomes PM2.5, with the effect most pronounced in Ontario cities, which use much greater amounts of salt. Studies have revealed that winter urban areas with sufficient snowfall have increased PM2.5 concentrations.
In warmer seasons, dust and pollen can settle on food items on store shelves, compromising their quality. Also, dust and allergens can accumulate in retail spaces, negatively affecting the health of reatil staff and making shopping experiences uncomfortable for shoppers. Year-round, air pollution, PM1 and PM2.5 can enter malls and stores.
Contamination in Retail Stores and Its Health Effects
PM2.5 can include allergens such as pollen and dust mites, which can contaminate products, resulting in negative health effects for customers and employees. Particulates can also damage mechanical and electronic components. Indoor PM1 and PM2.5 concentrations can be elevated during the winter months as retail operations minimize outdoor air intake to avoid bringing in cold air, thereby reducing energy costs associated with heating.
High concentrations of people in confined areas, such as food courts in malls or inside packed stores, inevitably increase the risk of spread of airborne viruses in those spaces. Also, heating systems can release harmful particulate matter and gaseous pollutants into the air.
Cold air is denser, making it more difficult to disperse contaminants. Colder weather also increases exposure to harmful, very fine PM1 particles generated by combustion. Candles, cleaning agents, furniture, and paint emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and may also lead to more serious health problems. Exposure to PM1, PM2.5, and VOCs must be limited.
Common Pollutants Found in Retail Stores and Grocery Chains
Dust and particulate matter can accumulate when HVAC systems are in greater use. Air conditioning can contribute to poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in retail spaces by recirculating contaminants indoors. AC units can form condensation, which can lead to the growth of mould and bacteria.
Another concern for malls and plazas is cooking odours. Emissions from cooking activities (aerosols, VOCs, PM2.5, and CO) in food courts of Canadian shopping centers and grocery stores can be hazardous to individuals who spend extended periods in these places.
Dealing with bacteria and viruses, especially during the Canadian cold and flu seasons, can be a significant challenge for retail operations, particularly concerning staff. Suppose bacterial and viral transmission is not controlled through air filtration and ventilation. In that case, it can cause sickness and labour shortages during peak seasons, such as spring sales events, Black Friday, Christmas, and Boxing Day.
HVAC Energy Use in Canadian Retail Operations
Temperature fluctuations in Canada pose a significant challenge to the energy efficiency of HVAC systems. Temperature extremes force HVAC systems to work harder, hiking energy costs and increasing equipment wear. Inadequate air filtration exacerbates this issue by restricting airflow, causing contaminant buildup on components, necessitating more frequent maintenance, reducing overall efficiency, increasing energy costs, and leading to shorter equipment lifespans.
Benefits to Business of Improved Air Filtration in Canadian Retail Operations
Enhanced Customer Experience in Canadian Retail
Excellent air quality can lead to enhanced comfort for shoppers during extended shopping trips. It can also enhance the psychological sense of well-being in an increasingly health-conscious Canadian market. This can be achieved by promoting the filtration level to customers and staff, such as by posting signs stating, “We use MERV 13A air filters to make your shopping experience healthier and more comfortable.”
Reducing odours from food courts and dining areas in shopping centres can improve shopping experiences for customers, creating a more appealing environment and giving a retail operation a competitive edge.
Enhanced Employee Well-being in Canadian Retail Operations
Enhanced air filtration in retail environments elevates employee satisfaction and retention by fostering a healthier and more productive work environment. Improved air quality and lower levels of harmful contaminants lower the risk of respiratory illness spread. They can reduce the number of allergic reactions that might have otherwise led employees to take sick leave. With better IAQ, employees are not only sick less often, they are also more focused, less stressed and more able to concentrate, which leads to enhanced performance and greater employee satisfaction.
Enhanced Health and Well-being
Research conducted by Harvard University has demonstrated that enhanced indoor air quality (IAQ) leads to improved cognitive functioning among staff. Insufficient IAQ can lead to symptoms such as headaches and fatigue, which will reduce performance. A World Bank study in Bangladesh showed that air filters contributed to a 27% increase in productivity.
Operational Efficiency for Canadian Retailers
Energy Savings During Extreme Heating and Cooling Seasons
With filters engineered for maximum energy savings, retail operations can reduce operating costs, especially during hotter and colder seasons when energy demands are at their highest.
Extended equipment life
A significant benefit of an air filter with maintained efficiency capabilities is the extended life of HVAC equipment, resulting in a cleaner system, including blower fans, ducts, and other components.
Another advantage of a cleaner, more efficient HVAC system is improved temperature control and better overall system performance. Airflow plays a major role in system performance and temperature comfort.
Canadian Retail Air Filtration Solutions
Prefilters for Canadian Retail Applications
Prefilters are useful in the context of Canadian retail operations for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. Prefilters trap larger particles, such as pollen, dust, and mould spores, before they reach more expensive final filters, protecting them and prolonging their life cycle. Prefilters help promote air quality for retail operations and customers. Many facility managers have reported that prefilters collect a significant amount of debris from outdoor air.
Recommended specifications for Canadian climate conditions
Camfil recommends high-efficiency filters with the lowest average pressure drop, featuring a longer service life. Look for a high ECI Star Rating to reduce energy consumption and operational costs.
Bag Filters (Hi-Flo®ES) for Large Canadian Retail Spaces
Features:
● Energy efficiency benefits during extended HVAC operation periods (Canadian heating and cooling seasons)
● Extended filter life despite challenging Canadian environmental conditions
● Capacity for handling variable airflow requirements in retail spaces
● Ideal for retail building managers focusing on operational cost control
Bag Filters (Hi-Flo®ES) are a cost-effective choice for air filtration in larger retail spaces across Canada, particularly for property managers seeking to enhance air quality. Bag Filters capture dust, dirt and other contaminants. They capture fine particles (finer as you progress to the highest MERV A rating), leading to fewer allergens and irritants in the air and an overall more comfortable environment. The Hi-Flo®ES is fully tested in Canadian shopping malls, big-box retailers, and various warehouse retailers. It is highly effective with proven significant energy savings and lower operational costs. It also helps achieve lower carbon emissions.
The material used for its media is a longer-lasting material versus conventional filters, meaning property managers will replace filters less often and therefore save money while maintaining high efficiency.
Compact Filters for Space-Constrained Canadian Retailers
Compact filters are a suitable solution for building management in Canada, which is space-constrained, particularly in urban centres, and they are also a good solution for older buildings.
Solutions for Space-Challenged Storefronts: These filters (e.g. Durafil® ES3) not only occupy less space but also maximize filter media area for improved performance.
Uses in Older Buildings (Mould & Protection): Older buildings often trap humidity, allowing mould to develop easily. High efficiency Camfil filters (MERV 13+) capture airborne particulates, preventing mould from propagating, and keeping mould away from building elements. The reduced irritants, toxins, and other antecedents not only protect the building but can also improve occupant health.
Cost-Effective Options for Smaller Retailers: Camfil uses durable, high-performance filter media. This design lasts longer, enhances the efficiency of the filters (e.g., MERV 13A or 14A), improves dust-holding capacity, and creates a slow, gradual pressure drop increase over the filter’s life cycle. Higher-quality filters can appear more expensive, but they actually provide better value over time compared to cheap alternatives.
Opti-Pac®: Features a wet-laid microfine glass media in a Close-Pleat™ design. This provides optimal airflow with low resistance and extended service life.
Aeropac®: is a high-efficiency, box-style air filter that utilizes a wet-laid, microfine glass fibre media. It is available in various MERV ratings and features exceptional performance in humid conditions.
Retrofits can be easy: these compact filters are easy to retrofit into existing systems, allowing retailers to either upgrade an existing HVAC system or install a new one to accept a higher-efficiency filter without any additional retrofit, with better IAQ results and lower energy costs because coils will stay clean.
Molecular Filters (CamCarb, City-Flo®): Camfil’s molecular filters (CamCarb, City-Flo® and other models) work not only to remove gases, odours and VOCs but also, in some models, remove particulates; therefore, providing essential air quality solutions and products to retailers in Canada.
Key Applications in Retail Spaces:
Food courts or stores adjacent to food courts: Removes all types of cooking odours, prevents the migration of cooking odours, while helping to extend the amount of time that customers stay at restaurants, food courts, or dining areas.
Recommended for waste management areas in Canadian retail facilities, molecular filters can reduce strong odours from waste and refuse, including garbage chutes, to improve the work experience for staff and have a less negative impact on the retail experience.
Portable Air Cleaners (CamCleaner® Series) for Canadian Retail
Camfil portable air cleaners (CamCleaner® Series) offer Canadian retailers a versatile and quick solution for addressing specific air quality concerns where existing HVAC systems or central filtration are not as effective. They offer targeted air cleaning for problem areas with limited existing ventilation.
They are great for addressing localized air quality issues. For more persistent odours — such as garbage chutes, compactors, or public washrooms — capturing and filtering the unwanted particles or odours before they infiltrate malls or stores.
Retail HVAC Maintenance Best Practices
To prepare for the cold weather seasons, it is essential to maintain and upgrade to a higher-efficiency filter (MERV 13 or higher) to better capture indoor air pollutants. Summer preparation involves cooling improvements, and spring and fall getting ready for allergy season. Staff should be aware of regional environmental challenges as needs vary by Canadian region.
Proper installation is equally important as it allows the systems to perform optimally. This includes preventing air bypass around filters and ensuring that all hardware is sealed to prevent leaks.
Air Quality Monitoring in Retail Environments
Real-time monitoring enables facilities managers to quickly respond to air quality issues and make immediate adjustments within their buildings, which is particularly crucial during high-traffic times like the holiday shopping season, when the comfort and safety of shoppers and staff are vital.
Integration with building management systems
Stores or malls can integrate their air quality monitors with a Building Management System (BAS) to remotely monitor air quality and adjust settings when needed. BAS enables the remote control of HVAC systems, allowing for optimal efficiency and energy savings.
You can establish alert thresholds for pollutants such as CO2 and help maintain air quality levels without manual intervention.
Data collection for long-term optimization of Canadian retail operations
By capturing historical air quality data, you can leverage this data for long-term planning and to gain a better understanding of how to improve the IAQ and energy efficiency in retail outlets long term.
Proper filter handling
Training is necessary to ensure that all staff members who interact with air filters understand and follow the correct procedures and ensure that filters are properly installed and function as intended.
Professional Air Quality Audits for Canadian Retailers- Benefits of Expert Assessment for Retail Operations
Retail operations and shopping centres can greatly benefit from a professional air quality audit, which can help identify hidden pollutant sources, discover cost-cutting measures, and prevent unexpected costs down the road. Audits can reduce operational costs by providing solutions for energy use reductions and improving the efficiency of HVAC equipment systems. Ultimately, audits can contribute to a healthier environment for staff and shoppers, improving overall well-being and productivity.
Canadian Case Studies and Applications
Case Study 1: Major Canadian Shopping Mall
30/30 Dual 9 Air Filter Retail Mall Saves Energy and Labour Calgary, Alberta
The case study focused on a mall in Western Canada (Calgary) that installed 30/30 Dual 9 filters. The results showed significant benefits, including:
- Reduced filter changeouts: From four times a year to just once, cutting labour hours.
- Energy savings: A 33% reduction in HVAC energy usage due to lower average pressure drop and consistent airflow.
- Waste reduction: Thousands fewer dirty filters sent to landfills annually.
- Cleaner coils: The higher efficiency filters kept heating and cooling coils cleaner, reducing the need for maintenance.
Case Study 2: Grocery Chain Implementation
30/30 Dual 9 Air Filter Improves Grocery Store Air Quality & Reduces HVAC Costs
Situation: A regional manager for a grocery chain with extended deli services and other prepared foods found that their existing inexpensive, economy-grade filters were leading to frequent filter changeouts, dirty coils, visible dirt streaks, and potential food safety risks
Solution & Results: They installed 30/30 Dual 9 pleated air filters in 50 test stores and compared their performance against the previous filters.
- The Camfil filters demonstrated a significantly longer service life (12 months vs. 3 months)
- They showed a stable, slow increase in pressure drop, indicating consistent airflow without starving the units
- The coils downstream of the Camfil filters remained much cleaner, preventing energy loss and reducing the need for coil cleaning
- Overall, the grocery chain reduced its filter-related operational costs by 40% due to fewer filter changes, less labour, and reduced energy consumption
- Crucially, the improved filtration also enhanced food safety by preventing dirty air bypass
Implementation Guide for Canadian Building Management
For Canadian retailers and building management teams, the assessment phase is the most crucial step in enhancing air quality. It identifies the challenges faced regionally and the priorities that will inform goals for retail operational needs, including energy efficiency, customer comfort, and risk mitigation for dealing with issues such as mould. It identifies cost-saving opportunities that are often unknown because air filter experts can provide valuable experiences and previous successes with similar operations.
Building Management in Retail Operations: Getting Buy-In for Air Quality Implementation
To get buy-in from building management for air quality improvements, Canadian building managers need a clear implementation strategy. Start by matching solutions to specific Canadian retail needs and regional challenges, or store-specific demands. Address budget considerations by highlighting long-term savings through energy efficiency, reduced maintenance, and better sales through a better customer experience.
To ensure ongoing air quality in Canadian retail operations, continuous monitoring is a critical component. It consists of maintenance schedules that will be adjusted to account for seasonal standards and performance monitoring. Ensure that you develop a plan to receive your filter replacements in a timely manner once a schedule has been established.
Conclusion
Instead of viewing better air filtration as a cost burden, retail building management should consider air filtration investment as a more effective business approach. There is an opportunity for additional profitability through lower fixed costs in operations, such as energy costs, labour savings, and improved employee productivity and wellness. It also creates more inviting spaces, where customers will stay longer and return more often.
Decision makers can reference a comparison chart (which includes Canadian utility rates for all regions) in Camfil’s Life Cycle Cost (LCC) software and consider the before-and-after results of implementing new filters, improvements, and cost savings. It’s easy to determine how advantageous the filter upgrades are compared to your current configuration. Effective air quality and air filter management in the retail sector are essential for healthier, more profitable, and more sustainable Canadian retail practices.
Where can I buy Camfil air filters in Canada?
Camfil air filters are available directly or through authorized distributors across Canada.
Contact Camfil Canada for more information or to receive expert advice on selecting the ideal air filtration system for your specific needs. Start by asking for a complimentary site survey for your commercial building, public building, or other facility. Use this contact form
About Camfil Canada Clean Air Solutions
For more than 60 years, Camfil has been helping people breathe cleaner air. As a leading manufacturer of premium clean air solutions, we provide commercial and industrial systems for air filtration and air pollution control that enhance worker and equipment productivity, reduce energy consumption, and benefit both human health and the environment.
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Sources:
canada.ca/en/health-canada.html
World Bank blogs.worldbank.org/en/developmenttalk/improving-air-quality-workplace-evidence-south-asia
Media Contact:
Phillip Ilijevski
Camfil Canada Inc.
T: 437-929-1161