Canadian facilities managers and building owners often seek ways to cut costs amid today’s uncertain economic outlook. Sometimes, cutting costs leads to the procurement of inferior products and supplies, resulting in greater waste and suboptimal air quality. However, in the HVAC space, cutting costs and reducing waste can go hand in hand with the use of superior products. A great way to do so is to take a look at HVAC-related diversion programs that not only create actionable measures to reduce waste and energy consumption, but also extend filter life and reduce HVAC system maintenance. This article will explain how these programs work.
The benefits of switching from multi-stage to single-stage air filtration
A solution that can quickly reduce waste while maintaining optimal air quality is to switch from a multi-stage air filtration system to a single-stage system. The solution significantly cuts waste and boosts energy savings by lowering pressure drop, requiring fewer filter changes (less labour for changes and filter disposal), and reducing fan energy use. For example, this could entail going from a MERV 8 prefilter and a MERV 13 final filter to a single MERV 14A filter, like the Hi-Flo ES. This translates to lower operational costs, a reduced carbon footprint, and extended HVAC component life.
Waste diversion and air filter life extension
Camfil’s Camdivert program helps facilities managers extend filter life, reduce energy use, and lower operational costs through data-driven software.
By optimizing pressure drop, airflow, energy usage, and maintenance and replacement schedules using data from numerous buildings and facilities of different sizes and types across North America, facilities managers and building owners can benefit. Informed decisions can be made based on extensive real-world data on filter performance using energy metrics. This allows companies to get cost savings and waste reduction while getting the best indoor air quality.
Waste reduction generates environmental and financial benefits for companies and organizations, while creating benefits such as conserving energy, reducing disposal costs, and reducing the burden on landfills.
Separating plastic frames in Toronto for recycling
How much waste can be eliminated or diverted?
A branch of a major global data powerhouse located in Toronto recently participated in a program called Camfilcairing to reduce waste and reduce energy consumption. 720 pounds of waste (327 kg) were diverted from landfills through the program.
After selecting the optimal filters, the question arises: what should you do with the dirty filters? To divert or reduce air filter-related waste, Camfil offers the Camdivert program. Filters are disassembled and divided into recyclable and non-recyclable components, and documentation is provided detailing the achievements.
Camfil works with customers to understand their LEED requirements and sustainability goals. It coordinates the pickup of materials to be recycled, and Camfil employees separate the materials, weigh the amount being recycled or diverted, and send them to a recycling facility. Once the results are calculated, Camfil provides the customer with a waste diversion certificate stating the amount of waste diverted.
Energy costs
Energy consumption can account for a significant amount of an HVAC system’s life cycle cost- the total costs of HVAC system operations. By using data that suggests optimal filter systems and the best air filters to achieve these goals. For example, maintaining a lower average pressure drop over the life of an air filter reduces the energy required to move air through the filter. Airflow can be optimized, and HVAC systems can be cleaner and last longer.
Extending filter life and reducing filter replacement frequency have benefits
By measuring pressure drop over time and establishing optimal changeout air filter schedules, it avoids changing filters too often before they are actually necessary. It also minimizes the need for maintenance, reduces disposal costs, and diverts filters from landfills.
Environmental impact of the diversion program
Reducing energy use and waste from filter changes helps facilities achieve sustainability goals while delivering measurable environmental and financial benefits. Through waste diversion programs like Camdivert, facilities can divert significant amounts of material from landfills—as demonstrated by the major data centre, by separating plastic frames, cardboard, and pallets for recycling.
Applications
The Camdivert program transforms air quality management across diverse facility types—from commercial office buildings and data centres to industrial plants, healthcare facilities, and campuses. By combining data-driven filter optimization with comprehensive waste diversion strategies, the program delivers measurable results: reduced energy consumption through lower pressure drop, significant cost savings from extended filter life and optimized changeout schedules, and enhanced sustainability through recycling of plastic frames, cardboard packaging, and pallets.
Facilities benefit from reduced maintenance requirements, lower disposal costs, and extended HVAC equipment lifespan, while simultaneously improving indoor air quality through superior filtration performance. This integrated approach enables building owners and facilities managers to meet LEED certification requirements and corporate sustainability goals without compromising operational efficiency or occupant health.
Camfil’s Commercial Air Filter Solutions
Camfil’s air filters provide long service life, lower average pressure drop, and great sustainability. Facilities using Camfil solutions often report substantial reductions in energy use and maintenance labour hours backed by case studies and performance reports.
Contact Camfil Canada
Camfil’s air filtration experts can help you improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) by addressing regional challenges and operational needs. Whether you seek to control hazardous emissions or improve the IAQ in your workplace, Camfil can help. To find a local rep, use this contact form, and someone will reach out to you. 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.
Media Contact:
Phillip Ilijevski
Camfil Canada Inc.