As school boards across Canada face funding pressures and seek to decrease operational costs, they could be overlooking an expense that could achieve significant savings for schools. The type of air filter used could be costing Canadian schools far too much in terms of energy consumption, labour for changeouts and maintenance, and filter replacement costs. This article will show how schools can improve their filtration systems while cutting filter costs and electricity costs.
Why does the type of air filter you use in your school matter?
Pressure drop is a crucial aspect of air filter performance in schools. The lower the average pressure drop, the longer your filter will perform and the fewer filters you will need to use over time. The type and quality of media used in a filter design are crucial, as this will affect both longevity and performance.
Use an air filter with a high dust-holding capacity
Dust-holding capacity is a very important feature for air filters because a filter with the highest dust-holding capacity means:
- Longer filter life and less maintenance: Filters last longer, requiring fewer replacements and less labour.
- Significant energy savings: Filters with a larger dust-holding capacity maintain lower resistance to airflow, reducing the energy needed to power the HVAC system.
- Better HVAC equipment performance and improved indoor air quality: Consistent airflow and effective contaminant removal can be maintained for a longer period.
- Overall cost-effectiveness: Lower total cost of ownership due to reduced energy bills and maintenance, leading to a better return on investment.
It’s important to note that dust holding capacity in real-world applications can be dramatically different from manufacturer test data. It’s best to test filter performance on-site.
Energy savings for schools
In a school setting, the combination of air filters purposefully designed for energy efficiency and Variable Frequency Drives for fans in air filtration systems creates the right synergy for significant energy savings. Even a small reduction in fan speed can lead to significant energy savings following fan current demand formulas.
Sensors in the HVAC system detect the reduced static pressure enabled by low-resistance filters. The VFDs then slow the fan motors to the minimum speed necessary to deliver the desired airflow. As the energy-saving filter loads with dust over its longer service life, its pressure drop increases at a slower rate. This mechanism allows you to run fans at the lowest effective speed and can drastically reduce energy costs for schools.
How schools can get started on cutting air filtration and energy costs related to HVAC systems
Assess your school’s current HVAC system by working with your maintenance team and an air filter expert, this can be a complimentary service provided by air filter suppliers. The specialist can identify areas that can be improved such as using better filters or filters with superior media, changing to a more suitable filter, tips on better HVAC system maintenance, etc. The air filter expert must be able to show you by means of software and testing, an accurate prediction of how much money your school can save on energy costs and filter replacement costs, as well as savings from the reduced strain on your HVAC hardware.
How does using the best air filters cut operational costs in schools?
A filter that clogs quickly or restricts airflow forces your HVAC fan motor to work harder just to push the same volume of air. This increases energy use and is much more demanding on the HVAC system. By switching to an optimized air filter, buildings can save up to 60% or more on energy costs.
Switching to the best air filters available results in fewer air filter changes, which reduces filter costs, labour costs, and energy costs and results in less waste.
In Ontario school boards he has worked with, air filter expert Joshua Gutherie has seen filter change intervals go from 3-4 months to 9 months or even a year, depending on usage patterns. That’s a significant improvement, allowing maintenance staff to concentrate on other tasks.
The Camfil AQ13 can save Canadian schools boards money. This groundbreaking product has already proven its value at three Ontario school boards, including in one board where it helped it save over $500,000 in filter costs alone. That does not include labour, waste, and energy savings.
An action plan for school administrators who are considering an HVAC filtration upgrade to cut costs
Ask your maintenance team to do an air filtration assessment. Take note of what filters and filter media types you are currently using, how often they’re being changed, and how your HVAC systems are performing currently. Then, talk to an air filtration specialist and get a cost-benefit analysis of switching to higher-performance filters by using a Life Cycle Cost analysis (LCC).
What is an LCC evaluation?
LCC software can accurately estimate your cost savings potential and provides many scenarios for school administrators to choose from. For example, it can accurately compare energy costs, labour costs, and replacement costs of one filter with another. It can also show the longevity of your current filter versus another option.
It’s also important to make sure any upgrade aligns with your existing HVAC equipment. Sometimes, an easy retrofit can be done, and often, upgraded filters will fit current systems.
The best air filters for Canadian schools
The Camfil 30/30 Dual 9 air filter is suitable for schools due to a combination of factors that address the unique needs of school environments:
- Improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): With its MERV 9A rating, it can effectively capture a broader range of harmful particles, including pollen, allergens, dust, and even some airborne viruses.
- Extended Service Life and Reduced Maintenance: Guaranteed filter life of up to 12 months. This is significantly longer than standard pleated filters, which often require replacement every 3 months.
- Energy Efficiency: It’s engineered for energy efficiency with a 5-Star Energy Cost Index (ECI) rating. Its unique dual-layer media and pleat design allow for lower pressure drop and higher dust-holding capacity. HVAC systems can operate more efficiently, reducing fan energy consumption and lowering electricity bills.
For every 30/30 Dual 9R HERE filter purchased, schools might otherwise need to purchase three or four lower-cost pleated filters.
The Camfil AQ13 is a great option for schools because it can greatly enhance indoor air quality (IAQ), which is important for the health of students and staff and for improved cognitive function. It features MERV 13 filtration for effectively capturing dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, and mould spores.
Key Benefits for Schools:
- Superior Filtration (MERV 13): It is effective at capturing fine particulate matter, which can carry viruses, bacteria, allergens, dust, pollen, and even some mould spores.
- Extended Service Life: Due to low HVAC operating hours, the AQ13 has lasted up to a year in typical school environments. That translates to reduced labour costs for maintenance staff and fewer filter purchases.
- Energy Efficiency: The AQ13 maintains a low pressure drop compared to competitive pleated MERV 13 filters resulting in lower energy consumption. This is a significant benefit for budget-conscious schools.
The Camfil Durafil line of filters is ideal for schools because it delivers exceptional air quality, added energy efficiency, and a very long service life, ultimately resulting in a low total cost of ownership.
Key Benefits for Schools:
- Superior Indoor Air Quality: available in high MERV ratings (up to 16A) capturing a wide range of harmful airbourne particles such as PM2.5, viruses, bacteria, and allergens.
- Exceptional Energy Efficiency: The V-bank design and exceptional media allow air to flow through with minimal resistance. This leads to greatly reduced fan-related energy consumption—energy costs are the largest part of a filter’s lifecycle cost.
- Extended Service Life: Durafil filters are built to last, offering an extremely long lifespan, often exceeding a year or even more.
More information on products mentioned:
Contact Camfil Canada for more information or to get expert advice on choosing the right air filtration system for your facility. Start by asking for a complimentary site survey for your school. 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 improve worker and equipment productivity, minimize energy use, and benefit human health and the environment. Read more about Camfil Canada
Sources:
Media Contact:
Phillip Ilijevski 437-929-1161
Camfil Canada Inc.