Camfil explains how optimized air filtration can be an easy ‘energy win’ for businesses. Among its key – and for many readers, perhaps, surprising – findings are the following:
With high-efficiency air filters in place, a building’s energy costs can be significantly reduced – and indoor air quality improved
In the average commercial building, roughly half of all energy costs can be attributed to the HVAC system. While that makes air-handling units a major cost center for businesses, it also provides a big opportunity for savings, as systems that use energy more efficiently can sharply reduce a company’s outlays. In a new white paper entitled “Quick Wins for Energy Savings in Buildings,” Camfil air filtration products highlight how a new generation of sustainable, efficient air filters can optimize both energy use and indoor air quality.
The white paper, which was published by Camfil’s UK subsidiary but pertains to all markets, is available as a free download at http://www.lowenergyairfilter.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/White-Paper-QUICK-WINS-FOR-ENERGY-SAVINGS-IN-BUILDINGS_FMs_JULY2015_FINAL.pdf.
In the paper, Camfil explains how optimized air filtration can be an easy ‘energy win’ for businesses. Among its key – and for many readers, perhaps, surprising – findings are the following:
- Nearly a third of HVAC energy use is related to air filtration, yet air filters are often overlooked as a source of energy savings. Moreover, since switching to new air filters doesn’t typically require infrastructure changes – such as modifying the air-handling units – these savings can usually be achieved without expensive up-front capital investments.
- While low-cost air filters may seem like a route to savings, they typically wind up costing far more than expected. That’s because these filters tend to clog quickly, causing a higher resistance to airflow and requiring more energy to move the air through the filter. High-efficiency air filters, on the other hand, may cost more initially, but because they maintain their peak efficiency longer and last longer (requiring fewer change-outs), total cost of ownership is generally less with these more advanced products.
- In 90 percent of cases, low-energy air filters can be retrofitted into a company’s existing HVAC system, leading to an energy savings ‘payback’ within just 1 to 3 months. But even if modifications do need to be made, the payback typically can be achieved within the first year of use.
With an industry-leading network of six global research centers, Camfil has led the charge to energy-efficient air filters developing a new generation of filters that last longer, use less energy, and do a better job removing harmful airborne particles than traditionally designed air filters. The result: cost savings even as indoor air quality – and comfort – is improved. In the U.K., Camfil has already delivered savings of over £2 million to sites that have switched to low-energy air filters in their HVAC systems.
Indeed, in the typical building, low-energy filters like those from Camfil can reduce labor and waste by 50 percent, since users need to change and dispose of only half as many filters as they did previously. And those savings come in addition to energy reductions of up to 20 percent – per filter.
As the white paper demonstrates, energy-efficient air filters aren’t just an easy win for businesses, but a win on multiple levels, improving the bottom line, productivity, and the well-being of those who work in and visit the building. Best yet, switching to this new generation of air filters is a remarkably – and surprisingly — simple step to take.
The world leader in air filter systems, Camfil provides clean air solutions for hospitals, hotels, office buildings, educational institutions, and pharmaceutical and biotech companies. We provide the tools to achieve sustainability, maintain high air quality, and reduce airborne infections — all while lowering total cost of ownership. Camfil customers go green without ever sacrificing performance. For more information, visit us online at www.camfil.us or call us toll-free at 888.599.6620.
