Discover how Canadian schools can save money and create healthier learning environments- Insights from an air filtration expert

Discover how Canadian schools can save money and create healthier learning environments- Insights from an air filtration expert Joshua Guthrie

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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 that 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 less filters you will need to use over time. The type and quality of media used in a filter design is crucial, as this will affect both longevity and performance.

Use an air filter with 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 of time.
• 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.