Reducing ventilation energy consumption

11 April, 2007

With one of the biggest users of electrical energy in an HVAC system being fans for supplying air, Vince Eade of Jasun Filtration sees an opportunity for reducing their consumption by using more efficient air filters. He tells us that according to research in Germany, fans can account for 18% of the electrical consumption of a building. He explains, ‘Air filters play a critical part in achieving IAQ as well as reducing the amount of airborne contamination, which has a detrimental effect on the fabric of the buildings. Air filters contribute a considerable amount of resistance to the airflow, which the fans have to overcome by using more energy. ‘Developments of new filter media and manufacturing techniques are allowing the filtration industry to make significant reductions in filter pressure drop, while maintaining the efficiencies needed for IAQ and high dust-holding capacities — vital for long service life.’ Vince Eade believes that most facility managers recognise that the efficiency of air filters is the first consideration, with their cost coming a very close second. ‘The emphasis on initial costs should be diverted to the energy savings and, therefore, the cost savings these new filter technologies bring with them. ‘It can be demonstrated that a reduction in initial pressure drop can not only provide significant cost reductions over traditional filters for air-handling units but also significant energy savings — and therefore reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions as well.’

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