Air-intake screens give quick savings for AHUs
Fitting ECEX air-intake screens to two air-handling units at Westminster City Hall in London has solved operational problems and reduced energy consumption by preventing debris accumulating on coils and in air filters. The performance of the air-handling units with the screens fitted was compared with a third unit without screens.
There was a 4.9% reduction in power consumed. Those energy savings alone would have achieved a 13-month payback on the installation of the screens.
However, ongoing reductions in maintenance costs reduced the return on investment to less than four months, mainly by enabling filters to be replaced less often.
John Grenville, managing director of ECEX, comments, ‘Pollen, leaves, insects and general airborne debris can have a dramatic negative effect, pushing up energy usage. Our air-intake screens offer the opportunity to cut costs, reduce maintenance and increase the life of internal filters by up to 60%.’
