HVAC Efficiency with Air Intake Screens

Protecting HVAC Equipment Made Easy

GDF Cofely chiller showing the debris collected       after only two weeks.  Efficient filtration Easy to fit  Easy to clean.  Easy on the pocket.

HVAC mechanical systems present a variety of challenges to facilities managers and probably cost more than any  other item in the facilities budget. Representing a high percentage of capital costs and operating expenses in repairs, replacements and energy costs, an HVAC system generates an estimated 25 percent of the total energy use in commercial and institutional buildings. Large energy-using systems translate into significant annual savings or losses because they play a critical roll in keeping occupants, data and production processes  comfortable and productive.

Having Performance Issues

Responsible for system performance, Facility Managers struggle to deliver optimal efficiency with preventative maintenance and still balance the budget. Budget cuts and staff shortages force facility management departments to be more creative in planning and prioritising projects. Deferring equipment service may be tempting as a short term solution but leads to greater costs in the long run. Unavoidable environmental issues like air intake obstructions and debris buildup impacts equipment’s airflow and restricts heat transfer. Forced to run for longer cycle times at reduced capacity, operating costs will escalate, breakdowns will occur and equipment life expectancy will decrease.

Debris Clean-Up, Again

A dirty condenser coil reduces cooling capacity (10 ton AC system only provides 7 tons of cooling) and uses much more energy than equipment with clean coils. In areas with vegetation, trees and building sites, repeated cleaning is necessary. Delicate fins and coils require time consuming hand brushing and messy corrosive chemicals that can damage system components and the environment over time. Costly cleaning is especially problematic when there are numerous sets of fins and coils located in hard to reach places or on roof tops without water access.

Let’s look at some numbers associated with dirty coils, which will increase with the number and size of units at each location.

•  An average coil cleaning cost of £250 per RTU, at a facility with 5 units can add up to £2,500 if done 2x annually
•  Average energy cost to run a 20 Ton Trane unit with dirty versus clean coils: KWH with clean coils 41,600 – KWH with dirty coils 64,800

Savings/YR @ national average of £0.12/KWH = £2,784

Air intake filtration to prevent damage and blockage of the condenser coils is a simple, cost-effective method of reducing maintenance costs while optimising an HVAC system’s operating efficiency and lifespan. 

Contaminants like grass cuttings, insects, seedlings, dust and dirt are captured before they enter the system, and quickly brushed clean with a broom. Permatron’s PreVent® air intake screens are custom manufactured for each application, ready in just days for easy installation and fitted to the individual equipment. 

Want to know more? Call 0800 999 5750 and talk to one of the team.

Article courtesy of Permatron Corporation. www.permatron.com Manufacturing quality filters since 1957