Issued by: KIMBERLY-CLARK PROFESSIONAL* Filtration Research & Engineering

Author: Nancy Zimmerman, CAFS, Senior Research Scientist, Kimberly-Clark* Filtration Products

Regularly changing filters may not be high on your agenda. But when you look at how much intentionally or unintentionally delaying filter maintenance is costing you in terms of increased energy use, it suddenly becomes much more important.

Fact: The cost of energy to push air through a filter usually exceeds the cost of the actual filter.

Delayed filter maintenance causes the filter to run more days at peak energy usage. That means it doesn't take long for peak usage cost to offset any savings in filter price. (See figure 3.)

Typical Life-Cycle Costs of Filter System
18% Filter Price and Installation
81% Energy Consumption
1% Filter Disposal

Filter price and installation represent only 1/5 of total filtration costs. But delaying the purchase of filters seems attractive because the savings appear to be immediate and tangible.

Energy use isn't as tangible. But it is the largest operating cost involved in filtration. It is also your biggest opportunity to save money.

Fact: Filters play a major role in the energy consumed in operating the HVAC system in your building.

It gets down to physics. Energy used is directly proportional to the airflow resistance of your filters. The more resistance, due to clogged filters, the more energy is used to push air through them.

Resistance typically increases as filters remove more and more contaminants from the air. This filtration is essential for air quality and protection of HVAC equipment. But it comes at an extremely high cost when filter maintenance is delayed.

Figures 1 and 2 show typical loading curve schematics of routine maintenance (four cycles) versus delayed maintenance (three cycles).

Figure 1

In Figure 2, the red area shows the additional period of highest energy consumption.

Figure 2

Figure 3 summarizes the total cost of a delayed versus routine filter maintenance approach. The energy cost of an extra month of usage is so high because the filters are operating at their highest airflow resistance.

Figure 3

While energy cost is one major factor, environmental impact is another cost to consider.

Fact: Delaying filter maintenance increases energy production and CO2 emissions.

According to the U.S. Environmental Information Administration, 1.354 pounds of CO2 are released into the atmosphere for every 1 kWh of electricity produced. The extra energy consumed by dirty filters drives up energy production and greenhouse gas emissions.

The bottom line: delayed filter maintenance may be extremely costly to your company – and our environment.

Use this tool to calculate the energy cost of the airflow resistance of your filters and find the optimal cost savings solution for your building:

Calculate The Impact of Your Filter Maintenance Decisions

For more information, email us at filtration_media@kcc.com