Commercial Tower Increases Operating Performance

In addition, the facilities managers of the office tower are committed to maintain high environmental standards. The building was awarded BOMA GoGreen, Level 2 certification, the Canadian industry standard for commercial building sustainability certification. Green building practice is achieved by efficiently using energy, water, and other resources, while reducing impact on human health and the environment. Thus, the real estate management firm wanted to increase the building’s filter efficiency so that the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) was both optimised and as green as possible. Decreasing filter changeout would also reduce waste for the facility.

The AAF Flanders Solution

The firm’s AAF Flanders representative performed an air filtration audit throughout the office tower and then presented a 2-year filter proposition. This proposition compared pricing, including labour costs, and rate of filter changeout for both the current filters being used and the recommended filters. 

The proposed filters included MEGApleat^® M8 as a prefilter and VariCel^® 2+HC MERV 14 as a final filter. The MEGApleat M8 filter was recommended because it loads at a slower rate, increasing the life of the filter. Lower pressure drop and higher dust holding capacity (DHC) translate to reductions in energy consumption and operating costs. The MEGApleat M8 filter construction process results in a filter which is very stable, with no racking or vibration of the pleats under normal airflow. Pleat stability minimises the chances of captured particulate shaking loose and re-entering the airstream.

The VariCel 2+HC filter was recommended because of its low initial resistance, ideal pleat spacing, and higher-than-average media density, which allows for maximised particle management and full media utilisation. This filter’s high DHC equates to a longer service life, which reduces the number of filter changeouts. In addition, the thinner depth of the VariCel 2+HC makes disposal easy. These filters are only one-third the volume of other high-efficiency filters, significantly reducing the contribution to landfills. With no metal components, they are also suitable for incineration.