What is green air filter and how does your air filter choice impact your building and the environment? Simply put, a green air filter provides a high level of filtration efficiency for improved air quality while providing low airflow resistance to minimize energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Green air filters also provide long life for fewer change-outs and use minimal components to reduce source and waste streams. Overall, green air filters can be effective in reducing building operating expenses as well as protecting the environment.
Indoor Air Quality
Air filters are no longer simply used to protect HVAC equipment. Effective air filtration provides the primary defense for building occupants against pollutants in a building. Now more than ever, air filters play a critical role in the indoor air quality of the building itself. Better indoor air quality can reduce absenteeism and has been shown to improve employee productivity.
Energy Efficiency
HVAC systems consume approximately 40% of the energy used in commercial buildings. Air filters play a significant role in the energy used to operate the HVAC system. The higher the filter’s resistance to air passing through it, the more energy is consumed to operate the HVAC system’s motor.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The resistance of an air filter is directly related to the amount of energy consumed by an HVAC system. Greenhouse gas emissions are directly related to energy consumption, and more specifically, electric power generation. Simply put, minimizing energy consumption reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Source and Waste Stream Reduction
Since some filters are disposable products, they have a significant impact on the waste stream of a building. By extending the life of a filter, or by using filters with fewer or lighter weight components, both the source and waste streams of a building can be reduced. Permanent HVAC filters can be washed and reused, reducing items sent to the landfill. Green Irene sells MERV 13 HVAC air filters for homes and small businesses that improve indoor air quality, as well as permanent air filters that can be washed and reused.
