As a long-time AAF customer, this hospital system’s three campuses had installed a variety of AAF final filters — high-efficiency filtration for removing small particles from the airstream — to meet clean air needs. Depending on the application, installations included DriPak®, VariCel® and VariCel® M-Pak filters, as well as some HEPA filters in a new surgical suite.
Hospital-related infections can have significant economic consequences for any healthcare facility. That, along with the overarching need to provide clean air for patients, visitors and staff — led to the hospital system weighing an upgrade to its final filters.
At the time, the hospitals had various air handling units in use, ranging from 2- 30 years of service. The customer consulted AAF for help determining the benefits of upgrading its final filters.
An AAF representative performed an air filtration audit that showed the need for improvements, particularly in the older AHUs.
AAF presented three solutions to help the hospital system make the best decision for its IAQ and budget requirements. The solutions were categorized as good, better and best.
Good:
Continue using MERV 14 VariCel M-Pak filters and upgrade where necessary. Upgrade filter racks as needed, and inspect/replace gaskets and latches to ensure bypass is kept to a minimum. This solution offered the least cost with slightly better IAQ levels than before.
Better:
Upgrade all final filters and filter racks to MERV 15 VariCel® VXL filters. Compared to the VariCel M-Pak filters, this option demonstrated energy cost savings and improved the efficiency rating of all final filters on this level. It also allowed for a longer filter life cycle and improved airflow.
Best:
Upgrade final filters to AAF MEGAcel I filter with ePTFE Technology. Typically, traditional HEPA filters have a much higher airflow resistance and would not be used without a costly upgrade to the air handling units. However, the MEGAcel I filter offered something different — HEPA filtration with the lowest possible resistance. This option combines both optimal IAQ levels and energy savings.
Clean air is vital in hospital and healthcare facility operations to protect patients, staff, and visitors from airborne diseases and hospital-acquired infections, as well as to provide a comfortable, healthy, and odor-free environment. We understand the importance of clean air and help companies understand their complete filtration needs by conducting an air filter audit.
Ultra-high efficiency and ultra-low resistance ePTFE membrane ULPA filter. Compared to micro fiberglass media, AAF ePTFE media provides superior benefits, including inert chemical properties and reduced resistance. Beyond the robust strength and boron-free qualities of ePTFE membrane media, it also offers significantly lower pressure drop than traditional glass media.
A thorough air filter audit of your HVAC systems is the first step that we take in order to provide you with HVAC energy analysis for cost savings. In this way, we identify how your filtration system can optimally perform. Learn more about Total Cost of Ownership and solutions that help lower your HVAC cost.
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