Chauvin Arnoux UK recently assisted Superior Filter Products (SFP Ltd) in demonstrating the cost effectiveness of a new air filter product within a working environment in a convention centre.
SPF needed to prove how their new efficient and cost-effective filters could offer the same level of airflow and performance, while using far less energy and therefore having a lower energy cost than the customer’s existing filters and reached out to Chauvin Arnoux for assistance.
Elliot Ajose, Regional Sales and Technical Manager for CAUK explains how, with the use of a PEL104 Power and Energy Logger and CA1227 Thermo-Anemometer, he assisted SFP Ltd in obtaining the accurate measurement data they required.
The goal of the study was to collect measurable data to compare the energy usage of the HVAC units using the existing standard filters in the convention centre with the new filters supplied by SPF Ltd. The intention being to both prove that the change of filter supplier was feasible from an economic point of view and to show the ongoing savings using the new alternative filters.
The study was conducted in two parts. First a two-hour log to obtain the normal energy use data with the existing filters still fitted in the air handling unit (AHU), and then an additional two-hour motoring and recording session once the filters had been replaced.
Throughout the tests a Chauvin Arnoux PEL104 Power and Energy Logger was used to determine the energy consumption of the air extraction system, and a CA1227 Thermo-Anemometer to ensure that the wind speed was constant at three meters per second. The PEL104 is an advanced power and energy logger capable of logging voltage and current and providing the energy and power results used to determine the total energy usage during the test.
Standard filters first
When using the standard filters for the first two hours of the trial, the PEL104 measured a total energy consumption of 26.29 kWh. Basing the total cost of the energy consumed and the UK average electricity price of £0.24 per kWh, the PEL calculated a final cost of £6.31 for the two hours. This gives an AHU operating cost for a standard eight-hour day of £25.24 and an annual cost of £9,212.
Now the SFP Filters
Energy consumption was recorded for another two hours after replacement of the standard filters with the SFP Filters, with the anemometer ensuring that the air flow did not change. During the second two-hour logging period the SFP Filters used significantly less energy, consuming only 7.853 kWh.
This was less than one third that of the original filters. Using the same electricity tariff as noted above, that equated to £1.88 for the two hours, £7.52 per 8-hour day and an annual energy cost of £2,737.
Cost Savings and Efficiency Improvements:
The results proved that the application of the new filters provided significant energy reduction benefits compared to the regular filters. SFP were able to show a near 70% saving in energy use throughout the two hours of the test – and hence the associated costs.
Specifically, the transition from conventional filters to SFP filters was shown to reduce the energy costs on one AHU by £6,475 per annum while the air speed remained constant, proving that the increased efficiency and energy saving were not achieved by compromising the airflow. Reassurance for the customer that the function and performance of the convention centre HVAC system would remain unchanged, while the annual energy consumption would be heavily reduced.
Apart from the ongoing cost savings the study also showed that there are environmental gains to be made by monitoring power and energy consumption with a Chauvin Arnoux PEL 104. Identifying the inefficiencies is important for any maintenance team attempting to reduce energy consumption. For the convention centre, the saving that will be achieved through the reduction in energy by moving to
the SFP filters will contribute significantly to lowering their carbon footprint. With the UK generation emissions factor for grid electricity of 0.20707 kg of CO2e per kWh of electricity, the convention centre can achieve on this one AHU an average reduction on overall annual emission of approximately 5.57 metric tons CO2e if SFP Filters are installed.
This is consistent with the UKs ongoing advancements toward the optimisation of energy utilisation and emission reduction across industries, especially due to increasing corporate and public establishments, moving to a sustainable future.
In summary
With the help of Chauvin Arnoux UK, a PEL104 Power and Energy Logger and a CA1227 Thermo- Anemometer, SFP Ltd were able to obtain precise and credible data to prove a reduction in energy consumption, with no effect on performance, for AHU’s fitted with their new filters.
The convention centre has the potential of reducing their energy costs, while at the same time making a positive impact on the environment, by reducing their carbon footprint by 5.57 metric tons of CO2e and saving £6,475 per year per AHU.
For electricians and facilities management teams, there is little simpler and more economically beneficial, than recording data with the Chauvin Arnoux PEL104 to establish opportunities to increase energy efficiency, decreasing costs and meeting sustainability goals.
This case study shows that monitoring energy consumption is a very feasible and cost-effective way of identifying improvements. It highlights long term commercial perspectives on energy savings and contributing to a more sustainable future for everyone. It’s an encouraging reminder of how small changes can make a big difference.
This article appeared in the Jan/Feb 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.
