Question:
Does Air Solution Company offer an electrostatic or multi-layered filter media?
Answer:
Air Solution Company's core business revolves around providing proven air intake filtration solutions for high volume / high velocity airflow systems such as cooling towers, condenser & chiller coils, rooftop units, louver panels and other HVAC systems. All Air Solution Company air intake filters are specifically engineered using a non-electrostatic media with low impact on static pressure. Because of the non-electrostatic properties, debris is easily removed from the media during cleaning.
Use of an electrostatic media on high velocity / high volume air-flow systems would offer little benefit to the user because the electrostatic properties would not be sufficient to capture and hold the dust size particulates traveling at high velocity; Furthermore, using media with an electrostatic charge would impede the cleaning process because an electrostatic charge attracts and holds the very debris (larger particulates) which is being removed - It's kind of like static on a garment that attracts and holds lint.
As for using multi-layered media on high velocity airflow systems, cottonwood seed, insects and other airborne debris is considerably more difficult to remove because the debris gets tangled into a denser media and when combined with an electrostatic charge can considerably increase the time and effort for cleaning.
Air Solution Company air intake filters are designed for long term durability, efficiency and maintenance friendliness.
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Question:
How long have air intake filters been in use?
Answer:
Air Solution Company is the inventor of the Cottonwood Air Intake Filter Technology. The first air intake filter was produced for use on a process cooling tower for one of the big three auto companies in 1992. Since the original development, Air Solution Company has introduced the first cottonwood filter for condenser coils and rooftop units. Today, Air Solution Company is the leading producer of air intake filters for high velocity / high volume HVAC systems offering a variety of efficient fastening systems for every application.
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Question:
What effect does Air Intake Filters have on static pressure and the performance of my equipment?
Answer:
Air Intake Filters are specifically engineered for low static pressure impact on high velocity / high volume air intake systems. When Air Intake Filters were originally developed, they were independently tested by The Midwest Research Institute (a CTI - Cooling Tower Institute certified testing agency) to insure that the filter we brought to market provided a balance between filtration performance and low impact on static pressure. All testing was conducted using AMCA (Air Movement and Control Association) standards. Additionally, air intake filter media has been tested by an independent testing laboratory recognized by NAFA (National Air Filtration Association).
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Question:
Is it possible to use window screen or other commercially available mesh screening and accomplish the same filtration performance?
Answer:
Using any mesh product can quickly get you into trouble because not all mesh is created equal. Many factors go into producing a mesh filter that will work on high volume / high velocity air-flow systems without causing an unacceptable drop in static pressure, and potentially resulting in the voiding of equipment warranties. Using the wrong mesh will reduce equipment efficiency and shorten the life of the equipment.
Commercially available mesh isn't designed to provide the necessary balance of filtration performance and high velocity air-flow and unlike the smooth easy to clean surface engineered into our Air Intake Filters, window screen and other mesh typically have rough and difficult to clean surfaces.
Important Note: Filter media approved for use on low velocity systems, usually don't work (without an unacceptable drop in static pressure) in high volume / high velocity applications such as cooling towers, chiller & condenser coils, air handling units and louvers.
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Question:
How strong are air intake filters after they have been installed?
Answer:
Air intake filters are specifically designed for strength and durability to withstand the extremes of outdoor exposure. The filter mesh is designed to withstand several hundreds of pounds of pressure and can withstand the rigors of commercial and industrial cleaning and handling. Although not scientifically tested, several large stud adapter filters mounted to cooling towers in Palm Beach Florida, survived hurricane Jeanne with no damage to the filters; each filter withstood sustained winds of 90 mph and wind gusts exceeding that. Filters continued to perform, keeping debris out of the cooling towers during the storm.
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Question:
Are Air Intake Filters available from local distributors?
Answer:
Yes, Air Solution Company has a network of qualified distributors marketing the product. Please contact Air Solution Company for a distributor nearest you.
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Question:
Are Air Intake Filters Cost Effective?
Answer:
Yes. Air Intake Filters are highly cost effective, especially when compared to your annual cost for maintenance, downtime and lost productivity due to system fouling. When weighing the cost of air intake filters, it is important to remember that the filters will last for up to 15 yrs. If you conservatively annualize the cost of the filters over 10 years, your annualized cost will almost invariably be outweighed by your annual maintenance, downtime, lost productivity and replacement parts cost due to system fouling and clogging. Further, if you amortize the cost over as little as 1 – 5 yrs, you will almost always realize a cost saving.
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Question:
What is the benefit of using Air Intake Filters vs. water filtration systems?
Answer:
There are several benefits to using Air Intake Filtration over water filtration systems. First of all, when you use a water filtration system it will only help you manage the debris that has been drawn into your cooling water. Secondly, because the water filter surface area is so much smaller than air intake filters, you are required to clean the filters with greater frequency and if you don’t have bypass capability that means shutting down your system. Furthermore, when using water filtration systems, they do nothing to protect the fill material and to keep the debris from getting into the cooling tower. Additionally, when comparing the cost of water vs. air intake filtration, water filtration systems are almost invariably more expensive.
Air Intake Filters are specifically designed to filter the air before it gets into your system thus protecting both fill and cooling water in the first place.
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Question:
How Long Do Air Intake Filters Last?
Answer:
Air Intake Filters are highly durable and will provide up to 15 years of service.
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Question:
What is the difference between the Pulley-Mount and Snap-lock Air Intake Filters?
Answer:
The Pulley-Mount Filter is specifically designed for medium to large air intake openings and comes partially assembled inside of a galvanized storage container that mounts on or below the unit. When fully assembled, the filter raises and lowers in and out of the storage box using a pulley and rope. In contrast, the Snap-Lock Filter is designed for small and medium size openings and come equipped with snap saddles that mount around the outer edge of the air intake opening. Filters then snap onto the mounted snap saddles.
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Question:
Can Air Intake Filters be installed on any type of air intake opening?
Answer:
Yes, Air Intake Filters are specifically built to the exact size and dimension of your specific equipment. Filters can be of any shape and size.
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Question:
Can Air Intake Filters help fight algae and bacteria growth?
Answer:
Yes. Air Intake Filters are highly effective at helping to reduce bio- activity in cooling towers. The reason for it’s effectiveness is two-fold. First, by stopping organic debris from being drawn into the tower, the nutrient source that supports bacterial proliferation is eliminated. Secondly, because air intake filters diffuse sunlight, it thwarts the algae growth that depends upon sunlight for photosynthesis and growth. In the absence of sunlight, algae cannot proliferate.
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Question:
Are Air Intake Filters easy to install?
Answer:
Yes. Both the Pulley-Mount and Stud Adapter Filters are easy to install. On large applications such as large in-ground field erected cooling towers, special framing and support is required to support the filters. However, on individual filter requirements, all of the needed installation hardware is included with the filter. Further, two people can easily mount air intake filters.
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Question:
When is the best time of year to use Air Intake Filters?
Answer:
Spring Summer and Fall are typically the best times of year to use Air Intake Filters. However, the need is best defined by the ambient conditions in your region. During Spring and summer cottonwood seed, dandelion seed and insects are typically problematic for cooling towers, condensers, chiller coils and air handling units. In the fall, insects, leaves and harvest debris are problematic. However, man-made debris that gets into the air may be a problem that requires filtration year round (eg., paper mills, fiber board plants).
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Special Note:
Some regions of the country experience the 13 year and 17 year Cicadas that can have devastating effect on cooling towers and other high volume air intake systems. This large insect emerges in thirteen and twelve year cycles during the summer (usually July and August depending upon region) and can literally foul and plug all cooling towers and air handling systems in the region where they emerge. If next year is the year in your region, then investing in air intake filtration can save you literally thousands of dollars in downtime and maintenance cost. Click Here For Cicada Details.
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