For business owners and facility managers, the comfort and safety of building occupants are top priorities. That means ensuring proper indoor air quality. Improving IAQ requires the use of energy and materials, however. In many cases, this creates a linear economy where system components are replaced as they degrade. This results in unnecessary waste and increased carbon emissions.
One way to break out of the linear economy and into an HVAC circular economy is through repair and restoration instead of replacement. The cost benefits of creating this system make it even more attractive. The health benefits of improved system performance are well documented too.
HVAC Circular Economy
A linear economy treats natural resources as expendable. The products made from resources become waste it’s by design. This “take, make, waste” approach results in higher costs for businesses that need to replace outdated equipment. It’s also unsustainable as it uses resources without replacing them.
For building managers, the HVAC circular economy means extending the life of HVAC equipment
By contrast, a circular economy, or circularity, includes the reuse of resources. It relies on repair and refurbishment instead of replacement. This creates a closed-loop system that reduces waste. For building managers, the HVAC circular economy means extending the life of HVAC equipment. Increased system performance and reduced operational costs also result from this approach.
Benefits of Joining the Circular Economy
Energy efficiency
For building managers, the benefits of the HVAC circular economy are immediate. For example, the cost of refurbishing existing systems is 20%-40% of the cost of purchasing new equipment.
Refurbishing equipment also improves energy efficiency which lowers operating costs. In addition, it extends the life of the system and reduces the need for expensive maintenance calls.
Better performance
As equipment degrades over time, this also puts the health of building occupants in jeopardy. When dust and debris build up in the HVAC system it prevents the system from circulating clean air throughout the building. Also, microbes such as bacteria and fungus form in the air handling unit.
Better performance and a safer work environment result in lower costs in the long term
These pathogens disperse through the ductwork putting people at risk of respiratory illnesses. However, with HVAC refurbishment, systems get cleaned and disinfected. Better performance and a safer work environment result in a lower costs in the long term.
HVAC New Life Restoration and the Circular Economy
Pure Air Control Services encourages businesses to transition to HVAC circular economy. Our New Life Restoration process is an effective way to do it. The methods employed as a part of this system include an HVAC Hygiene Assessment to evaluate system performance.
It also tests for the presence of bacteria, mold, and other microbes in the air handling unit. We help close the loop with steps that remove and replace old insulation, disinfect the evaporator coil and ductwork, and refurbish and update system components.
Reduces energy costs, noise
Creating an HVAC circular economy leads to better indoor environmental quality. It also reduces energy costs and extends the life of the system while keeping building occupants safe. This includes removing old insulation to prevent degraded materials from traveling through the ductwork.
PURE-Cell fiberglass-free material reduces noise as it repels moisture and prohibits microbial growth
Once fiberglass particles enter the ductwork and travel throughout the building, employees and visitors breathe them into their lungs. An industrial-strength vacuum with a HEPA filter removes these particles. Old insulation is replaced with PURE-Cell fiberglass-free material. This zero-porosity insulation also reduces noise as it repels moisture and prohibits microbial growth.
14-point PURE-Steam
In addition, the 14-point PURE-Steam is utilized to disinfect the AHU with high-temperature steam. This method also uses the low-pressure turbulence of the steam to knock out dirt and debris. PURE-Steam effectively restores airflow and cooling capacity saving energy and extending coil life.
The application of our PURE-Coat on system components stops corrosion and rust and prevents the growth of microbes within the system. The PURE-Coil method protects the coil just as our PURE-Liner method protects the drain. It also recommends retrofitting the old blower with an ECM Fan Array. Doing so increases the efficiency of the AHU which also lowers energy costs and removes the need for motor and belt maintenance.
