In the context of climate change, and development of energy efficiency policies such as Eco-design of energy using products, EPBD, Energy Efficiency directives, ventilation systems are expected to become more energy efficient and the energy needed to filter the air reduced to a minimum.  Building are more and more insulated creating confined indoor environment known for long to have a detrimental effect on health and productivity, if not balanced by appropriate ventilation.

Every year, more than 300 000 Europeans die prematurely from the health impact of air pollution (CAFE project). According to DG SANCO’s  Envie Report published in 2008, about 2 million days of healthy life are lost each year as a consequence of indoor air pollution.

We spend more than 80% of our time indoors. Indoor air pollution not only results from emission of chemicals from building materials, furniture, electronic devices, indoor  human activities such as Hobbies, DIY, cooking and heating but results as well  from outdoor air pollution infiltration in our buildings. As a consequence, Indoor air can be up to 50 times more polluted than outdoor.

Envie report clearly pointed out outdoor combustion particles that infiltrate inside the building as the main burden of indoor air pollution related disease (apart from tobacco smoke).

Therefore a global set of measures to reduce people exposure to harmful indoor air pollutants must combine source emission reduction strategies as well as appropriate ventilation systems including appropriate filters that will effectively protect people from air pollution. It is crucial to prevent outdoor air pollutants from moving indoors and to continuously eliminate air pollution we generate indoor.

The perspective of the development of balanced ventilation systems confirms the need. Fine filters are needed to protect the heat exchangers from dust, as a prerequisite to achieve the expected energy savings.

Energy policies are designed by policy officers and experts that do not take into account the need for healthy indoor environment, focusing on the primary target of energy conservation. Too simplified concepts will definitely compromise indoor air quality and Europeans’ health.

In Promoting actions for healthy indoor air IAIAQ project report published in May 2011, experts from DG SANCO confirm again the most beneficial measure to create healthy indoor environment would be to better integrate IAQ in energy efficiency of buildings related directives.

Most efficient air filtration solutions have proven their energy efficiency and are available on the market. Existing standards for selection of the right filters such as EN13779 and EN 779 for filter tests should be integrated in all energy efficiency related regulation framework in order to design energy efficient ventilation systems and buildings that could fulfill the indoor air quality essential requirement.

Since 1963 Camfil Farr believes Clean Air is a Human right and designs high quality energy efficient filtration solutions that meet the needs of sustainable ventilation creating the right balance between healthy indoor air and energy savings.

Myriam TRYJEFACZKA
Camfil Farr Sustainability Manager
myriam.tryjefaczka@camfil.fr

For more information about low energy air filters or to find out how you can minimise energy use, make energy savings and reduce carbon emissions from your buildings visit www.lowenergyairfilter.co.uk and subscribe to the RSS feed here or subscribe to Camfil Farr FEED by Email. We regularly post about filter technology, clean air solutions, improving air quality, low energy air filters, CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment), AHUs (Air Handling Units) and the EPBD.