By Philipp Schluter, Sustainability and Efficiency Specialist – Camfil Australia
Since the world was gripped by a global pandemic, the importance of managing air contaminants has become more apparent.
As a focus of environmental, health and government scrutiny, the once-humble air filter is now pulling triple duty – as a frontline defence against airborne health threats, a lever for operational efficiency, and a quiet champion of long-term sustainability.
For facility managers and infrastructure planners, the key is to look beyond upfront costs and focus on long-term value using life cycle cost (LCC) analysis.
Clean air: a valuable asset
Clean air has traditionally been prioritised in healthcare and laboratory environments, but post-pandemic society has redefined the value of fresh, filtered air across all facility types.
From office towers to industrial workshops, schools to retail centres, indoor air quality (IAQ) is now recognised as a determinant of productivity, absenteeism, cognitive function, and even long-term disease risk.
The impacts of ultrafine particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5) on human health in terms of cardiovascular disease are well established. Recent evidence linking IAQ with cognitive functions, even increased rates of dementia, is of great concern.
In fact, the data paints a compelling picture. Poor IAQ has been linked to drops in worker performance and higher rates of sick leave. A 2023 study by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) tellingly titled “Air quality in the workplace – the most important environmental issue you probably weren’t aware of”, found that poor indoor air quality can lead to productivity loss of as much as 15 per cent.
Enhanced IAQ, on the other hand, has been shown to improve concentration, boost cognitive test scores, and cut down on building-related symptoms like fatigue and headaches – especially in high-occupancy environments such as schools and open-plan offices.
Camfil’s recent whitepaper covers a study of call centres in China, in which researchers linked higher pollution levels with measurable dips in daily output – showing that even modest improvements in air quality can drive significant economic gains.
Life cycle thinking
LCC analysis offers a holistic method for evaluating the total cost of an asset over its lifespan. Instead of making procurement decisions based on capital expenditure (capex) alone, LCC folds in operational expenditure (opex) – including maintenance, energy usage, downtime and disposal costs.
This matters enormously when it comes to air filters. According to Camfil, a leading manufacturer of clean air solutions, facilities that invest in high-efficiency filters with lower pressure drop can reduce total cost of ownership by up to 48 per cent. That’s because energy – not the filter unit itself – accounts for the lion’s share of a filter’s environmental and financial footprint.
A poorly designed filter that creates high airflow resistance may be cheaper upfront, but will cost more in the long run by forcing fans to work harder, increasing energy bills and shortening equipment life.
By contrast, filters with optimised media and geometry maintain performance while reducing pressure drop and energy consumption – delivering better air and better value.
Compliance meets efficiency
Air filtration now sits at the intersection of health protection and emissions compliance. As governments tighten both filtration and energy standards, and introduce carbon reporting obligations (like Australia’s reformed Safeguard Mechanism or NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) indoor environment ratings), LCC tools become vital for aligning operational decisions with sustainability goals.
In Australia, businesses with turnover under $50 million can now access additional tax deductions for spending on energy efficiency and electrification. This opens the door to filter upgrades and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) improvements that not only reduce operational carbon, but also offer measurable tax and reputational benefits.
In this context, clean air investments are increasingly seen as part of the ESG (environmental, social and governance ) toolkit. With growing stakeholder scrutiny on transparency and decarbonisation, facilities that can demonstrate lower emissions through smarter equipment choices gain an edge – and LCC software is the engine room of this strategy.
In recognition of the vital part filtration plays in keeping the population healthy, key standards such as AS1668.2 has been updated (June 2024) and AS16890 has been introduced (November 2024), providing a robust regulatory framework to assist filter selection.
Not all filters are created equal
So, what does a smart filter investment look like in practice?
Camfil’s innovations in this space – including its upgraded Hi-Flo bag filter series – show that performance and sustainability can be engineered in tandem. The new generation of Hi-Flo filters boasts a 12 per cent reduction in energy consumption compared to previous models, and more than 30 per cent lower than the industry average, based on Eurovent data. The gap in Australia is even greater, given most buildings still rely on AS1324 rated filters, a standard that is several decades out of date in international comparison.
The smarts are in the media and the design. Modern manufacturing technology allows ultra-finely spun, high-lofted media to capture finer particles, in far greater quantity and for much longer, than previous coarse media that relies on a fleeting electrostatic charge. Further, filters that use more media surface area, conical bag seams, and optimised airflow paths offer significantly lower initial pressure drops. The innovations extend filter life, reduce maintenance, and cut back on pollution – all of which contribute to lower Scope Three greenhouse gas emissions.
Even more compelling is the shift from dual-stage to single-stage filtration.
Many traditional HVAC systems use a prefilter followed by a fine filter to protect the fine filter and extend its life, but this setup often results in higher total energy use due to the combined airflow resistance. Camfil’s high-capacity filters are designed for single-stage operation without compromising air quality, simplifying system design and reducing energy demand, while still lasting two to four times longer than traditional filters.
Precision planning
The real power of LCC analysis lies in its ability to model real-world performance, not just theoretical specs. By factoring in local utility rates, hours of operation, contaminant load, fan efficiency and labour costs, LCC software can simulate the full financial and environmental profile of a filter over time.
This enables facility managers to compare filter options based on more than just unit cost or MERV rating.
It also provides a defensible basis for capital investment decisions – a key advantage when justifying upgrades to finance teams or sustainability auditors.
For example, while a single-stage system may reduce energy use and simplify design, a two-stage setup can sometimes offer greater overall value depending on the building’s needs. When LCC is applied, the combined impacts of energy use, filter lifespan and maintenance requirements often reveal a more nuanced picture. In some cases, dual-stage systems may extend filter life or reduce cleaning costs, tipping the scale in their favour over time.
The optimal configuration may differ depending on building type, occupancy, pollution levels, and air change requirements – which is precisely why site-specific modelling is essential.
Clean air as infrastructure strategy
The infrastructure sector is under pressure to deliver not just built outcomes, but smart, sustainable and health-positive environments. In this context, air quality is no longer a background concern – it’s a strategic lever.
For more information, visit camfil.com
