Monthly Archives: January 2018

Why You Shouldn’t Re-Use Disposable Air Filters

industrial air filters richmond VAPermanent and semi-permanent models of air filters can be cleaned as a regular part of HVAC system maintenance, and then reinserted to the unit for continuous use. However, disposable filters simply don’t work the same way. Despite an urge you may have to save money, we have several reasons why re-using disposable industrial air filters in Richmond, VA isn’t a good idea.

They Aren’t Designed to Get Wet
The only air filters that are meant to be washed and re-used are made from materials than can get wet and dry again without forming mold or mildew. Because mold is an obvious IAQ issue, a moldy filter is the last thing you’ll want to put in your HVAC system.

They Can Get Damaged
While cleaning a disposable HVAC filter with a vacuum or your hands may seem like an easy way to conserve resources, a filter can also be damaged if it’s handled this way. If you tear a hole in the fibers or loosen their density, your air filter will simply not work as well as before.

Even Vacuuming Isn’t Effective
While using a vacuum may make the filter appear cleaner, particles of dirt and dust are still trapped within the layers of material. Even if you keep the fibers intact while you clean the filter, a vacuum simply isn’t enough to get it clean again.

Knowing When to Change Your Hydraulic Filters

hydraulic filter suppliers VAFilters keep the hydraulic fluids in your unit clean, and prevent clogs and abrasion that can damage equipment performance and cause the failure of various parts. By changing filters regularly, you can avoid nasty surprises and system failures.

However, if you change your hydraulic filters too early, you may be wasting money on unnecessary filter changes. On the other hand, waiting too long to change them can reduce the lifespan of every component in the hydraulic system.

Overall, you can expect the best bang for your buck by changing hydraulic filters when they’ve reached their dirt-holding capacity, but before the bypass valve opens. This will require a mechanism to monitor the restriction to flow (pressure drop) across the filter element, and then alert you when this point has been reached. Also, monitoring the filter elements in a hydraulic system continuously can provide valuable insight regarding the performance of the filter, as well as the condition of the system. Hydraulic filter suppliers in VA know that with an early warning of potential issues such as component failures and element rapture, you could save a significant amount of money.

If you would prefer a simpler method, refer to your machine’s gauges to tell you when filters need cleaning. However, you should also note the cleaning intervals recommended by the filter manufacturer and use them to create a filter maintenance schedule.