Why it is NECESSARY to replace filters?
Your ventilation system will only supply fresh air throughout the year if it is properly maintained, i.e. if air filters are replaced at least 2 times a year
When was the last time you replaced your air filters?
Most breathers will probably say "I don't remember, maybe six months ago".
This means air filters were replaced a year, two, five years ago or possibly never at all.
Air filters must be replaced at least twice a year,
preferably before and after the heating season. If filters are not replaced on time, your ventilation init will consume more electricity, run louder and, most importantly, will not supply the fresh air flow you need! The lifespan of an air filter depends on its density, the higher filtration class the sooner the filter will clog. Your ventilation unit power setting should be increased if necessary as your device is in constant operation and its air filters start to clog. If 40% ventilation power setting is sufficient when air filters are new, even 80% may not be enough at the end of their lifecycle. You will also save on your electricity bills if filters are replaced on regular basis.
Each air handling unit has two air filters. One protects the sensitive components of the unit from damage by dust, another protects your lungs and health. Both supply and exhaust air filters must be replaced at scheduled intervals. Sufficient exhaust air flow is very important as your heat recovery unit needs it to transfer heat energy to the fresh air supplied to the room.
Supply air filter traps particulate matter (dust, smoke, ash, salts) of outdoor air, also micro-organisms (mould, bacteria and viruses) and pollen. The denser the filter, the smaller and more particles it can trap. The smaller the particles, the more dangerous they are to your health.
Exhaust air filter prevents living room dust from entering your ventilation unit. Once inside the unit, those can damage fan ball-bearings or deposit a thin layer on the heat exchanger plates. In the first case, your ventilation unit will simply stop working. In the second case, nothing will happen. Or rather, nothing easily noticeable. However, e.g. construction dust wet by the moisture condensed by the heat recovery unit will form a continuous layer of plaster on thin plates of the heat exchanger, thus preventing it from effectively transferring heat energy to cold outdoor air. This will irreversibly reduce the thermal efficiency of your heat recovery unit.
Which filtration class is right for me?
G4, M5, or F7? Coarse, ePM10, or maybe ePM1?Choose filtration class depending on your location, season or the progress of your construction.
Choose filtration class depending on your location, season or the progress of your construction
Since 2012 the efficiency of the air filters was determined by the compliance of the filtering material with the EN 779:2012 standard. in 2018 In July, the new ISO 16890 standard entered into force, but for the convenience of users, many manufacturers present their products compliace in accordance with both standards. Most popular filtration classes of domestic ventilation systems filters are:
| EN 779:2012 | ISO 16890 | Traps |
| G4 | Coarse | Coarse particulate matter |
| M5 | ePM10 55% | Medium-sized particulate matter |
| F7 | ePM1 70% | Fine particulate matter |
The higher the filtration class, the finer particulates the filter will trap. Choose efficient (F7/ePM1) filtration if:
Location. If you live near a busy street or the ventilation unit air intake is located close to a parking space.
Time of year. During spring and summer, if larger number of pollen-producing trees grow near your home. During winter, if there are houses that are heated by burning solid fuel in the neighbourhood.
Completion of construction works. If your or your nearest neighboring homes are not yet finished, paving is underway and there is a lot of dust outside. We recommend to use high efficiency filters not only for the supply but also for the exhaust air flow if the ventilation unit is being used in premises where decoration works have not yet been completed. This way you will protect the sensitive components of yout ventilation unit, such as heat exchanger and fans, from possible damage.
It is very important to replace the air filters in your ventilation unit regularly, to assure sufficient air flow. While G4/ISO Coarse class filters will still allow certain airflow even after six months of operation, clogged F7/ePM1 class filters may stop the airflow completely. Different filter efficiencies also result in different lifespans – the denser the filter is, the faster it will clog.