This project aims to monitor the dirtiness of air filters in campus buildings in real-time by installing differential pressure sensors in air handling units and connecting them to an Energy Management System. This will allow the pressure differences of air filters to be monitored over time, replacing filters only when they reach full capacity rather than on a fixed schedule. Potential benefits include saving money and energy by using filters more efficiently and reducing the number purchased and disposed of.

1. Goal: To monitor the dirtiness of air filters in campus buildings in real-time
Increasing the Efficiency of Air Filters
1) Install differential pressure
sensors in air handling units
2) Connect sensors to
Energy Management System
(EMS)
3) Monitor pressure differences
of air filters over time using
EMS
Progress:
Potential Benefits:
Monitoring
lifecycle of air
filters in real-
time
Less filters
used
Less filters
bought
Less air
handling unit
motor power
used
Money is
saved
Less electrical
energy used
Energy is
saved
Money is
savedFilters
replaced when
they reach full
capacity
Filters not
replaced until
they reach full
capacity
Summary: This Physical Plant – Campus Services (PPCS)- led project is a pilot program involving the
installation and use of sensors to measure, in real-time, the lifecycle remaining of air filters in campus buildings.
This project is motivated by inefficiency of current methods of replacing the air filters, which involves replacing the
air filters on a pre-fixed schedule and by visual inspection—the first method involves replacing the air filters
regardless of the amount of lifecycle remaining and the second method is only slightly more accurate than the first.
As allowed by differential pressure sensors, accurately measuring the lifecycle remaining and monitoring this
information in real-time may bring economical and environmental benefits to the campus community.
PPCS – Sustainability & Engineering Services – Preventive Maintenance
Less filters into
the landfill
Better indoor
air quality