Air conditioning filter review – May results
We have just closed the May report from the review of ventilation systems at Epirusworld on Chorzowska Street. We checked exactly 83 air conditioning units to ensure every tenant a constant temperature and fresh air before the upcoming heatwaves. Results show that regular service allows us to avoid failures on the hottest days of the year.
Why the May service is crucial for us
At Epirusworld, we don't wait for the first heatwaves to turn the air conditioning on full power. Our technical team, consisting of 3 experienced technicians, started control work as early as May 6. For 9 working days, they checked every device in the office building, from the smallest modules of 45 m2 to large open-space areas. We focused on the patency of condensate drainage systems and the cleanliness of heat exchangers, which directly translates into lower electricity consumption by the building.
We noticed that pollen from nearby Silesian Park settles on the external filters faster than we assumed last year. This season, we replaced 47 filter inserts that were already heavily dusted. Thanks to this, air flow in the offices improved by nearly 23%, and the devices work much more quietly. For tenants, this means no noise during meetings and a stable 22 degrees Celsius, even when outdoor thermometers on Chorzowska show above thirty.
We replaced 47 external filters, which improved air flow by 23% even before the start of the summer season.
Specific numbers from the review of 83 units
During this year's work, we used 14 liters of specialized evaporator disinfectant. This is important because in BREEAM-standard offices, there is no place for musty smells or mold growth in the installation. Each of the 83 units passed a cooling system tightness test. In 4 devices on the third floor, we had to top up the refrigerant by an average of 340 grams, which saved them from compressor seizure during July heatwaves, which can be troublesome in Katowice.
The average service time for one indoor unit was 42 minutes. We worked between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM so as not to disturb office work, although in two cases we had to finish cleaning after 5:00 PM at the tenant's request. We also measured the discharge temperature – in every office it is within the norm of 7.2 - 8.4 degrees Celsius directly at the grate, which guarantees quick cooling of the room after the lunch break.
The impact of clean air conditioning on rental costs
A clean system is not just about health, but also about real savings in service charges. A dirty filter forces fans to work at higher speeds, which can raise the energy bill by about 12% per month. In May, thanks to the work performed, we managed to lower the forecast energy consumption by 214 PLN per month for one office module. This might be a small amount, but with 47 active tenants, the total savings for the entire Epirusworld facility are very clear.
Additionally, a regular review in May allows us to maintain our service promise – in the event of any fault, we react within 3 to 6 hours. If we hadn't done this review now, the number of reports in June could paralyze our technical department. Currently, we are certain that systems in the restaurant on the ground floor and in the fitness zone are prepared for the increased air humidity that accompanies stormy weather in our region.
Clean filters mean savings of around 214 PLN per month per office module.
BREEAM standard and daily convenience
As a BREEAM-certified building, Epirusworld must meet strict standards for indoor air quality. It's not just about temperature, but about the supply of fresh air from outside. During the May inspection, we calibrated CO2 sensors in 12 conference rooms. Thanks to this, the system automatically increases air exchange when more than 6 people are inside. This eliminates the problem of drowsiness during long presentations, which often happened in older buildings in Katowice.
It is also worth mentioning that our filters stop suspended dust PM10 and PM2.5, which is essential given the location close to the city center and national road No. 79. After the May service, dust levels inside the offices dropped to almost zero. This was especially noticeable on May 14, when the smog concentration outside was temporarily elevated. Our tenants could then work in conditions significantly better than those they had in homes on the outskirts of the city.
