At Puremaxx, we’re no strangers to helping facilities reduce filter costs, cut down on labor, and boost efficiency. But sometimes, the savings go far beyond what’s expected. In this case study, a large, well-known hospital asked us to perform a deep analysis of their secondary HVAC filters from an energy usage standpoint—and the results were impressive.

The Challenge:

Like many healthcare facilities, this hospital was looking for ways to cut costs without compromising indoor air quality or HVAC system performance. They suspected their current filter program wasn’t as efficient as it could be, but they needed hard data to prove it.

The Puremaxx Approach:

To fully understand the hospital’s current filtration costs, we took a multi-layered approach:

Independent Lab Testing
We sent multiple brands of V-cell filters to a certified lab for detailed performance testing, including pressure drop and efficiency.

Real-World Energy Data
The hospital provided us with actual energy usage and cost data from their facility, which we used to map how filter performance affected power consumption.

Labor Analysis
We looked closely at how often filters were being changed, how long those changes took, and how that translated into real dollars.

The Total Life Cost Calculator

Once all the data was collected, we used our Total Life Cost Calculator—a tool we developed to evaluate all key cost factors in HVAC filtration:

• Initial filter cost

• Energy usage based on pressure drop

• Labor required for filter changes

• Impact of various changeout intervals
  
  

This tool gave us a holistic picture of the real cost of each filter brand and setup—not just what they paid up front.

Surprising Results:

1. Energy Waste from Overused Filters
The hospital had been running filters past the recommended pressure drop, though not yet reaching the maximum. This seemingly harmless practice was silently driving up their energy bills significantly.

2. Better Filter, Lower Cost
We were able to recommend a more efficient V-cell filter that actually cost less than what they were currently using—providing both performance and price benefits.

3. Customization is Key
Unlike one-size-fits-all solutions, we tailored our recommendation to their specific system needs, facility layout, and usage patterns. That customization helped prevent savings in one area from creating problems in another.

Total Savings to Date: Over $300,000

And we’re just getting started.

This initial study focused on secondary filters only. The next phases will examine pre-filters and HEPA filters, where we expect to find even more savings opportunities by improving filter life, labor efficiency, and air system performance.

Final Thoughts:

This case reinforces a core belief at Puremaxx: Every facility is unique, and optimizing your filter program requires a holistic approach.

If you’re only focused on initial filter cost or basic change-out schedules, you could be missing out on significant energy and labor savings.

Interested in uncovering savings at your facility?
Let Puremaxx perform a Total Life Cost Analysis tailored to your building.
👉 Contact us now or call 865-525-8697