According to the EPA, the main purposes of a Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system are to help maintain good indoor air quality (IAQ) through adequate ventilation with filtration and provide thermal comfort. HVAC systems are among the largest energy consumers in schools. The choice and design of the HVAC system can also affect many other high performance goals, including water consumption (water cooled air conditioning equipment) and acoustics.

HVAC filters are an important part of HVAC maintenance. If you don’t replace them, your system will not be able to run at peak efficiency, which can lead to higher energy bills and more frequent breakdowns. Filters should be replaced on a regular basis–at least every three months, but more frequently if the school has a large student population or if the building is located in an area with high air pollution levels (such as near traffic).