Research Overview
Increasing Demand for More Filter Efficiency, Inspection, and Testing Challenging Manufacturers
The increasing concern for indoor air quality by end-users is challenging manufacturers to improve filter efficiency and performance levels. This is a major challenge to many manufacturers because low profit margins are making it difficult to invest in product development. Manufacturers are pressured by end-users to produce filters with higher performance levels and supplementary quality checks. Many end-users are also demanding manufacturers for more availability of documentation regarding filter materials, production process, testing, and efficiency. The trend for more efficiency and illustrations is strongest in the commercial market, particularly in more critical locations like hospitals. End-users in the residential and commercial market are becoming more educated about the importance for better indoor air quality and pressuring manufacturers for lower failure rates and additional quality checks. Filter failure in some instances can be catastrophic and end-users are expecting
100% filter compliance. Manufacturers are challenged to meet these growing demands and are addressing the issues. Air filters are increasingly monitored during the manufacturing process to prevent production flaws. Sales and customer service are educating customers about specifications and applications. Some manufacturers have hired more inspectors to make sure filters pass stringent tests before being delivered to the end-users. During a strong economy, price becomes a smaller factor than the level of quality and performance of air filters. For this reason, demand for quality is expected to continue to challenge manufacturers throughout the forecast period. However, many manufacturers are addressing the issues and working to comply with the increasing consumer demands.
More efficiency and less resistance reducing energy costs and increasing demand for filters
End-users, particularly in the commercial segment, are increasingly gaining awareness about the high-energy costs generated from inefficient HVAC systems. Filter manufacturers are responding to this concern by creating products with more efficiency to provide less resistance to the airflow in the HVAC system. According to the U.S. department of energy, a major energy source in commercial buildings where property managers are looking to save on costs is in the HVAC. The energy consumption from HVAC systems accounts for approximately 40.0 percent of the energy used in U.S. commercial and residential buildings. Filter manufacturers are designing products with higher efficiency levels to help property owners save on energy costs, which in turn are driving new demand for filters. This trend is also increasing the demand for new HVAC systems as building management is realizing that investing in proper air filtration can lead to major cost savings. As end-users are becoming more aware
about the potential cost saving through higher efficiency air filtration, demand for higher efficiency filters will further increase over the forecast period.
Growing Demand for High-Efficiency Air Filters
A growing concern about indoor air quality is driving end-users to become better educated about the quality and repercussion of indoor air. Concerns about viruses, bacteria and asthma are some of the main anxieties driving end-users to become better informed. With peoples desire for better indoor air quality, the filters market is experiencing a growing demand for higher efficiency filters. This movement is affecting the market in that filter manufacturers are selling higher-end type filters for a higher initial cost and end-users will have fewer replacements per year. As the market demand is moving towards higher efficiency filters the average price for ASHRAE filter is expected to increase and reduce total quantities ordered.
The desire and concern for high-efficiency filters and the necessity to remain cost effective is shifting the ASHRAE market from the low-end filters towards more efficient filters. This movement is expected to increase the market size as high-efficiency filters demand higher costs to end-users.
HEPA air filters in residential markets is still very limited due to the fact that HVAC systems in most houses are not configured to support HEPA filters. However, growing concerns for better Indoor Air Quality is generating more interest in HEPA air filtration and manufacturers are expecting to see a demand for HEPA air filtration from new construction projects. HEPA air filters are expected to have a major growth spurt in the residential market by 2007-2008.
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