Q. Where else can I look to improve efficiency?
A. It is also important with multiple bays to manage the use to match the occupancy. As a simple example, let’s assume you have two 10 lane bays, and one bay is full with 10 shooters. An 11th shooter comes into the store. If you are coming up to a busy time of day, it makes sense to open your other bay. If this is traditionally a slow time, you will be better served waiting until one of the shooters on the bay finishes and a lane opens up. Good lane utilization management can reduce your operation costs.

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Q. What other strategies can help reduce operating costs?

A. We asked our customers to share approaches they are taking to successfully lower operating costs.  Here’s what they told us is working for them –

• Changing pre-filters regularly extends life of HEPA filters.

  Change pre-filters and mid-filters on schedule to extend the life of the more expensive HEPA filters.  Keeping on schedule also avoids the extra power costs to push air through clogged filters.

• Economize on filter disposal costs by slowly filling up a big shipping container in order to do one big haul instead of multiple little ones.  If you have a high volume of disposed filters, consider investing in a compactor, which is available from AcuSport. Note: Make sure you are following EPA limits for stored waste at your location. Accumulation Time Limit is: 90 days (Title 22, CCR, section 66262.34(a)).  180 days or 270 days if the distance to the treatment or disposal facility is more than 200 miles. Any quantity of acutely or extremely hazardous waste must be removed in 90 days (Title 22, CCR, section 66262.34(d)).

• Switch to MERV 14 or 15 high capacity bag filters only as pre-filters that allow a reduced frequency of filter changes (down to a 10-14-week cycle in most cases).  The filters themselves don't cost much more and since they're cloth, more can fit into the bin for recycling.

• Talk to the staff at Carey’s for the best filter suggestions based on their continual test and monitoring of systems.  Your results may vary.

• Manage your lane and bay usage for the best economics.

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Q. Can I cut costs by not using HEPA filters?

A. NO! It may be tempting to try using pre-filters alone to avoid the cost of HEPA filter replacement.  To do so, however, risks inadequate removal of lead contamination which can result in disciplinary action by OSHA and/or the EPA.  Fines and mitigation costs can run into the hundreds of thousands.  (For more discussion, see Answer Book #1, The HEPA Filter Book.)

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Q. Can I reduce operating costs by using  100% outside air with no re-circulation?

A. There are locations in the country where purge systems with 100% outside air are the best design approach. We have used this in northern climates where the days over 90 degrees are limited. We typically do not recommend this for cooling systems. This approach requires larger cooling equipment, a greater initial cost and higher operation cost for the system during the heating and cooling seasons. Although there can be savings in the spring and fall using outside air, the higher heating and cooling expenses during the peak seasons usually cancel any potential savings. These statements assume that the NIOSH suggested 75 feet per minute design is the basis of design for the range.

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Q. How much is added for indirect operating costs?

1. There is no consistent answer for this question. It will depend on the many options you will have for the operation of your range including the following:

• Will there be a range officer on the range when occupied by customers?

• Will cleaning of the range be done by contractors or in-house employees?

• Will filters be changed by in-house employees or contractors?

• Range Safety Officer is an essential personnel cost in most commercial ranges.  He/she is classified as an Indirect Operating Cost.

  We suggest that the direct costs be used for comparison when selecting your systems as the indirect costs will be consistent for any systems selected.

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