K&N Global Filtration is excited to announce the formation of our new industrial group bringing high-performance, sustainable air filtration solutions to providers of mission critical infrastructure, including data centers and other industrial markets.

Tons of disposable filter waste generated

Each year, thousands of tons of air filter waste from data center facilities ends up in landfills. Stacking up, year after year.

“Disposing of conventional air filters has not only become more challenging and expensive, but is highly unsustainable and environmentally irresponsible,” comments Randy Bays, CEO of K&N Global Filtration. In 2021 alone, data centers worldwide contributed to 2.4 percent of global energy consumption. Our industrial group was formed to help solve these issues.”

K&N: the sustainable solution

Just as our founders disrupted the automotive industry more than 50 years ago, we are revolutionizing data centers and industrial applications with first-of-its-kind, high-performance and reusable air filtration solutions. K&N Global Filtration’s technology saves money, lowers energy costs, and provides significant sustainability benefits for data center and industrial applications everywhere.

“We strive to maintain our legacy of premium air filtration and the highest standards of performance. Innovation and performance are quite literally the values K&N is built on and we’re thrilled to bring our long-standing leadership and commitment to air filtration solutions to other critical industries,” Bays said.

With a rich history of innovation and premium product performance, K&N Global Filtration is dedicated to eliminating single-use air filter waste. To learn more about K&N;s industrial filters, visit knglobalfiltration.com or email at [email protected].

Cost considerations are important factors for data centers and industrial facilities when contemplating a switch from disposable, single-use air filters to washable and reusable industrial air filters.

Just one K&N Global Filtration air filter can replace years’ worth of disposable filters, reducing the cost of annual materials, labor, and power. Additionally, our air filters are fully customizable and tested for premium performance with high airflow and low restriction, leading to reduced energy consumption and airflow restrictions. For data centers, this increased efficiency could generate significant energy cost savings

Prolonging the lifespan of your K&N Global Filtration washable and reusable industrial air filters through proper care and maintenance can result in the most cost savings. Use these five tips to get the most out of our washable, reusable industrial air filters:

Easy clean-up. Simply remove the filter and rinse it from the back, directing water flow from the clean side of the filter toward the dirty side of the filter. Allow filter to dry and then reinstall. It’s that easy.

Use cold water. K&N Engineering air filters should be washed with cold water, which means no costs to heat the water.

Lower the pressure. With no pressure washing or high-pressure nozzles required, the utilization of normal water pressure (not to exceed 100psi) uses less water (and energy usage) and equates to cost savings.

Don’t use chemicals. Our reusable and washable filters do not require any cleaning solutions or solvents, saving you supply costs

Wash every two to four years. Washing your K&N Engineering air filters every two to four years, depending on the environment will prolong the life of your filters and save on replacement costs and landfill space.

K&N Global Filtration has a long history of superior performance and sustainability and our eco-friendly, reusable and washable industrial and data center air filters save money, energy, labor and supply costs over traditional disposable air filters…all while benefiting Mother Earth.

It is crucial to prioritize eco-friendly practices to promote sustainability in the digital infrastructure space such as industrial air filters. This is especially so as energy consumption by data centers is projected to increase due to the growing demand for digital services, AI, IoT devices, and applications requiring high-performance computing.

One aspect often overlooked in the sustainability conversation is the air filtration system used in the data center. However, selecting the appropriate air filter can significantly contribute to furthering environmental goals.

At K&N Global Filtration, our Industrial Group was formed because we believe your data center air filters should not only meet performance requirements but also check off all the sustainability boxes. Do your filters have these benefits?

Energy efficient
The energy consumption of your air filtration system can have a marked impact on the overall sustainability of your facility. A system that consumes more energy will result in higher operating costs and a larger carbon footprint. Choosing an air filter that is energy efficient can help reduce these environmental impacts – and save money in the long run.

At K&N Engineering, we offer air filters with high-efficiency MERV ratings that help to achieve your energy-saving goals. Our industrial air filters are designed to maintain superior performance over time, requiring less energy to operate.

Durable and long lasting
When evaluating the sustainability of your data center air filters, the durability of the filters themselves is a crucial factor to consider. Disposable filters, which are meant to be replaced frequently, are often made from low-quality materials like cardboard and paper that do not hold up well under harsh operating conditions. This can result in the filter breaking down quickly and needing to be replaced more frequently, generating more waste and consuming more resources.

In contrast, our industrial air filters are designed to last for years, even in harsh operating environments. We use high-quality materials that can withstand extreme conditions of the data center without losing their effectiveness. This ensures that our filters provide reliable and consistent performance over the long term, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing waste.

Our industrial filters offer a significantly longer lifecycle compared to single-use filters that are designed to last, at most, one year. This extended lifespan reduces the frequency of filter replacements, saving time and money, and reduces the environmental impact associated with the manufacturing, transportation, and disposal of filters.

Washable and reusable
At K&N Global Filtration, we’re committed to sustainability. A filter that can be washed and reused instead of discarded after a single use will not only generate less waste but can also translate into cost savings for you.

Reusable air filters help to reduce the amount of waste generated by data centers and other industrial applications. Instead of being discarded after a single use, our filters can be washed and reused multiple times. In addition to benefiting Mother Earth, fewer materials purchased over time, fewer labor hours spent removing, cleaning and re-installing new filters and reduced transportation costs to dispose of end-of-life filters can add up to significant cost savings.

Frequent replacements can also be time-consuming and disruptive to operations. Our washable and reusable filters can be easily cleaned and re-installed, minimizing downtime and ensuring that your equipment remains in optimal condition.

Packed with care
We recognize the environmental impact of packaging waste and strive to minimize it through sustainable practices. One of the ways we reduce packaging waste is by using minimal and eco-friendly packaging materials. Our industrial air filters are typically packaged in simple, compact boxes that use recycled materials whenever possible. We use reusable packaging options, such as returnable containers, which can help reduce waste and cost for our customers.

Customizable
We understand that every industrial application is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why our customizable air filters can be tailored to meet your facility’s specific needs. Customizable filters offer greater flexibility in terms of filter media options. Different filter media can be selected based on specific needs and requirements, such as higher filtration efficiency or reduced pressure drop, which can lead to energy savings. This customization can result in a more efficient system overall, reducing energy consumption and ultimately reducing the environmental impact.

Ready to learn more about how you can make a difference in your data center with our industrial air filters? Visit knglobalfiltration.com or email us at [email protected].

Exploring the Significant Impact of Air Filtration Systems Across Every Part of the Data Center

In the complex ecosystem of data centers, air filtration systems are emerging as a fundamental component, pivotal to maintaining operational efficiency and reliability. This essential system often reduced to a line item on a budget sheet, plays a key role in safeguarding data centers from a myriad of airborne contaminants that can significantly impair equipment performance and longevity. Let’s explore the significant impact of air filtration systems across various sections of a data center, highlighting its indispensability in ensuring seamless operations.

1. High upon the Rooftop

Perched atop the data center, rooftop air handling units are a critical component of building cooling systems and serve as the front line in the battle against external pollutants. Here, air filtration systems stand guard, filtering out a barrage of contaminants before they infiltrate the building. The filters in these RTU systems are the first line of defense, ensuring that cooling mechanisms breathe in purity and exhale efficiency.

The stakes are high; a study by the Uptime Institute revealed that implementing efficient air filtration systems can lead to increased energy savings, significantly impacting operational costs. Additionally, by removing dust and impurities, these systems contribute to a 5-10% improvement in Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), further translating into reduced energy consumption and environmental impact. It’s a double whammy of cost savings and sustainability.

2. Inside the Office Space

But the impact goes beyond compliance. A study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory underscores this connection. They found that improved indoor air quality led to an increase in worker productivity, which for a company with 1,000 employees translates to an annual benefit of over $500,000. Additionally, it resulted in a reduction in employee sick leave, further contributing to cost savings and improved morale.

3. The Data Vault

Within the core of the data center, amidst the silicon and circuits, the air holds a silent sway over destiny. The data vault demands an air quality that brooks no compromise. Here, minuscule microns wield the power to disrupt and degrade, posing threats to data integrity. A single dust particle smaller than 3 microns, smaller than the width of a human hair, can cause permanent damage to sensitive server components, leading to data loss and hardware failure.

This reality demonstrates the critical role of rigorous air filters within the walls of the data hall. It’s not an option, but a requirement to protect and preserve, necessitating relentless vigilance and regular maintenance of filters to ensure complete protection.

4. The Electrical and Power Room

The electrical room, the pulse of a data center, thrives on the purity of its surroundings. Like the data vault, seemingly innocuous particulate matter can precipitate chaos within the intricate web of power systems. Data center outages can cost thousands of dollars per minute. As Ponemon found, a single unplanned data center outage can cost an average of $7,900 per minute, a stark reminder of the economic imperative to maintain clean air zones around critical power infrastructure.

This statistic resonates beyond the data center walls, reflecting the broader vulnerability of modern society to power disruptions. From hospitals relying on life-saving equipment to financial institutions processing critical transactions, clean air ensures the smooth flow of electricity that underpins our connected society. Through meticulous air filtration, data center operators can avert the specters of overheating and failure, safeguarding the intricate web of connections that power operations.

5. Modular Data Centers

Here, the air itself presents a formidable foe, teeming with dust, sand, and other environmental nasties that threaten the delicate dance of computing power. Unlike their urban counterparts, these outposts cannot rely on frequent filter replacements or readily available technicians. The air filtration systems guarding these digital outposts must be more than just adaptable; they need to be tenacious and enduring.

Imagine a desert sun beating down, its relentless heat warping the air. Or picture a windswept mountain peak, blasting the system with chilling winds and airborne debris. This is the harsh reality for edge data center air filtration. Yet, through innovative technologies like self-regulating filters and remote monitoring systems, these unsung heroes rise to the challenge. They not only neutralize contaminants but also maintain optimal airflow, ensuring efficient cooling even in the face of adversity. Studies by the Uptime Institute reveal that improper air filtration can contribute to higher energy consumption in data centers. In remote locations, where every watt counts, this inefficiency becomes a critical concern. By delivering both superior filtration and exceptional energy efficiency, long-lasting air filters ensure reliable computing power without sacrificing sustainability.

How can K&N Make a Difference For Your Air Filtration Systems?

K&N Global Filtration is transforming the data center landscape with cutting-edge industrial air filtration solutions, setting a new standard for operational efficiency and sustainability. Unlike conventional single-use filters that contribute to environmental waste, K&N has offers The Original Red Washable, Reusable Filter™, a new approach with washable and reusable industrial air filters, designed to last years.

K&N’s air filtration systems technology, engineered for optimal airflow and minimal restriction, reduces energy consumption at the fan level in data centers. This leads to significant energy savings and a swift ROI by reducing the frequency of filter replacements, lowering operational costs, and minimizing the carbon footprint—all leaps toward sustainable data center management. With a variety of sizes and MERV ratings that adhere to UL 900, ULC S111, ASHRAE 52.2, and ISO 16890 standards, K&N caters to diverse data center needs. K&N’s sustainable air filtration solutions also represent a commitment to environmental stewardship and operational excellence. By drastically reducing waste and enhancing energy efficiency, K&N empowers data centers to operate more sustainably, without sacrificing performance. This commitment to innovation and sustainability positions K&N as a leader in air filtration, driving the data center industry toward a greener future. The story of commercial air filtration unfolds as a testament to its critical role, surpassing its deceptive simplicity as a budgetary footnote to become a cornerstone of efficiency, sustainability, and reliability.

Contact us today and see if our sustainable air filtration solutions can help defend your Data Center air and your Data Center bottom line.  

Industrial group will contribute expertise in energy-efficient air filtration and air management solutions to several iMasons’ committees

Riverside, CA – May 9, 2023 —  In a move that reinforces its commitment to building sustainable digital infrastructure, K&N Global Filtration has joined forces with Infrastructure Masons (iMasons), the global non-profit association of digital infrastructure professionals. As a leading manufacturer of high-performance, sustainable air filtration solutions for providers of mission-critical infrastructure, K&N Global Filtration is uniquely positioned to contribute to iMasons’ efforts to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and the path toward net zero in the data center industry.

K&N Global Filtration has long been committed to sustainability, born out of an unwavering commitment to zero waste and exceptional performance more than fifty years ago. K&N Global Filtration’s first-of-its-kind, high-performance, reusable industrial air filters not only provide outstanding performance with high airflow and low restriction, but they also help data centers and other mission-critical facilities achieve their sustainability goals by reducing energy consumption through filtration efficiency.

“As the world increasingly relies on digital infrastructure, it’s essential that we prioritize sustainability in our industry,” said Jonathan Fiello, Chief Engineering Officer of K&N Global Filtration. “Joining iMasons allows us to collaborate with like-minded professionals to develop sustainable solutions that benefit both our customers and the planet.”

In addition to joining iMasons, K&N Engineering has also pledged membership to the iMasons Climate Accord, a global initiative to reduce carbon emissions from the digital infrastructure industry. As a member of the Climate Accord, K&N Global Filtration will join other industry leaders in committing to a set of ambitious goals, including reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. K&N Engineering also plans to take part in several iMasons’ committees including Sustainability, Innovation, Inclusion and Technology, as well as participate in local chapter groups.

“I’m proud to welcome K&N Engineering to the iMasons community,” said Dean Nelson, Founder and Chairman of Infrastructure Masons. “Applying their half a century of automotive industry expertise to digital infrastructure will help boost the iMasons Climate Accord efforts.”

K&N Engineering has implemented a variety of sustainability initiatives, including shipping its air filters in corrugate-free, reusable, returnable crates, which are manufactured from partially recycled materials. By joining iMasons, K&N brings its expertise and commitment to sustainability to a network of industry experts and thought leaders who are dedicated to advancing sustainable and efficient digital infrastructure.

To learn more about K&N Global Filtration, visit knglobalfiltration.com or email at [email protected].