Hydroline is a machine shop that manufactures hydraulic cylinders. The company has upgraded its factory with a building automation system, which now allows it to monitor the energy consumption of its ventilation system. As a part of this process, Vado assessed the condition of the air filters, which revealed the root causes of the previous problems.

Once these issues had been resolved, Vado rectified the situation by installing new, more suitable filters.

 

“The temperatures and ventilation in certain areas of our manufacturing process must function flawlessly. If there’s any disruption there, we’ll lose production. That is an unfortunate and costly situation.”

Jukka Laakkonen, Chairman of the Board, Hydroline Oy

The Challenge

  • The wrong type of filters reduced the effectiveness of the ventilation system.
  • The choice of materials and sizing for the air filters consumed a lot of energy.
  • Moreover, the filters had a short lifecycle, and their monitoring and replacement intervals were inadequate.

The Solution

Based on the assessment, the most suitable filters were selected for each air handling unit, and the filter replacement intervals were customized to the needs of each unit.

Hydroline and its service partner, Virranta, created a set of common guidelines with Vado for filter replacement and monitoring the product lifecycle. A service schedule was also created for Hydroline, as the company had not had one previously.

To help the service team focus on what matters most, the Vado filter kits are always labeled correctly and clearly. Apart from the labels, the packaging contains no extra items that could end up in the trash. Separate arrangements are always made with Vado to specify whether the filter delivery includes, for example, intermediate seals or recycling bags. In this way, each unit-specific package contains only the necessary products.

 

“Energy accounts for 70% of a filter’s lifecycle costs, so it is essential that the assessment and sizing are done correctly.”

Tommi Moilanen, Vado

The results speak for themselves

Thanks to the new remote monitoring system for building automation, energy consumption can be tracked. The air handling units no longer run at full capacity around the clock; instead, their output can be adjusted as needed.

The building automation system also monitors the clogging of ventilation filters, allowing them to be replaced as needed. Replacing filters at the right time reduces the energy consumption and servicing requirements of air handling units.

All of this together resulted in savings of up to 30 to 40% in energy consumption for Hydroline’s ventilation systems.

The new filters not only save energy but also help protect the air handling unit itself. Any disruptions affecting ventilation and energy consumption can also be addressed quickly, preventing costly and disruptive production stoppages.

Best results with a reliable partner

Virranta, Hydroline’s service partner, provides ventilation maintenance, installation, and repair services in the Northern Savo region. Sami Virranta, the foreman at Virranta, believes that combining his professional expertise with Vado’s will allow them to offer their customers the best possible services. Virranta points out that the cheapest product on the market can end up costing many times more in the long run, whereas products that meet the customer’s needs and timely replacement intervals can offer the customer many times the value in return.

“We handle maintenance work and filter replacements at our sites, while Vado handles the survey work, which they do with unrivalled professionalism,” says Virranta.

Jukka Laakkonen from Hydroline and Sami Virranta are both very pleased with how well communication with Vado has gone. Although the practicalities, such as deliveries, are handled between Vado and Virranta, Laakkonen is also kept fully informed of the situation at all times.

 

“For me, this proactive and open approach has been a really positive and wonderful surprise, one that benefits everyone involved. We have a really great partnership with Vado.”

Jukka Laakkonen, Chairman of the Board, Hydroline Oy