Filtersmarts Products

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Filtersmarts is an optical sensor system for HVAC dust filters. Filtersmarts provides a positive indication when an air filter is sufficiently clogged that it should be replaced. The sensor illuminates a portion of the dust filter and monitors the light transmitted through the filter.

An initial light transmission measurement is recorded by Filtersmarts. Subsequent measurements are compared with the initial measurement, and an alarm is activated after a preset threshold is exceeded.

This optical clogging threshold is factory set, but can be adjusted.

Filtersmarts operates independently of the HVAC blower speed.

Graphic plots are shown of sensors tested under actual operating conditions. Redstone Arsenal housing, Huntsville, AL, Beacon Property Management, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, G. W. Jones & Sons Properties, Huntsville, AL, and others currently use these sensors.

The sensor is manufactured in the US.

How it Works:
Filtersmarts is a heating and air-conditioning dust filter sensor. Filtersmarts indicates when an air filter should be replaced.

In this illustration, Filtersmarts shines a (red) light beam through a HVAC dust filter and receives the light that passes through the filter. An initial light measurement is made after inserting a clean filter and resetting the sensor. Later measurements are compared with the initial measurement. The alarm indicates when the measured light drops below a predetermined point.

After two failed measurements occur, the "change filter soon" alarm flashes. In operation, the red measurement light flashes on for a few seconds and off for ~10 seconds.

Filter Installation:

Click here to view an installation video

1. Install filter with the sensor red light beam shining through the filter (and across the pleats if using a pleated filter).
2. Depress Filtersmarts reset switch. In some air-conditioning systems, power to the unit is turned-off when you remove a panel to access the filter. For these systems, carefully depress the "kill" switch to re-power the unit (and also power Filtersmarts) before pressing the reset switch.

Operation:
Once a clean filter is installed, pressing the reset switch starts the unit. This reset action forces Filtersmarts to store the initial measurement of the clean filter. After pressing the switch, a 30 second delay occurs. Three slow flashes of the orange indicator signal a successful reset. If ten rapid flashes occur, the cardboard filter framing is blocking the light from the sensor. To allow an unobstructed light beam, either move the sensor along the filter bracket, or adjust the filter so that the light path is not blocked. With a successful reset, Filtersmarts is now monitoring your filter.

Users & Benefits:

• Apartment and Office Owners: Extends HVAC system lifetime. For every extra hour the compressor runs, the compressor lifetime is reduced by ~ an hour.
• Condo Owners: Extends HVAC system lifetime and reduces utility expenses.
• Apartment and High Rise Maintenance Managers: Reduces coil and blower cleaning requirements; extends maintenance cycle; decreases outages.
• Homeowner: Extends HVAC system lifetime and reduces utility expenses.