Source: FILCOM (AI-generated)
Autumn Is Filter-Replacement Season
Summer puts more strain on your systems than any other season: higher intake temperatures, increased humidity, and greater amounts of pollen and dust. This burden is now trapped within your filter elements. By inspecting, replacing, and reordering filters during October and November, you ensure that your processing systems are clean as you head into the heating season—and you’ll have the necessary spare parts on hand before the year-end rush of company holidays and inventory audits.
In this article, we look at what you should check now regarding compressed air filters, air conditioning, and ventilation systems, and how to effectively manage your filter inventory.
Compressed Air Filters: The Legacy of Summer
Warm air carries significantly more moisture: at 20 °C, saturated air contains approximately 17.3 g/m³, while at 35 °C, it holds about 39.6 g/m³. During the treatment process, this moisture condenses, placing a heavy load on filters, refrigerated dryers, and condensate drains. Added to this is the dust drawn in from the ambient air.
The result is an increase in the differential pressure across the filter elements. For every tenth of a bar of pressure drop caused by a clogged filter, the compressor must work harder—a cost that shows up directly on your electricity bill. Furthermore, a spent filter element can no longer reliably capture oil aerosols and particles, posing a risk to your tools, valves, and final products.
Check now:
- Filter elements in compressed air filters: Read the differential pressure indicator and verify the replacement interval according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Activated carbon elements in activated carbon adsorbers: Service life depends heavily on oil intake and temperature—check sooner following a hot summer.
- Refrigerant dryers: Clean the condenser and check the pressure dew point.
- Condensate drains (such as the BEKOMAT): Test functionality and keep service kits on hand.
- Compressor intake filters: Perform a visual inspection and replace if necessary.
As an authorized KAESER dealer in Baden-Württemberg, we supply original filter elements and can also perform on-site maintenance for you upon request!
Get in touch now to schedule a maintenance appointment!
HVAC Systems: Time for a Seasonal Switch-over
Over the summer, outdoor air filters in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems accumulate pollen, fine dust, and insects. As the heating season begins, the system’s operation shifts: heat recovery and heating coils take over, while cooling functions are deactivated. This is the ideal time for a filter change and inspection.
Dirty filters increase pressure drop, forcing fans to work harder and reducing the volume of airflow. Furthermore, filters that have become damp during the transitional season can pose hygiene risks. The VDI 6022 standard outlines hygiene requirements for the operation of HVAC systems; please check your inspection intervals against your maintenance schedule.
Order now and have them ready—available in various filter classes according to ISO 16890 (Coarse, ePM10, ePM2.5, ePM1) and in the specific dimensions (width × height × depth in mm) required for your system:
- Bag filters (pocket filters): for supply and exhaust air: feature a large filter surface area provided by multiple pockets—ensure you select the correct number of pockets and pocket depth.ür Zu- und Abluft: große Filterfläche durch mehrere Taschen, auf Taschenanzahl und Taschentiefe achten
- Compact filters: consist of pleated media within a rigid, dimensionally stable frame; suitable for fine filtration stages where installation depth is limited.
- Panel filter: feature a flat design, ideal for filtration stages with minimal installation depth.
For each system, note the filter class, dimensions, and the quantity required per replacement. This allows you to consolidate your seasonal requirements into a single order. You can find our full product range in our shop.
View the entire product range in the shop!
Hydraulic and Lubricating Oil Filtration in Machine Tools
In the hydraulic power units and lubricating oil circuits of machine tools, filter elements inevitably become clogged over time. If an element is overdue for replacement, the bypass valve will open, allowing unfiltered oil to reach pumps, valves, and bearings. Many companies take advantage of year-end or holiday-period shutdowns to perform maintenance—now is the time to order the necessary filter elements.
Points to consider when replacing filter elements:
- Interpret the contamination indicator correctly: Only assess the indicator when the system is at operating temperature. Cold oil is more viscous and can create a false reading of a higher differential pressure.
- Ensure the correct specifications: The filtration rating (in µm), filter material (e.g., glass fiber, cellulose, wire mesh), and seal material (e.g., NBR, FKM) must be compatible with the fluid used and the required oil cleanliness level.
- Work cleanly: Depressurize the filter housing, clean the filter head, and replace the seals. Do not attempt to clean (by blowing out) or reuse single-use (disposable) filter elements.
- Check after replacement: Bleed the system, inspect the housing for leaks, and reset the contamination indicator.
The replacement process is most efficient when the correct elements have been identified and are readily available beforehand.
If you have only the part number of the currently installed element, you can use our FilterCompass or our range of alternative filter element .to find a compatible replacement.
In scenarios where machinery cannot be shut down, duplex filters allow for element replacement during ongoing operation.
Our shop offers over 6,900 hydraulic filter elements from brands including Filtration Group, Hengst, FILTREC, and Parker - among them, standard elements compliant with DIN 24550. You can learn more about our solutions for machine tools and lubricating oil filtration on our dedicated industry pages.
Plan your filter inventory instead of scrambling during a breakdown
In the worst-case scenario, a missing filter element can bring an entire production line to a standstill. Conversely, maintaining a small, planned inventory comes at a minimal cost. Autumn is the ideal time for an inventory audit, as you already have data on the year’s consumption and can still utilize your remaining budget for the current fiscal year.
Step | Action required |
|---|---|
1. Equipment list | Document all filter housings, dryers, and HVAC/air handling units, including their type and location. |
2. Assign elements | Record the part number—or the filter class and dimensions—for each housing. |
3. Determine consumption | Analyze replacement activity over the past 12 months. |
4. Establish minimum stock levels | Keep at least one complete set of replacement elements on hand for every critical piece of equipment. |
5. Consolidate and order | Combine requirements for autumn maintenance and reserve stock into a single order. |
Towards the end of the year, many customers, manufacturers, and freight carriers observe company holidays. Placing your order now provides a necessary buffer. We would be happy to provide specific delivery dates upon request.
YOUR CHECKLIST
- Differential pressure checked on all compressed air filters
- Activated carbon and fine filter elements inspected following summer operation
- Refrigerant dryer condensers cleaned; pressure dew point checked
- Condensate drains tested
- Outdoor and supply air filters for HVAC/air handling units inspected or replaced
- Minimum stock of filter elements maintained for all critical systems
- Maintenance appointment scheduled before the end of the year
Our On-Site Service
Upon request, we can create an equipment list for you on-site, documenting all filtration components within your systems. This allows you to quickly and reliably determine when a replacement is due, making it easy to order the correct filter elements without any time-consuming searching.
The team at FILCOM GmbH will visit your facility to provide expert advice directly at your equipment. Our service technicians support compressed air systems throughout the greater Stuttgart area. Please contact us if you would like to have an equipment list created or to schedule a maintenance appointment.