If you own an air-cleaner, car, hot tub, vacuum cleaner, or anything that needs a filter, you know the frustration of constantly having to clean filters. This is especially the case if you live in an area with higher levels of dust and pollutants. Imagine living in China today with its air pollution problems. The sale of office and residential air cleaners in China have hit an all time high. Air filters are being pushed to the limit on a daily basis and if you’re not on top of how fast your filters can load up with dust and debris, these appliances are destine to fail faster than you think.
Of course, you also know, at some point filter will need to be cleaned or replaced. In some cases the cost of replacing filters can become a vicious circle, especially if you rely on bargain or poorly made aftermarket filters.
APC has an appliance client with this very problem. Our client’s customer had to change out their HEPA air cleaner filters every 3 months. This was costly maintenance issue for the end user and presented a challenge to the appliance manufacturer. APC recognized that with simple customization they could increase the quality of the filters and provide longer filter life. As it turned out customer complaints were dramatically reduced and end users saved a bunch of money because APC’s redesign made filters last longer and work more efficiently.
Clients, like our friend above, make for great stories, but they are not the true focus of this blog. The real focus is on the companies that manufacture appliances and the cost to us as end users of their products. At APC, we hear a new story every day about how a certain piece of equipment has problems with poorly fitted and/or designed filters. You can make the world’s greatest appliance or equipment, but without a properly designed filter, end users will blame the manufacturer for selling a piece of junk. And when they start down that road, you will find it next to impossible to change their minds. It can take years to develop a brand and a loyal client base but seconds to loose a customer. Before you design your next product, just remember to put filter design at the top of your list—it will save you money and time, and it will guarantee a higher level of customer satisfaction.
