CHILLED BEAMS & FAN COILS
Ticking all the right specification boxes
Tom Wodcke, product manager at Diffusion, discusses why fan coil units tick all the right boxes for specifiers and looks at trends affecting the market.
F
an coil units are one of the most popular types of air conditioning, offering effective comfort cooling, and heating, with low running and capital costs, they have been a stable specification item for acr contractors, HVAC contractors and consultants for decades. However, although today fan coils are essentially the same familiar product that reliably conditions air, the built environment has changed over the last decade so fan coils have adapted to these changes.
Residential The trend for high rise, high quality, central city dwelling has provided a significant growth area for fan coil units over the last ten years with fan coils being the preferred solution for providing comfort cooling, within this high-end residential sector. In residential properties architects are looking to make most efficient use of space and provide clean lines, making fan coils the ideal choice. Locating fan coils behind both plastered ceilings, and within walls, often results in there being minimal access to the fan coil for essential maintenance, let alone major component replacement; unlike traditional commercial applications where the product can be fully accessed by removal of ceiling tiles. As a result, at the design stage of the fan coil it is essential when selecting components that these offer the greatest longevity and reliability, requiring minimal or no maintenance.
Comfort cooling Another trend which has affected air conditioning is the obligation to achieve improved building energy efficiency, within building constructions where we see a significant increase in the application of exterior glazing. Often resulting in increased solar gains it is essential the higher cooling loads are dealt with in the most energy efficient way; using the latest high efficiency motors fan coils provide the optimum solution to this scenario. Fan coil units offer effective comfort cooling; when coupled with the latest controls they provide excellent temperature stability within the area served. Particularly popular with specifiers, fan coils still provide the best performance for their footprint, and offer future flexibility for changes in office layout, where partitioning maybe
18 February 2022 •
www.acr-news.com
installed / removed as the use of the space changes. Compared to DX systems, fan coil units offer more comfortable leaving air temperatures allowing for better air distribution, minimizing the effect of cold air dumping and drafts. Fan coils also offer better thermal control than DX 'Split' air conditioning, and typically are quieter.
Energy efficiency On the energy front during the last decade fan coil technology has undergone significant advancements to meet the stringent energy efficiency regulations. With the ErP Directive (Energy-related Products Directive) being introduced stipulating minimum efficiency requirements, motor driven fans above 125W, such as those typically used in fan coils, have been subject to these regulations. Fan coil manufacturers must therefore ensure their chosen motor and fan combinations meet or exceed these requirements and offer the optimum energy efficiency. For example, at Diffusion our Highline 270ec range “ECO 270” incorporates the latest ec/dc motor technology, offering energy savings of up to 25%. Specific Fan Power levels of 0.15 W/l/s are achievable on standard fan coil selections without the need to over size units.
Noise levels The noise levels from mechanical services have always been a significant specification consideration. However, during the last ten years occupants have become even more aware of noise and the desire for occupant comfort has increased. Modern buildings have a multitude of complex needs; they must be fit for purpose while providing a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. Plus, the rise in specification of fan coil units in residential applications has further increased the need for fan coils to be quieter, especially when serving acoustically sensitive areas such as bedrooms. This places demands on the accuracy of all fan coil performance data, most stringently the acoustic data. Although other design drivers may be considered first when specifying cooling, acoustics is one of the main factors requiring serious consideration in a fan coil installation. Success or failure of the design will be determined by the final noise levels achieved in the space, and this can often be overlooked.
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