ENERGY SAVING
Fan coils that pay their way
Whole-life cost has become an essential factor when selecting air conditioning. Alexis Roberts, C&I Channel Marketing Manager at Diff usion, explains how modular fan coil units tick all the right boxes by off ering energy-effi cient, durable, fl exible solutions that have a low embodied energy and are easy to service and maintain.
I Alexis Roberts
n the UK air conditioning sector, the focus on sustainability has broadened beyond simple operational effi ciency to considering whole-life costs. This is now being refl ected in the air conditioning that is being selected by AC contractors and specifi ers for projects. End-users want systems that run effi ciently day after day, but they also want clear evidence that equipment will last, remain adaptable as a building evolves, and avoid generating unnecessary waste. As a result, there is increasing interest in air conditioning technology that combines robust performance with long-term value. Modern modular fan coils, therefore, tick all the right boxes. Fan coil units have been central to heat and cooling in commercial applications for many decades. However, the design and technology used in fan coils have signifi cantly evolved over the last 20 years. Meanwhile, today, end-users are increasingly expecting fan coil units to be energy effi cient, low noise, easy to service and have good sustainability credentials. Larger spaces such as receptions, hotel lobbies,
co-working fl oors and offi ce atriums all experience highly variable occupancy, fl uctuating thermal loads and extended operational hours, which can be challenging for AC units, making whole-life costs more important than ever. Specifi ers are therefore increasingly concerned not just with the capital costs of air conditioning, as end-users focus on lifetime electricity consumption, the frequency of maintenance visits, the longevity of key components, the diffi culty or ease of accessing parts within congested ceiling voids, and whether a system can be adapted rather than replaced when a layout changes.
Modular fan coils This is where the next generation of modular fan coil units makes a real diff erence. Manufacturers have recognised that end-users need units that perform effi ciently on day one but continue to deliver value over decades. These higher capacity units have been designed specifi cally for large-volume commercial spaces where powerful but controlled airfl ow is needed to maintain comfortable thermal conditions. Providing airfl ow up to 514l/s, these higher capacity models avoid the need to install several smaller units, allowing contractors to simplify system design and reduce the amount of equipment in congested ceiling voids, in addition to making installation faster (i.e., fewer units/wiring). Despite their increased airfl ow, this next generation of fan coils maintains low sound levels, with noise ratings as low as NR25, making them suitable for spaces that need to remain quiet and welcoming, like receptions and hotels. Operational energy consumption is still a signifi cant factor in whole-life cost, which is why modern modular fan coil units are vital. The latest modular fan coils have therefore been developed following extensive R&D to provide units that are more energy effi cient than ever before. Using our own modular Highline 275 fan coils as an example, the energy- effi cient EC motor and fan assemblies provide Specifi c Fan Powers (SFP) as low as 0.12W/l/s, reducing overall building energy consumption. In real terms, this means contractors can help end-users reduce electrical consumption year after
20 January 2026 •
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