For centralized air conditioning system, normally there are 2 types of device that discharge or blow the cooled air to the air conditioned space or room, the fan coil units (FCU) and air handling units (AHU). What the different between the fan coil unit and air handling unit? And it application? Actually at the first place, I myself also confused by it as both it are used to discharge the cooled air for the centralize air conditioning system (i.e. chilled water system or condensate water system). After do some research (through internet and my experienced senior drafter), I have better understand on it in term of application and differential. I will not talk much on those technical parts (i.e. the detail parts inside) which you can found on other source of information from internet. I listed down herewith the difference between the fan coil unit and air handling unit.
| Description
|
Air Handling Units (AHU)
|
Fan Coil Units (FCU) |
| Size | - Big size compare to FCU | - smaller size |
| Installation
Method |
- Mounted on floor, usually a room (AHU ROOM) required to be provided | - Mounted at the ceiling level, not require a room |
| Cost | - More expensive | - Cheaper compare to AHU |
| Blowing Capacity | - In term of capacity (CFM) The AHU can supply much bigger CFM compare to FCU. The blower for the AHU allow you to design at higher static head and CFM | - The CFM of the FCU is less than AHU. However, it creates less noise compare to AHU. |
| Application | - Used for the area where the ceiling space is very limited.
- For building where there is a lot of rooms and most of the time those room will be occupied (i.e office building) - In term of maintenance consideration, AHU will have less maintenance work especially for those large building as the number required is less. - Less flexibilities in term of energy saver (power consumption) as it have to run in full load each time start it, even though some of the room might not occupied by the user. |
- For the building where building space is limited
- For building where not all the time that room will be used by the user. Difference room have difference operating hours (i.e. laboratory or research facilities) - More maintenance work, as the units of FCU required for the same space is higher compare to AHU - Have more flexibility in term of energy consumption as separate room have their own FCU that can be switched off if not used. |
Things that need to be considered when selecting the suitable centralize air conditioning system either Air handling Units or Fan Coil Units shall be depending on the budget available, application of the building, space available, operation cost and the future maintenance work
