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What is a fan coil unit?

Contents:

  • What is a fan coil unit?
  • Types of fan coil units. 
  • Advantages of fan coil units.
  • Choosing a fan coil unit.
  • Why a fan coil unit is the best option for cooling / air conditioning?
  • What is better, a chiller or a heat pump?
  • Conclusions.
     

The use of innovative technology in the HVAC market allows improving the level of comfort in both private houses and office spaces, 
 while ensuring high efficiency and reducing the operating costs of heating and cooling / air conditioning systems.

 

A fan coil unit is high-efficiency equipment controlling the indoor temperature to provide either cooling or heating. 
A fan coil unit generates cold and heat using either:

 

A fan coil unit can be controlled in the following ways:

 

  • Using the integrated fan coil unit automatics.
  • Controlling the fan coil unit via a wall-mounted control or an infrared control.
  • Controlling the fan coil unit remotely via Wi-Fi or Modbus.
     
The types of fan coil units are as follows:

 

Cassette-type fan coil units 

 

Cassette-type fan coil units are mostly used in industrial and administrative buildings.
These models are usually installed into a suspended ceiling. An important advantage is that the unit is concealed under the ceiling except for the escutcheon which serves as a decoration and makes the indoor unit of the cassette-type fan coil unit look attractive. The four-way air distribution system along with a wide louvre opening angle ensures uniform air distribution throughout the room.

 

 

Ductable fan coil units 

 

Just as cassette-type units, ductable fan coil units are in high demand. 

They are usually installed in residential, industrial, and administrative buildings. The concealed installation ensures attractive appearance and uniform air distribution via air ducts.

 

 

 

Wall-mounted fan coil units 


Wall-mounted fan coil units are the most popular ones. 
They have a number of advantages, such as affordable price, adjustable temperature conditions that can be controlled using a remote control, and wide selection of styling designs to fit into any interior.

 



Floor-mounted fan coil units 

 

Floor-mounted fan coil units are usually installed under a window to limit the heat loss in winter and avoid overheating in summer.
They perform very well in combination with a heat pump.

 

 

 

Versatile fan coil units 

 

These can be installed either on the floor (instead of radiators) or under the ceiling. They are notable for their attractive appearance and low-noise operation.

 

 


 

Advantages of fan coil units:
  1. Temperature control: a fan coil unit are equipped with a controller that allows setting the air temperature in individual zones to achieve the optimum level of comfort.
  2. Uniform air heating or cooling: the equipment ensures uniform distribution of the treated air throughout the room to avoid sharp temperature fluctuations.
  3. Cost-effectiveness: a fan coil unit can operate to provide both heating and cooling, which saves significant costs, eliminating the need for installation of a separate heating system.
  4. Integration with a smart home.
  5. Eco-friendliness. Non-hazardous coolant.
  6. Maximum utilization of the useful space.
  7. Low-noise fan coil unit models.


 

Choosing a fan coil unit

In order to choose a fan coil unit effectively, answer two key questions:

  • Which technical specifications are mandatory for the fan coil unit, and what are the intended conditions and installation method?
  • The specifications determine how efficient and proper will be operation of the entire heating and air conditioning system.
     

When choosing a fan coil unit, consider the following:

  1. When determining the fan coil unit capacity, consider the specific requirements to the heating and air conditioning system used in the room.
  2. It is essential to check the water temperature parameters in order to determine whether it is necessary to adjust the fan coil unit capacity.
  3. Dimensions and purpose of the room (bedroom, children’s room, office, or a commercial room) affect the choice and capacity of the fan coil unit.
  4. Look for extra features such as availability of different modes and convenience of use to ensure the optimum efficiency of the system.
     
Why a fan coil unit is the best option for cooling / air conditioning?

A fan coil unit operates using a coolant fluid. The coolant temperature can be adjusted according to the needs, i.e. for cooling or heating.


Choosing a fan coil unit for cooling and air conditioning has a number of advantages to be considered:

  • Water temperature in the heat exchanger is higher that freon temperature, which makes this method of control more smooth. 
  • The same applies to a fan coil unit used for heating as a replacement of an air conditioner, as the water circulating in the fan coil unit makes the air less dry compared to freon-based heating.
  • One of the most efficient fan coil unit-based cooling or heating systems is a system using an air-to-water heat pump as the source of heat or cold.
What is better, a chiller or a heat pump?

When combining fan coil units with either a chiller or a heat pump, consider the purpose and the specific requirements of the building.
1.    A fan coil unit combined with a chiller is more suitable for industrial and administrative buildings:

  • Localized cooling: With fan coil units, you can cool specific areas without having to cool the entire room. This is especially important in offices or commercial buildings with many individual rooms.
  • Flexible control: Fan coil unit + chiller systems allow flexible temperature control in every zone. You can precisely set and maintain temperature parameters in different parts of the building based on the user needs.

2.    A heat pump is more suitable for residential spaces:

  • High heating efficiency: Heat pumps are efficient when it comes to space heating and domestic hot water production.
  • Energy saving: Heat pumps can efficiently extract heat even from low-temperature ambient air or soil.
     
Conclusions:

 Both a fan coil unit combined with a chiller and a heat pump have their own advantages and specific features depending on the type and functional requirements of the building. 
For residential rooms, a heat pump can ensure efficient heating and cooling of the building along with domestic hot water production as necessary. 


On the other hand, a fan coil unit combined with a chiller is more beneficial for industrial and administrative buildings, ensuring more convenient and comfortable operation with exceptionally efficient performance of the cooling system.

 

Today, Mycond offers a wide range of various types of fan coil units and innovative heat pumps for all types of buildings.

 

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