Aerotech Fans
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Aerotech Fans
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Technical answers to common questions about air handling units.
A fire damper is a passive fire protection device installed where AHU ductwork passes through fire-rated walls. If duct temperatures exceed a critical limit (usually 72°C or 165°F), a fusible link melts, snapping the damper shut to prevent fire from spreading through the HVAC system.
A G4 filter is a pleated, primary coarse filter used at the intake of an AHU. It captures large particulate matter (like dust, pollen, and insects) with 90% arrestance, acting as a sacrificial shield to protect the expensive secondary F7 fine filters and the chilled water coils.
Yes, modern industrial AHUs feature onboard PLCs equipped with native BACnet/IP or Modbus RTU communication protocols. This allows the central Building Management System (BMS) to remotely monitor chilled water valve positions, VFD frequencies, and filter differential pressures in real-time.
In extreme climates where cooling 100% hot outdoor air requires massive chiller tonnage, an enthalpy heat recovery wheel typically recovers 60-80% of the energy. This aggressive reduction in the required cooling load usually results in an ROI (payback period) of 12 to 18 months.
For luxury hotels and hospital wards, the Fan Coil Unit (FCU) must not exceed a Noise Criteria (NC) rating of NC-30 to NC-35 at maximum RPM. Achieving this requires internally lined acoustic foam chassis, vibration-isolated mounting brackets, and electronically commutated (EC) motors.
Yes, retrofitting standard AC motors with Electronically Commutated (EC) plug fans in an Air Handling Unit (AHU) is one of the fastest ways to improve HVAC energy efficiency. EC motors can reduce AHU brake horsepower consumption by up to 50% during partial load conditions.
Cleanrooms classified as ISO 5 (Class 100) or cleaner strictly require terminal HEPA or ULPA filtration mounted directly in the ceiling grid. Centralized HEPA filters in the AHU are insufficient for these classes due to the risk of particulate shedding within the downstream ductwork.
Opposed Blade Dampers (OBD) feature adjacent blades that rotate in opposite directions. Unlike parallel blade dampers which throw air to one side of the duct, OBDs maintain a straight, laminar airflow profile even when partially closed, making them mandatory for precise volumetric balancing in AHUs.
In sub-zero climates, drawing 100% outside air can instantly freeze and burst hydronic cooling coils. FAUs require a pre-heat coil (electric or hot water) installed upstream, or the chilled water system must be dosed with a precise concentration of Propylene Glycol to lower the fluid's freezing point.
A Barometric Relief Damper is a gravity-operated pressure valve used in tightly sealed buildings. When the HVAC system brings in high volumes of fresh outside air, internal pressure rises. The barometric damper automatically swings open to relieve this excess static pressure, preventing doors from becoming stuck.
Dual enthalpy sensors measure both the temperature and humidity of the outside air versus the return air. When the outside air is cooler and drier than the indoor air, the BMS opens the outside air dampers to 100%, providing 'free cooling' and completely shutting down the mechanical chillers.
Double-skin Air Handling Units utilize Polyurethane Foam (PUF) injected between two galvanized steel sheets. While primarily designed to prevent thermal bridging, the dense PUF core acts as a massive acoustic dampener, significantly reducing the breakout noise from the high-static centrifugal blowers inside.
