Fan Coil Unit, Ceiling, Floor and Ducted fan coil Unit

Fan coil units provide heating and cooling for buildings in various types. Technical specifications, working pressure, capacity calculation, inspection, and ideal pricing should be considered when selecting them.

Guide to selecting and reviewing fan coil unit

What is a fan coil unit? A fan coil unit is the smallest component of an air conditioning system used to transfer the temperature of chilled water from the chiller or hot water from the engine room to the ambient air. Fan coils usually have a two-pipe temperature exchanger coil for the inlet and outlet of chilled water from the chiller (in summer) and hot water from the engine room or package (in winter) and cannot cool and heat simultaneously. (Except when four-way solenoid valves are installed and a four-pipe fan coil is used). There are different types of fan coils in terms of use, installation location, and appearance, which we will describe in detail below.

Components of all types of fan coil units

The internal parts and main components of the fan coil include the cabinet, coil, motor, fan, electrical box, and distillation tray, the use and operation of each of which are explained below:

• Fan: The fan installed in the fan coil moves and directs air over the surface of the coil and into the desired environment. Different companies and manufacturers make different designs of the fans used in all types of fan coils according to parameters such as sound level and providing the required air pressure to pass over the fan coil or duct. The material of the fans can be plastic, polyamide or metal, which naturally vary in price to some extent.
• Coil: The coil or coils in the design of the fan coil system are actually a type of heat exchanger that is the place where cold or hot fluid passes. These coils are made up of several rows of copper tubes with aluminium fins and are known as (names of coils: two, three and four row) according to the amount and number of rows of copper tubes used. As three and four row coils have more copper tubes and therefore more hot water capacity, their heating and cooling capacity is higher.
• Fan motor: The electric motor or fan motor is responsible for rotating and controlling the fan speed of the unit. Electric motors are available in 2 types (three turns or four turns) and are controlled by a button or digitally.
• Filter: The filter is placed in the air inlet of the fan coil to prevent dust and foreign objects such as insects from entering the unit.
• Drip tray: The drip tray in fan coils is used to collect water droplets from distillation in the coils. It has a pipe to drain the water.
• Electric box: The fan coil's electric motor uses an electrical box for its power and operation.

Operation of the fan coil unit

One of the most important questions you may have before buying a fan coil is how it works.

The way the fan coil works is that when it is switched on, the air flow in the room is drawn into the unit by the blowing fans. This air then passes through the unit's filter and coil (or heat exchanger), which are in cooling or heating mode, and blows a stream of cold or warm air back into the room. This cycle is repeated continuously in the fan coil unit until the air in the room reaches the temperature desired by the user. An analogue or digital selector switch or thermostat mounted on the wall is used to control and regulate the room temperature.
Note that to cool the fan coils, cold water flows through the chiller in the copper pipes connected to the two units and is transferred to the coils; similarly, to heat the coils, hot water flows through the copper pipes through the central machine room or package and enters the coils. The following diagram shows the operation of the fan coil system and its internal components:

Different Types of Fan Coil Units

There are five main types of fan coil units available including; floor fan coil units, ceiling fan coil units, cassette fan coil units, wall mounted fan coil units, and ducted fan coil units. We will explain each one shortly:

Floor-mounted Fan Coil Units

Built-in floor mounted fan coil units are usually manufactured and supplied with a ventilation capacity of 200 to 1200 cubic feet per minute (CFM) that emit cool or hot air in the form of updrafts and as their name suggests, these types of fan coil units are installed in the floor.

Ceiling Fan Coil Units

Built-in ceiling fan coil units, which are divided into those without a cabin and those with a cabin, have an air capacity of 200 to 1200 cubic feet per minute (CFM) and are usually installed in the false or drop ceiling (at the entrance of the room); One of the important features of these fan coil units is their high ventilation volume, low noise and not occupying a lot of space.

Cassette Fan Coil Units

Cassette fan coil units are a type of ceiling fan coil that is installed inside the false ceiling, however controlling and adjusting their temperature or speed can be done by remote control in addition to the wall thermostat panel.

In terms of ventilation, ceiling fan coil units have one-way and four-way types, and in terms of connected pipes, they have two-pipe and four-pipe types, which provide the possibility of providing cooling and heating at the same time.

Wall-Mounted Fan Coil Units

Wall-mounted fan coil units, which have been available for some time, have attracted the attention of builders of construction projects and are installed on the wall.

Ducted Fan Coil Units

Ducted fan coil units are usually produced in capacities of 600 to 2000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) and in two types, horizontal and vertical, and it is necessary to check whether it is horizontal or vertical and the dimensions of the required ducted fan coil before inquiring about the price or placing an order.

Note: Before placing the order for the desired fan coil unit, determine whether the fan coil pipes are connected to the left or right side of the device, which is a crucial factor for these devices.

Important Factors to keep in mind when buying a Fan Coil Unit

When selecting a fan coil unit, there are numerous factors that need to be considered to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. One of the primary factors to consider is the type of fan coil unit needed for the specific application. Additionally, the cooling and air delivery capacity of the unit should be evaluated to ensure it meets the required specifications. The size of the unit, coil, fan, and body of the unit must also be evaluated to ensure quality and efficiency.

Appearance may also be a consideration, particularly in high-end hospitality and office spaces, where the unit's aesthetics can impact the overall ambiance. Finally, mobility may be a factor for some applications, as changes in water supply temperature can impact cooling capacity, requiring the unit to be moved to a different location. Read on if you need more info about these factors, otherwise, you can skip this part:

Type of the Fan Coil Unit

As we mentioned, fan coil units have different types, such as ground fan coil, facing, inclined, built-in ceiling fan coil, four-sided and two-sided ceiling fan coil, wall fan coil (such as split panel), ducted fan coil, etc., are selected-based on your needs. You can also use our experts' advice to ensure that the device you get suits your place perfectly.

The capacity of the Fan Coil Unit

The most important factor in choosing a fan coil unit is the suitability of its cooling and heating capacity. When calculating the capacity of the fan coil, is determined based on the total cooling load (sensible and latent evaporation) of each space by the project facility engineers or after consulting with the experts of the air conditioning equipment department.

The following table shows how to choose the appropriate approximate capacity of the fan coil for installation in residential and office buildings in temperate climates such as Tehran, Mashhad, Karaj, Isfahan, Erbil, Kabul, Sulaymaniyah, Aleppo, Rasht, Sari, Shiraz, Kermanshah. , it shows Kirkuk, Mosul, Antalya, Mazar-e-Sharif, Latakia, Hama, etc. The capacity of the fan coil is usually displayed in terms of CFM, which indicates the volume of cubic feet of ventilation of the fan coil per minute.

The estimation of the required fan coil unit capacity for each of the sizes presented in the table below is approximate based on the temperature conditions of the design and at the maximum fan speed. In the average speed, the correction coefficient of the ventilation volume of the fan coil units compared to fast speed is about 0.8 and the correction factor for cooling and heating power at medium speed is about 0.85.

Keep in mind that you can always contact the experts of DamaTajhiz HVAC company.

The approximate estimate of the fan coil required for Tehran's weather conditions is presented in the table below.

Basically, to calculate the required fan coil unit’s capacity of each of the building spaces in "hot and dry" weather conditions such as the cities of Zahedan, Kerman, Yazd, Zabul, Medina, Karbala, Najaf, etc. or "hot and wet climate" such: Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, Abadan, Bushehr, Chabahar, Kish, Basra, Dubai, Sharjah, Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, Karachi, Jeddah, Baghdad, Riyadh, Damascus, Sana'a, Makkah, etc.
Calculating the required cooling load for each room is the main priority.

But in cold weather conditions such as the cities of Zanjan, Ardabil, Tabriz, Urmia, Bojnord, Hamedan, Qazvin, Baku, Yerevan, Astana, Dushanbe, Ankara, Tashkent, Khojend, Samarkand and even the great city of Istanbul, the priority of calculating of the capacity is mainly based on the required heating load of each room.

Size/Dimension of the Fan Coil Unit

You do not want to face the problem of your fan coil unit not fitting in the desired location, after you purchased the device, so make sure you choose wisely and always do your calculations before anything else. We emphasize again that the fan coil unit dimensions particularly in the cassette fan coil units is very important.

Note: check all dimensions again before ordering

Heating/Cooling Coils of the Fan Coil Unit

The coil is actually the passage of cold or hot fluid, which consists of several rows of copper tubes with aluminum fins.

These are what you should look for when it comes to choosing a coil: the arrangement of the pipes, the number of rows, the type of protective coating on the fins (blue fin, gold fin), the type of pipes, the number of fins per unit and their waveform.

Three rows of 3/8 inch size copper pipe is usually used in almost every type of coil, , but if a double row coil with a diameter of ½ inch is used, it can be resulted in reducing of the heating efficiency and the pressure drop of the carrier fluid flow.

It is better to use a double-coil fan coil unit if you want to have the ability of switching between hot and cold mode through day and night. Same thing goes with large buildings. So that one of the coils can be used for cold water flow and providing cooling and another coil as well) It is used to supply the flow of hot water to the boiler and provide heating. These types of fan coil units are called four-pipe fan coil units.

In other words, regular single-coil, two-pipe fan coil units have a pipe connecting to the input water and another pipe connecting to the output water.
But four-pipe fan coil units have two coils, two pipes for hot water input and output and two for cold water input and output.

By using double-coil or four-pipe fan coil units, in addition to cooling one part of a building and heating another part, you will also be able to switch between cold or hot temperatures with a single button.

Four-pipe fan coil units must be equipped with an electric valve, and according to the thermostat command, cold or hot water flows in one of the two coils.

Working Pressure of the Fan Coil Unit

Considering that in buildings taller than 20 floors, the water pressure inside the coil will be more than 8 bar or about (PSI 120), when choosing a fan coil, consider the water pressure inside of the coil for high-rise towers.

The Motor

Electric motors of the fan coil units can vary from ones with 3-speed levels all the way up to those with 8-speed levels, and they are usually made in two types; sealed or repairable. Mechanical parts and equipment of the fan coil units, such as bushes, shafts, and ball bearings, etc., are made in different qualities, which can have a great impact on the sound level and lifespan of the fan coil unit.

It is necessary for the motor of the fan coil to be multi-speed and low noise with very reliable ball bearings so that the operating noise of the electric motor and the ventilation fan is less than 35 dB.

Working Fans

What the fan does is simple, it first directs the airflow over the surface of the coil and then redirects it to the environment. The manufacturing companies of these fans have to consider some major parameters such as the sound level and the required air pressure to pass over the fan coil or channel when making these parts.

They make these parts out of either metal or compressed ABS plastic, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, according to the type of the device’s application and the type of centrifugal ventilation, make sure to select the most effective type that suits your needs the best.

Another important topic to put to the examination is that these fans are usually produced in low-pressure at 30-pascal and high-pressure at 120-pascal types (for ducted fan coil units), and the power of the fan is generated by an electric motor, which we have talked about in the previous title.

It is better for the centrifugal fan to be made out of metal to maintain a dynamic balance during long operations, which in this case it provides the required aeration volume of the fan coil more completely. However, if it is made of ABS, it will be less pricey.

Note: The usage of the ABS fans is not recommended for areas with cold winters and with the water temperature of their central heating system being around 80 degrees Celsius in winter. Because in the long term, this temperature can change the shape of the fan that is in the vicinity of the hot water which will end up with a louder sound for your device

The Body of the fan Coil Unit

The only thing that matters when it comes to fan coil units’ bodies is that it is best for them to be integrated and balanced so that it does not cause vibration and noise between different parts of the body over time.

The Appearance

The appearance of the fan coil, especially the “floor fan coil unit” can be a very important factor, due to the fact that it practically becomes one of the visible parts of your building, so it should also be fully considered when it is about selecting a fan coil unit.

Usability and Mobility of the Fan Coil Units

The start time, change of speed or shutting off the motor of the ventilation fan can be done both manually and automatically. Although the best method, especially for ceiling, wall and ceiling fan coil units, is to use a two-season, three-cycle automatic thermostat as well as the use of an electric three-way valve.

All the floor fan coil units have a manual turn-on and off switch as well as a setting switch, but installing an automatic thermostat is one way to get the best out of their performance and to optimize energy consumption. Basically, turning on and off operation and changing the speed level of the blower motor is done by a room thermostat installed at a height of 140 cm from the ground and away from the airflow of the fan coil outlet and direct sunlight.

In a complementary way, by installing a gradual two-way solenoid valve or installing a three-way motorized valve, as well as by implementing the bypass route, it is possible to adjust the flow rate of cold or hot water by using the command received from the thermostat installed in each of the spaces. The inlet to the water supply pipe of the fan coil units also accurately controlled the supply of hot air and cold air by the fan coil units.

Fan Coil Unit’s Price

The price can definitely be decisive when buying any product yes, but when it comes to buying a product like a fan coil unit, which is a device that you can use for a long time; you do not want to miss some very important features just to spend a few less bucks. Features such as lifespan of the device, sound level, efficiency, capacity, appearance, warranty and after-sales service is also very important. Therefore, it is safe to say that the fan coil price is not the most important factor considering its application.

Note: When buying a fan coil unit it is important to pay close attention to this checklist: the type of fan coil you want to buy (regardless of the quality of the brand), the usage, architectural design of the building, parts, installation location, exact capacity, Dimension of the device, working pressure, construction quality of the device and its materials.

Which Type of Fan Coil Unit is Best for You: Floor-mounted, ceiling, ducted, or Cassette

Out of all the mentioned aspects, the first step to choose a fan coil unit should be to pay attention to the capacity, type of the device, and dimensions of the installation location. Because, fan coil units are produced and supplied in different types with different ventilation capacities, and you should consider the size of your environment before buying a fan coil unit. And this is how you choose the right device with the price. Things like the type of ventilation fan, coil specifications, working pressure, and fan coil brand should be considered after those tree aspects.

On DamaTajhiz HVAC Complex, technical information of dozens of models of fan coil units, from reliable brands with original warranty, has been presented for you to enjoy the good feeling of optimal and smart shopping.

 DamaTajhiz; The best prices and brands of construction equipment 

The price of the Floor, ceiling, Ducted, and Cassette fan coil units

As we already stated fan coil units prices vary based on capacity, technical specifications, and brand type. In order to choose and buy a fan coil more easily, you must first determine the required capacity. It should be noted that all the fan coil units presented on the site of DamaTajhiz HVAC Complex have a product ID and a competitive price, and the discounts desired by consumers have been included in almost every one of them.

Technical and Installation Factors of the Fan Coil Units

1. To calculate the cold water flow required for cooling the fan coil units, the amount of cooling capacity based on BTU/h of each of the building's spaces should be divided by 5000. (or dividing kilocalories per hour by 1250), this is how the diameter of the hot and cold water return pipes to the 200 cfm fan coil units is ½ inch. For 300 and 400 CFM fan coil units ¾ inch and for the fan 600, 800, and 1000 cfm coils are 1 inch in size, and for 1200 fan coil units and channels up to 1800, ¼ 1 inch is considered.

2. It is necessary to install a flow switch in the path of the outlet water of the evaporator towards the cold water coil of the air conditioning equipment. In order to stop the chiller when the circulator pumps of the cooling circuit are turned off.

3. Due to the greater heating ability of fan coil units than radiators of the same size, in old buildings it is possible to install a fan coil instead of a radiator (only for heating) if the relevant pipes are from the floor of the unit (not from the back wall device) have been removed.

4. Due to the importance of ventilation fan balance in the performance of fan coil units and its direct relationship with the lifespan of motor bearings as well as the noise level of the device, in order to maintain the dynamic balance of the ventilation fan of the device, compared to the completely horizontal and aligned installation of all types of fan coil units Pay utmost attention to your installation location.

5. Due to the important issue of service and maintenance in air conditioning equipment, including fan coil units, it is necessary to install the shut-off valve for the inlet and outlet water flow from the fan coil units along with the relevant tube nut.

6. In order to collect the water resulting from the distillation of air humidity on the coils in summer, it is necessary to install a ½ inch drain pipe from the tray under the coil to the place where these waters are drained.

Dear users:

Reading the stated information above in order to obtain additional information to purchase the types of ceiling, floor, wall-mounted and ducted fan coil units. You can also contact the experts of the AC equipment by dialing one of the extension numbers 117-119-120-126-317 in order to get advice or just to ask your questions.

Dear users, while thanking you for the trust you put in the technical opinions of heating equipment sales experts of DamaTajhiz, it should be noted that the choice of the desired product brand based on history, brand strength, service and product price is ultimately determined by the buyer. But in the field of fan coil units, most of the users and buyers choose and buy best-selling brands such as ventilation, Saran, DamaTajhiz, Saravel, and G Plus due to their quality, price, and after-sales service.

Also, taking into account that the Damatajhiz HVAC Complex is one a member of the main group specializing in heating equipment, as the first and the most viewed authority for selling air conditioning equipment, as well as an official member of the heating and air conditioning equipment sellers' union. Therefore it is now safe to say that we provide all kinds of fan coil units in the Middle East region. Therefore, if you are from the same country in the region and you need a fan coil unit, please place your order with our sales experts team. Product warranty and a reasonable price are included.

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