Air Handling Units 101: Everything You Need to Know Posted on 27/06/202427/06/2024 by Ella Walker Air handling units (AHUs) play a central role in the overall success of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems installed across the UK. But many people are still unclear about the precise function of air handling units. In this article, we’ll run through all the essential information you need to know to help you maintain healthy ventilation across your entire indoor environment. What is an air handling unit? An AHU is crucial for good ventilation. It normally consists of a blower, heating or cooling elements, filter racks or chambers, sound attenuators, and dampers. Once installed and in operation, each AHU is tasked with one overall function: to regulate and circulate air through the building’s ductwork to create optimal conditions for everyone living or working inside in the building. The heating or cooling elements found inside a typical AHU are used to heat, cool, humidify or even dehumidify fresh, ambient air from outside. Only when the air is at the building owner’s desired state does it begin its journey through the building’s HVAC system. Why do I need an air handling unit? Across both health and comfort, AHUs offer several clear and measurable benefits. They include: • Humidity control. A good AHU can remove moisture from the air, which in turn can dramatically reduce the amount of condensation in your building. That’s essential because condensation is an often overlooked health risk. It can cause respiratory problems, or even lead to the arrival of mould and rot in your building. And if the external air is too dry, an AHU can also add an appropriate amount of moisture to deliver the ideal humidity rate. •Temperature regulation. Regardless of the outdoor temperature, a good, well-functioning AHU can deliver and maintain consistent and comfortable indoor environments. In our experience, guaranteed comfort and ventilation in indoor workplaces almost always means happier and more productive staff and guests. •Cleaner air. Outdoor air can pose two common risks. One the one hand, smog and pollution might make it unpleasant and even unsafe for humans. On the other, people who suffer from allergies often find the dust, pollen, chemicals, smoke, or waste that’s found in non-controlled air can cause serious discomfort. Regardless of whether your indoor environment is used by one person or 100, an AHU will make a noticeable difference to the purity and cleanliness of your indoor air. Is it time to update my air handling unit? As your AHU ages, there are several key indicators to watch out for. Any one of them could mean that your AHU needs servicing, repairing, or replacing. In general, you should look for: •Decreased or inconsistent performance, including rising energy use. If your energy bills suddenly start to show that you’re using more units of energy, your AHU may have stopped working at its optimum efficiency. •Regular breakdowns or unusual noises. Over time, you should get completely used to the sound of your AHU. If you start noticing unusual noises, it’s likely to be a sign that something is amiss. •Reduced indoor air quality. Pay attention to the quality of your indoor environment. If you or your colleagues begin to notice a difference in the cleanliness, temperature, or humidity of the air flowing through your HVAC system, it could be time to investigate your AHU. Ready to update your AHU? Talk to the experts at Air Vent Technology Our friendly Air Vent Technology team is always on hand to assess your situation, guide you through your options, and help you arrive at the best possible solution for your needs. Contact us today to get started. We can’t wait to hear from you!
AVT’s new investments drive 20% productivity increase Posted on 18/01/202419/01/2024 by avt_admin State-of-the-art production line and lift arm now in place at Air Vent Technology HQ. Air Vent Technology is celebrating a 20% increase in productivity and a significant improvement in team morale following the installation of a bespoke new production line and lift arm. The investment was made as part of the company’s overall strategy to support the health and safety of its employees – and the continued growth of the business. Dave Young, Operations & CI Manager at AVT, said: “This new equipment is a major step forward for Air Vent Technology. As the company’s domestic range continues to surge in popularity, it’s so exciting to know we’ll be able to consistently fulfill more orders while enhancing our safety standards. “Every member of the shopfloor staff has been impressed by the design and workings of the new production line and lifting equipment. Our day-to-day operations are now much more comfortable and I’m confident this investment will help us to continue to go from strength to strength in the coming months and years.” After a prolonged period of high demand, Air Vent Technology leaders began discussions with Aluminium Frame and Tooling Solutions and Scaglia Indeva in a bid to find the innovations needed to support a sustained uplift in productivity. A timeline and initial design concepts were agreed early in the process. Weekly meetings with both suppliers, along with regular site visits, maintained that initial momentum. Air Vent Technology’s shopfloor, finance, and R&D teams were also asked for input to ensure all aspects of the project were covered in detail. Dave Young, Operations & CI Manager at AVT, added: “I’m so proud of how all parties maintained excellent communication throughout what was undoubtedly a complex project. The process flowed from start to finish exactly as we’d hoped. I can’t thank our suppliers enough.” As well as delivering increases in productivity, the new production line and lift arm will also enable Air Vent Technology’s domestic production team to continue to work at ISO9001 standards. If you would like to get in touch with a member of the team you can email us enquiries@airventtechnology.co.uk or call us on 01264 356315.
Vertical heat recovery units: 5 benefits and incentives for your next installation Posted on 16/08/202322/08/2023 by Laura Slegg Could a vertical heat recovery unit (HRU) make your building – and the planet – a healthier, happier place to be? When it comes to making a property more energy efficient and reducing its carbon footprint, few choices will have a bigger impact than its heating and cooling system. At the same time, there is an increasing awareness of the dangers of poor air quality and the need to provide healthier indoor environments. That’s why HRUs have never been in a stronger position. Here are five environmental benefits and incentives for choosing a vertical HRU in your next retrofit or new build project. 1 Use less energy With up to 90% efficiency, our vertical heat recovery units include heat exchangers and can therefore retain up to 85% of your property’s energy. Further steps can also be taken to ensure a HRU operates at its maximum possible efficiency. Selecting a unit fitted with EC motors will enable lower energy usage than those using traditional brush motors. A top-up heater battery can also raise the temperature from the plate heat exchanger, ensuring fresh air is delivered at the correct temperature for the space. 2 Generate lower greenhouse gas emissions According to government figures, the built environment makes up 25% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. If your building currently relies on central heating or other high energy options, a vertical heat recovery unit can make a noticeable impact in your carbon footprint. HRUs provide heat without any need to use gas. To compound that benefit, the electricity needed to power a HRU can be generated from 100% clean and renewable sources. Installing a HRU is an easy way to contribute to creating a more sustainable planet and help the UK meet its target of a 68% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. 3 Enjoy increased indoor air quality Poor air quality is one of the biggest health issues facing the industrialised world and tackling dangerous levels of pollutants is a key aim of the World Health Organization, which has set a target for PM2.5 of 10 µg/m3 (WHO-10) by 2030. In indoor environments, poor air quality can contribute to both allergies and respiratory problems. But modern HRUs are equipped to handle this issue much more effectively than traditional ventilation systems. HRUs installed today contain powerful filters that remove allergens and pollutants before they have a chance to circulate in your building, thereby protecting those living and working in the property from potentially severe health consequences. They are also designed to operate with 100% fresh air, so contaminated internal air is never recirculated. 4 Access financial incentives In recent years, the UK government has used financial incentives to try to encourage the installation of vertical heat recovery units. Schemes like the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and the Green Homes Grant were powerful persuaders, convincing many to make the necessary investment. Today, those schemes are no longer active. But the government is still planning to spend the surplus budget allocated to those schemes on other green measures. Keep an eye out for local authority grants: these are expected to come increasingly to the fore. 5 Mitigate the effects of global warming Temperature extremes are part of our new reality. In the summer of 2022, the UK baked in temperatures exceeding 40°C. The following year saw July 2023 confirmed as the hottest month ever recorded. The global mean surface air temperature record was broken on four consecutive days. Thankfully, heat recovery units are dual purpose. As well as providing heat during the colder months, they can also cool a property’s air during warmer periods. This is likely to prove invaluable if further heat waves occur. It’s time to invest in vertical heat recovery units If you’re looking for a heating and cooling solution that improves air quality, minimises energy use, and creates a more sustainable environment, vertical HRUs are your best choice. View our full range of market-leading vertical HRUs today.
Air handling units: how to cut costs by up to 50% through refurbishment and repair Posted on 13/07/202322/08/2023 by Laura Slegg We’re all feeling it: the cost-of-living crisis has gone beyond our personal wallets and is now impacting businesses of all sizes across the UK. If you’re a business owner or manager, you’ll be looking to save money wherever possible – without impacting on your overall operations. But maintenance and running costs still mount up, especially with large investments like air handling units. Money saving maintenance for air handling units AVT’s refurbishment and repair services have been specifically designed to save you money and boost your environmental credentials. Instead of replacing faulty air handling units with brand new machines, the expert engineers in our Site Engineering Services (SES) department can diagnose, repair, and refurbish units that are starting to show signs of deterioration. At the end of the process, you’re left with a perfectly working unit – often at only half the expense of a brand-new system. And you’ve saved the environmental impact of scrapping an AHU that still had plenty of life in it. Here’s how it works in five simple steps: First, we come to inspect the unit and complete a comprehensive site survey. Next comes the planning. Our engineers will itemise all the necessary parts and draw up a schedule of works, giving everyone a clear understanding of what’s needed and what timetable we’re working to. Our assembly options are designed to make everything as efficient as possible. Parts will either be flat-packed or sub-assembled. With everything in place, our team can recommission your air handling unit and issue an updated technical specification. Finally, we’ll safely recycle or dispose of any old parts that were removed from your unit. AHU refurbishments and repairs Our team was recently called out to an air handling unit that had been operational for 25 years. It’s fair to say it had seen better days. But no challenge is too big for our SES team. They quickly identified the upgrades, modifications and new parts that were needed. The full programme of works included: Updating the appearance by installing smart new external panels Replacing old belt-drive AC fans with new energy-efficient EC motors Fitting a new gas burner and DX coils Installing replacement filters and a new control package We could easily do the same for you! Find out more about booking our AHU refurbishment and repair services.
How to reduce your energy bills in 2023 with good ventilation Posted on 03/02/202317/08/2023 by Ella Walker Could good ventilation be the way to lower your energy bills as the UK’s battles with the cost-of-living crisis? For many people, ventilation might not seem an obvious starting point when energy prices are sky high. But improving a building’s ventilation can significantly contribute to reducing energy bills. If you’re a residential developer, homeowner, or commercial building owner, investing in good ventilation could be a strategic and prudent choice as energy costs continue to soar. Here are three of the most effective ways to use ventilation to put more money in your pocket. Install modern heat recovery units Investing in a modern heat recovery unit has two main impacts. First, it improves the air quality and thermal comfort inside a property. But it also helps to reduce your overall energy costs, because fitting a system with a heat exchanger can mean up to 85% of your property’s energy is retained. The heat exchanger acts as a highly efficient way to maintain internal temperatures. As stale air leaves your building, the heat exchanger captures the warmth from that outgoing air. It then transfers that warm energy to the cool air coming into your building from the outside. Heat recovery units can dramatically reduce a building’s reliance on central heating or other high energy options. Choose heat recovery units with pre-heatersIf the air from the outside is particularly cold, this can place a greater strain on the heat exchanger. But there is an answer. A pre-heater on a heat recovery unit cools the outdoor air before it reaches the heat exchanger, thereby making it easier and quicker to heat it to the required internal temperature. Use EC motors in your heat recovery unitWhile a typical heat recovery unit is very efficient at retaining heat, it still needs energy to power it. Choosing a heat recovery unit fitted with EC motors helps to improve the operational efficiency of the unit because the motors can run at lower temperatures than traditional brush motors. As a result, the overall energy spend for running the heat recovery unit is lower than if you opt for a model without EC motors. Air Vent Technology’s range of heat recovery units features some of the best and most energy efficient models on the UK market. View the full range today.
