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The benefits of air handling units - CLP Air Group

Used as part of an air-conditioning, ventilation and heating system, an Air Handling Unit’s sole purpose is to re-condition air from the outside and circulate it as fresh air in and around a building. These machines are typically found in medium to large industrial and commercial buildings and are usually sited on the roof, in the basement or on the floors in a specified area.

The basics

An AHU will take air from the outside and condition it by cleaning it, cooling or heating it and maybe even humidify it depending on the needs of the user. This air is then forced around the building by a series of ductwork and vents, with most systems including additional ductwork and vents to extract the stale air back to the AHU, where it is expelled by a fan back into the atmosphere.

The advantages of Air Handling Units

One of the main advantages of installing an Air Handling Unit is a much more comfortable working environment for your staff and visitors. Whilst air conditioning units will either heat or cool the workspace depending on the outside temperature, an AHU will clean the air that is entering your building and even adjust the humidity.

With so many new buildings becoming increasingly better insulated to reduce heat escaping, and thus reduce energy costs, the air in the building is more likely to become stale and linger for longer. This stale air then becomes more of a danger to not only your staff and visitors but also to the fabric of the building itself, with the stale air potentially giving rise to mould growth and problems with condensation.

Mould is a dangerous contaminant as it has the potential to cause allergic reactions in staff and visitors, and damage to the fabric of the building on the inside and out, which could require professional removal or repair.

Things to consider when selecting an AHU

You will need to think carefully about your requirements before buying an AHU as buying a unit that has been designed specifically for a certain use will help to speed up the installation process and be more reliable.

The location of the AHU is another important factor to consider, as an AHU in a factory will have different requirements than in an office building, so an AHU that has been designed for a specific application will be able to perform much more efficiently.

The size of the AHU is also vital as you need to make sure that the unit can comfortably supply fresh air to the size of the room or workspace you have in mind.

In summary

The addition of an AHU can greatly maximise air quality standards in your office building or commercial premises. This will lead to a better and safer working environment for everyone by excluding harmful particles that could lead to ill health and damage to the interior surfaces of the building.