Main Components of Air Handling Units and How to Maintain Them
23 January 2023The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is necessary for every building as it regulates the temperature and quality of the indoor air. Without the right components, the involved property might use too much energy without providing comfort to the occupants inside.
One of the components of the HVAC system that must be present on your property is an air handling unit. An air handling unit, or AHU, is a piece of equipment that regulate air quality, humidity, and temperature before circulating the same air in the HVAC system. It depends heavily on ductwork to then push the air throughout a property.
Many components can be found inside an air handling unit. And to ensure that they remain functional for a long time, they should be maintained optimally.
Air Handling Unit Main Components
An air handling unit can work optimally if the following components remain functional.
• Blowers: Blowers or the fans serve as the main core of an AHU system. These components generate enough pressure for the air to be moved and transported throughout a system of AHUs. If these components fail, it is often due to a bad relay, run capacitor, blower wheel, or the blower motor itself.
• Heating or Cooling Coil: The heating or cooling coil of the AHU system function alternatively depending on the thermostat setting. The air will be transported to one of these coils before it enters the ductwork.
• Dampers: Dampers are crucial AHU system components that can control the amount of air that goes through them. They can be either manual or modulated.
• Humidifiers: Humidifiers are used to prevent discomfort due to drier air, which can be beneficial for properties in the colder months. They work by increasing the humidity of the air while it moves through the HVAC system.
• Filter Racks: Filter racks are dedicated to storing filters that can remove particles from the air. Their size, type, and number depend heavily on the unit they are integrated with. The filters on these racks must be changed semi-annually, quarterly, or more frequently depending on the air quality of a building.
• Heat Exchanger: Heat exchangers are often fitted to an AHU to improve energy efficiency. They ensure that the exiting conditioned air can make the incoming outside air colder or warmer. The fresh air from the system is often preheated by recovering and obtaining residual heat in the exhausted gas.
General Upkeep of the AHU System
There are a lot of activities that can be done to clean and maintain your AHU system.
For one, frequent examination of electrical components, control panel and boxes, control set points, return air dampers, relief air dampers, filter section, heating coil, drain line and pan, cooling coil, and other parts can be done to check their overall condition. Some of these components may require regular cleaning to ensure that they can perform well for a long time. Others, alternatively, should be replaced if they are already faulty. Some components may likewise require frequent lubrication to prevent them from getting damaged.
To confirm that your AHU system is still intact, you must check if it does not produce any unwanted level of noise or vibration. Their filters and condensation pan must also be clean so they can work well. Lubrication is likewise necessary for the motor and blower bearing.
If you need help with AHU system maintenance, you can contact us at Fluid Sealing.
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