This is a list of common HVAC components in commercial buildings. You probably know that you have an HVAC system for your facility, but you might not know what all of the components do. Here is a list of the most common HVAC elements found in a commercial building and how they work together to keep your building at its ideal temperature. An air conditioner is designed to dehumidify and remove heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle. A condenser is a component of the basic refrigeration cycle that removes heat from the system. The condenser is the hot side of an air conditioner. Condensers are heat exchangers that can transfer heat to air or heat to fluid (such as water or glycol) to carry the heat away. An air handler, or air handling unit (often called an AHU), is used to condition and circulate air as part of an HVAC system. An air handler usually contains a blower, heating or cooling elements, filter racks or chambers, sound attenuators, and dampers.

Air handlers usually connect to ductwork that distribute the conditioned air through the building and return it to the AHU. Small air handlers are called terminal units, and may only include an air filter, coil, and blower. These smaller units are also called blower coils or fan coil units. A larger air handler that conditions 100% outside air, and no re-circulated air, is known as a makeup air unit (MAU). An air handler designed for outdoor use, typically on roofs, is known as a rooftop unit (RTU). A chiller removes heat from a liquid through a vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycle. This cooled liquid flows through pipes in a building and passes through coils in air handlers, fan-coil units, or other systems, cooling and usually dehumidifying the air in the building. There are two types of chillers – air-cooled or water-cooled. Air-cooled chillers are usually outside and consist of condenser coils cooled by fan-driven air. Water-cooled chiller are usually inside a building, and heat from these chillers is carried by re-circulating water to a heat sink such as an outdoor cooling tower.

Now that you know the difference between these components, do you remember when the last time was that you had them tuned up? Be sure to perform regular facility HVAC maintenance to keep your system running at its peak. Facility Services Newsletter – Receive maintenance tips, business updates, and our quarterly cocktail.Air handling equipment shall be manufactured in accordance with the following specification, designed for horizontal or vertical air flow. Units shall be matching in both internal width and height to ensure smooth efficient air movement through each section of plant with minimum turbulence and pressure loss. Access shall be provided to each section of plant for inspection and maintenance purposes. Units shall be constructed to eliminate the transmission of mechanical vibration. For ease of handling, larger units shall be transported to site in sections for assembly by others.  All jointing gaskets, sealing materials and hardware shall be provided to allow assembly to be completed.

Suitable permanent lifting points shall be incorporated into the unit base frame or framework. The units shall be complete with fixed identification, airflow and warning labels. As a minimum the AHU shall be constructed to meet the leakage requirements of DW143 class B (BS1886 leakage class L2).The unit framework shall be constructed using 50mm penta box section, manufactured from 18 swg (1.2mm) Z2 hot dip galvanised steel.best home ac units 2014The frame shall be assembled using pre formed corner sections and seam welded internally.  ac-ft unitIntermediate post work shall be fitted where necessary to provide a structure of strength and rigidity.  how to turn off power to ac unitThe frame shall be capable of supporting the components and fittings forming the air handling unit and withstanding the pressure within the air system under operating conditions. 

The frame shall be vapour sealed.All post work around and downstream of cooling coils and other drain tray sections shall be fully insulated throughout their entire length. The insulation material shall have the same acoustic and thermal properties as that identified for cladding panels elsewhere in the specification.The structural strength of the assembly shall in no way rely on the cladding panels. All strength shall be provided by the permanent framework.The framework shall have a natural galvanised finishAll air inlet and outlets shall be suitable for flanged duct connection.All enclosure panels and access doors shall be nominal 45mm deep and double skinned. The outer skin shall be manufactured from 20 swg (0.9mm) B.S.C. colour coat plastisol (plastic coated steel). The standard colour shall be Goosewing Grey (BS 10A05). The inner panel skin shall be manufactured from 22 swg (0.7mm) Z2 hot dip galvanised steel. The cavity shall be packed with slab rockwool insulation, with a density of 45kg/m³ (thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK), compressed between the inner and outer skins, to form a panel with excellent thermal and acoustic properties.

On units large enough for internal access the floor panels shall have reinforced insulation to facilitate maintenance access. Internal floor panels are to be welded in place. All other panels shall be flush mounted into the unit frame and be fully removable.Access doors shall be provided to areas of regular maintenance. Door furniture shall be either hinged or lift off operation.All panels shall be located on closed cell neoprene acoustic gaskets, about their perimeter.Casing sound reduction shall not be less than:All air handling units are fitted with a steel base, fabricated from galvanized steel, designed to support the unit at the relevant structural points.When units are to be installed externally, they shall be provided with a trussed pitched roof fitted over all elements of the framework.The roof shall be manufactured from 0.7mm Z2 hot dip galvanised steel with a finish to match the AHU frame work.The roof shall be flashed and sealed where jointing is necessary to prevent water ingress.

All unducted fresh air intakes and exhaust air discharges shall be fitted with either weather hoods or louvres complete with a bird/vermin screen.1. Unit constructed to meet the leakage requirements of BS1886 leakage class L2 (DW143 class B).2. Frame to be vapour sealed.3. Fan motors wired to local isolators.4. Fan assemblies mounted on vibration isolators.5. Fan assemblies earth bonded.6. Fan discharges fitted with internal flexible duct connectors.7. Post work insulated around and downstream of cooling coils.8. Coils installed on slide rails.9. Drain trays manufactured to eliminate ponding and extended beyond the component casing to allow inspection and cleaning.10. Panel and bag filters fitted with inclined manometers, HEPA filters with vertical manometers.11. Bag filters installed in frames with pockets in vertical orientation.12. Man access sections fitted with reinforced floor panels.13. Air inlet and outlets suitable for flanged duct connection.14. All units fitted with flush base skids.15. 

All sections fitted with permanent lifting facility.16. Access doors adjustable to allow for seal deterioration.17. All non-access enclosure panels removable.18. All unit sections and components fitted with identification and warning labels.19. Unit constructed to meet the leakage requirements of BS1886 leakage class L1 (DW143 Class C) or to exceed BS1886 leakage class L1 (DW143 Class D).2. Fan motors wired to local isolators complete with auxiliary contacts.3. Drive guards shall be fitted to all fan assemblies.4. View glasses shall be fitted to all fan sections.5. View glasses shall be fitted to all access sections.6. View glasses shall be fitted to all humidifier sections.7. Unit access areas fitted with bulkhead lights, pre wired to external switches.8. Fan sections fitted with bulkhead lights, pre wired to external switches.9. Humidifier sections fitted with bulkhead lights, pre wired to external switches.10. Test points shall be fitted between all components.11. All access doors shall be key lockable.12.