Bridging the Gap Between Fan Coils and Indoor Air Handlers
A blower coil unit is a versatile piece of equipment that can be integrated into many types of hydronic distribution systems. With its compact design and wide range of performance capabilities, it has become popular in many different markets.
So what makes up a blower coil?
Blower coils have a draw-through configuration, where the fan motor is positioned on the discharge of the product and draws air across the upstream coil. This coil will be supplied with water or refrigerant to heat, cool or dehumidify this air before it’s delivered throughout the system. During this process, the upstream filter also catches unwanted debris and dust to protect the fan.
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| Blower coils have a draw-through configuration, where the fan motor draws air through a filter and the coil before the air passes through the fan motor and out into the space |
Traditionally, blower coils have utilized belt-driven motors and variable-frequency drive (VFD) technologies. Over time, however, this has proved to be bulky, noisy and inefficient. Modernized blower coils use electronically commutated (EC) motors or plenum fans that allow these products to handle much higher levels of static pressure and airflows while operating more efficiently.
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| Rather than relying on belt-driven motors (left), modern blower coils use EC motors (center) or plenum fans (right) | ||
The expanded pressure capabilities of these fan motors mean that the unit has a wider range of coil and ducting configurations. This makes blower coils an exceptional choice for buildings designed with an emphasis on efficiency and acoustics, as well as for chiller designs with elevated water temperatures and high-efficiency boilers with lower water temperatures.
Blower coils are ideal for healthcare facilities, office spaces, dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) and any other applications that require high loads. Their customizability and performance capabilities allow them to bridge the gap between traditional fan coils and indoor air handlers.
| Watch the video for more insight into how blower coils work! |
If you’re just starting to explore fan and blower coils, check out our article How Do Fan Coils Work? for foundational knowledge about these technologies. And if you’re looking to integrate blower coils into your next project, check out Customize Your Blower Coil With The BCHD!
For product specs, configurations and help with selection, reach out to our engineering team at airmovement@priceindustries.com.
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Braydon Whittington is Project Engineering Manager for Fan Coils and Terminals. He is based out of Price’s headquarters in Winnipeg, MB. Click here to connect with him on LinkedIn. |
