What Is a Horizontal Fan Coil?

Where Comfort Control Meets Quiet Efficiency

When it comes to maintaining occupant comfort in buildings with many individual rooms – such as hotels, healthcare buildings, dormitories and office spaces – horizontal fan coil units are behind-the-scenes heroes. They deliver individualized temperature control while staying out of sight and out of mind. Compact and quiet, these units are usually installed above ceilings, making them ideal for spaces where floor area is limited but where comfort can’t be compromised.

Horizontal fan coil units are an excellent choice when floor space is at a premium, such as in college dorm rooms

So, what makes horizontal fan coil units so popular in building design?

Comfort Control, Room by Room

Horizontal fan coil units are simple but effective. They use water provided from a boiler, chiller, heat pump or central plant to condition air before circulating it back to the occupied space. The term “horizontal” refers to the unit’s orientation and the direction of airflow. This layout allows the unit to remain hidden above the ceiling, preserving room aesthetics and freeing up floor space.

Because they serve individual zones or rooms, fan coil units provide precise temperature control, which is especially ideal for applications where different occupants may have different comfort preferences. In healthcare, fan coil units help maintain consistent climate control in patient rooms. In hospitality, they allow guests to adjust their own environment. And in educational or multifamily residential spaces, they can easily be scaled across buildings with repetitive layouts.

How It Works: Air, Water and Quiet Efficiency

Inside a horizontal fan coil unit, a fan draws room air over a coil filled with hot or chilled water. The air is conditioned and redistributed via ductwork and ceiling diffusers. Since the system relies on a central chiller or boiler plant, the units are ideal for noise-sensitive environments.

The High-Performance Fan Coil from Price

Units like Price’s Horizontal High-Performance Fan Coil (FCHG) are designed for energy efficiency, acoustic performance and installation flexibility. Properly sizing a fan coil unit for the space is essential to achieve optimal performance and occupant comfort. Multiple access configurations, quiet motors and modular components simplify both construction and maintenance.

Horizontal fan coils typically include supply- and return-water connections, electrical enclosures and side access for changing filters. In space-constrained installations, access can be relocated to the bottom of the unit, offering added flexibility for contractors and system designers.

The horizontal fan coil’s drain pan collects condensate so it can be disposed of or reintegrated into the building system for other uses

Another critical design detail is condensate management. As warm air cools and dehumidifies, moisture forms on the coil. The FCHG includes a sloped drain pan directly beneath the coil, helping direct water safely to a drain using both gravity and positive air pressure. It’s a subtle detail but one that protects against leaks, mold and maintenance headaches down the road.

If you’re just starting to explore fan coils, read How Do Fan Coils Work? And for a broader look at how fan coil units have evolved in today’s HVAC landscape, check out The Modern-Day Fan Coil.

For product specs, configurations and help with selection, reach out to our engineering team at airmovement@priceindustries.com.

Bushra Rizvi is Project Engineer Specialist for the Terminals team at Price. She is based out of Price's Progress facility in Lawrenceville, GA. Click here to connect with her on LinkedIn.