Ventilation is one of the most vital systems in any building. It is responsible for the quality of the supplied air, enabling people inside to function comfortably and safely. Beyond fresh air supply, ventilation systems filter incoming air and exhaust stale air. Another key function of modern Air Handling Units (AHUs) is maintaining the appropriate humidity and temperature levels.
Selecting the right ventilation equipment is one of the most critical tasks for designers and HVAC specialists. The consequences of incorrect decisions can be severe.
Here are several key examples:
1. Insufficient Capacity
An incorrectly selected AHU system may suffer from inadequate air treatment capacity. Failing to maintain proper air parameters is not only a violation of technical regulations but also negatively impacts user comfort and safety. Units must have the appropriate power and output to deliver fresh air to every room in the building.
2. Lack of Optimization
If a ventilation system is not properly designed and optimized, it can generate excessive and unnecessary operational costs.
A well-selected AHU ensures lower energy expenditures. In the early design phase, investors often request units with the highest possible power. However, this leads to significantly higher operating costs, particularly regarding electricity or gas consumption. Given current environmental concerns and rising fuel prices, AHU optimization is essential.
Optimization is not just about choosing the right power, it also involves selecting the best equipment, components, and layout of ventilation ducts (considering duct length and pressure distribution) and the units themselves.
3. Lack of Future-Proofing
Conversely, failing to plan for the future can also be costly. If we know at the design stage that ventilation demand will increase (e.g., due to planned building expansion, change of business scope, or an increase in the number of employees/customers), it should be accounted for in the project. Proper forward-thinking significantly reduces the costs of future system modifications or expansions.
Ratherm’s HVAC specialists can help you plan your AHU with future needs in mind, saving both time and money.
4. Excessive Noise Levels
A poorly selected or poorly positioned AHU can cause excessive noise. While every mechanical device emits sound, a correctly selected and strategically placed unit will be virtually inaudible to users. In extreme cases, noise can also be generated within the HVAC installation itself, often due to excessive air velocity in the ducts. Such sounds are highly disruptive. A well-designed system ensures proper acoustic levels both within the ducts and outside the unit casing. Note: Noise can also stem from vibrations, worn bearings, or damaged mechanical parts. Ratherm offers its own dedicated AHU service team to assist with such issues.
5. Inadequate Heat Recovery
One of the most effective ways to lower HVAC operational costs is the use of heat recovery systems. In traditional mechanical ventilation without energy recovery, stale (and often pre-heated) air is simply exhausted from the building. Since heating is one of the highest operating costs, wasting this energy is inefficient. The solution is a heat recovery module, such as those used in Ratherm AHUs (e.g., our XD Monoblock Series). This device transfers heat from the exhausted stale air to the incoming fresh air, significantly reducing heating demand. While recuperation does not entirely replace a heating system, it drastically lowers expenses and benefits the environment by reducing fossil fuel consumption.
Roof-Mounted Solutions Ratherm’s monoblock, gas-fired, and compact AHUs can be installed on rooftops. This saves valuable indoor floor space and significantly reduces audible noise. Our units are equipped with advanced solutions designed to further dampen operational sounds.
RATHERM AHU SELECTION SOFTWARE
If you are looking for a precise tool to help you select the right equipment for your project, explore our AHU Selection Software. Designed for designers, installation companies, and HVAC specialists, this intuitive application allows you to configure a unit in four simple steps. Key features include easy navigation, pre-configured unit sets with automation applications, and the ability to compare devices and export results to PDF. This tool is built on decades of industry experience.