Data and technology can enhance air handling unit operations

User interfaces based on the web or mobile technologies will become available to those managing air handling systems, says Andrea Pagan, CAREL Application Manager – Ventilation and Systems, CAREL Industries S.p.A.

Current technology for AHUs 

Air handling units are the critical component in the system that controls indoor comfort, health and productivity. Firstly, the pandemic and the energy crisis have made the challenge more difficult. Such situations guarantee the best conditions for building health and productivity while limiting energy consumption.

This new paradigm is reflected in the design of the units; choosing higher performance components is crucial. Heat recovery, humidification and unit control systems with advanced logic are the keys to achieving even more demanding performance levels. Moreover, the tightness of air ducts is one element for increasing a system’s hygiene and efficiency.

 

Emerging technological changes in air handling units with digitalisation 

Digital technologies are ingrained in our everyday life. We benefit from them through the data these technologies generate, and then that information can be obtained to support our decisions.

In my opinion, technology and data can also improve the operation of an air handling unit.The application of electronic controllers on air handling units is the starting point for achieving this goal. The primary role of the control system is to manage all the functions of the air handling unit (AHU). This ensures components’ interoperability to provide optimal indoor air quality (IAQ) with the lowest possible energy consumption. However, the control system also represents the bridge between the physical systems in the field and the Internet, with the possibility of exchanging information and using increasingly advanced algorithms to optimise operation even further.

The user interface is also crucial. Advanced user interfaces based on the web or mobile technologies will become increasingly available to those responsible for running and managing air handling systems.

Of course, increasing Internet connection is not without its risks. Cyber security systems also need to be featured for these devices to prevent them from being a point of vulnerability where cybercriminals can access other, more crucial systems.

 

Rapid urbanisation impacting the demand for AHUs 

Urbanisation and the construction of large buildings are the main factors driving the growth of the AHU market. We spend most of our time indoors, and thus it’s unthinkable for the air we breathe not to be treated by a safe, reliable system.

 

Role of AHUs in industrial complexes, the hospitality sector and data centres 

The outlook is positive. These types of buildings use air handling units to control the conditions for the occupants or the process that takes place inside. The growth of data centres and the trend towards IoT devices is undoubtedly decisive. Industrial applications such as clean rooms for hospitals and pharmaceuticals are also driving applications in this sector.

 

Growing data centres structure and market growth for AHUs 

The spread of data centres with in-row layouts will shift their preference to centralised systems rather than distributed solutions such as CRAC units. Centralised AHUs are “intimately” connected to the data centre’s structure. They are generally equipped with heat recovery systems using indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) to exploit the outdoor airflow as an energy source, reducing energy consumption for traditional cooling.