Air Handling Systems

Air Handling Systems (AHS) are an essential part of any modern building, as they provide conditioned air to the occupants. AHSs are designed to maintain a comfortable indoor environment by controlling the temperature, humidity, and air quality. They are also used to remove pollutants and contaminants from the air, such as dust, smoke, and odors.

Types of Air Handling Systems

There are several types of AHSs, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. The most common types of AHSs are:

• Constant Air Volume (CAV) systems maintain a constant airflow rate, regardless of the load on the system. CAV systems are simple to design and operate, but they can be inefficient because they do not respond to changes in the load. However, new technologies like Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) can make CAV systems more efficient.
• Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems adjust the airflow rate to match the load on the system. VAV systems are more efficient than CAV systems, but they can be more complex to design and operate. VAV systems use various devices, including VAV boxes and controllers, to adjust the airflow rate.
• Dual Duct systems have two supply ducts, one for hot air and one for cold air. The air is mixed at the terminal units to provide the desired temperature and humidity. Dual Duct systems are more efficient than CAV systems, but they can be more complex to design and operate.
• Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) systems distribute the air through the underfloor plenum and then up through the floor. This system is efficient and provides good air quality but can be more complex and expensive to install.
• Displacement Ventilation systems use a low velocity, low-temperature air stream to ventilate the space. This system is very efficient and provides good indoor air quality but can be more complex to design and operate.

Components of an Air Handling System

The main components of an AHS are: