What is a Fancoil?

FAN COIL UNITS (FCU)

A fan coil unit is a simple unit consisting of a water fed coil and a fan that blows or draws across it. HVAC systems found in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings use them to condition the air. Fan coil units have heated (in the winter) or cold (in the summer) water circulated through a coil in order to condition the air in a space. Generally the unit is supplied water from a central plant, or mechanical room. Some combination units are supplied hot water from a standalone boiler or hot water tank.

Fan coil units are divided into two types: Two-pipe or four-pipe units. Two-pipe fan coil units have one (1) supply and one (1) return pipe. The supply pipe supplies the water to the unit to circulate through the coil then the water exist through the return pipe to recirculate through the system. Four-pipe fan coil units have 2 stacked coils with two (2) supply pipes and two (2) return pipes. This allows heating or cooling to be available at any given time.

The two most common designs found in condominiums are horizontal fan coils and vertical fancoils. Vertical fan coils can also be split into two sub designs Blow through (fan sits below the coil) and Draw through (fan sits above the coil).

VERTICAL FAN COIL

Majority of units in residential high rise buildings use this configuration. Located inside the wall they are easily identifiable by the large access panel where you may see service technicians open to clean the unit and change the filter throughout the year as part of a maintenance program.

Vertical Fancoil (VFC)

HORIZONTAL FAN COIL

More often used in common areas or industrial builds. Mounted to the ceiling they are sometimes located in closets/laundry rooms or behind large access panels in the ceiling.

Horizontal Fancoil (HFC)