Cronax Industries - India's Largest HVAC Equipment Manufacturer & Distributor

Air Handling Unit (AHU): The Ultimate Guide to AHUs by Cronax Industries

What Is Air Handling Unit (AHU)?

An Air Handling Unit (AHU) or Air Handler Unit is a crucial component of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems in buildings. It’s responsible for regulating and circulating air as part of the building’s environmental control system. AHU Units typically consist of a large metal box containing heating or cooling elements, filters, dampers, fans, and other necessary components.

AHU DIAGRAM - CRONAX INDUSTRIES — How AHU Works? AHU Working Principle | AHU Working Diagram

The working principle of an Air Handling Unit (AHU) involves several key steps to condition and circulate air within a building:

Air Intake: The AHU pulls in fresh outside air and return air from the building.
Air Mixing: In the mixing box, dampers control the ratio of fresh outside air to return air to balance air quality and energy efficiency.
Filtration: The mixed air passes through filters to remove dust, pollen, and other airborne particles.
Conditioning:
- Heating/Cooling: Air passes through heating or cooling coils to adjust the temperature. Heating coils use hot water or steam, while cooling coils use chilled water or refrigerant.
- Humidification/Dehumidification: Humidifiers add moisture, and dehumidifiers remove moisture to maintain the desired humidity level.
Air Distribution: Fans move the conditioned air into the ductwork, which distributes it throughout the building. Return air from the building is recirculated, with some expelled as exhaust.
Exhaust: Stale air is expelled, often through an energy recovery ventilator to reclaim some energy from the outgoing air.

Summary

An AHU conditions (heats, cools, humidifies, dehumidifies) and filters air before circulating it through the building to ensure a comfortable and healthy indoor environment.

Types Of Air Handling Unit (AHU) –

AHUs come in various types and configurations, including horizontal floor-mounted, vertical floor-mounted, ceiling-suspended, and rooftop units, each designed to suit different spatial and functional requirements. Additionally, modern AHUs may incorporate smart technologies and advanced control systems for enhanced efficiency, monitoring, and automation.

Here’s Our AHU Product Range:

Horizontal Floor-Mounted AHUs: Designed for seamless integration into your facility’s layout, our horizontal floor-mounted AHUs provide efficient air distribution while conserving valuable floor space. With customizable configurations and robust construction, these units ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Vertical Floor-Mounted AHUs: Ideal for applications where space is at a premium, our vertical floor-mounted AHUs offer compact yet powerful air handling solutions. Engineered for versatility and ease of installation, these units deliver superior air quality and comfort in any environment.
Ceiling-Suspended AHUs: Perfect for environments with limited floor space, our ceiling-suspended AHU Units combine space-saving design with exceptional performance. Engineered to deliver consistent airflow and temperature control, these units are suitable for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.
Smart AHUs with Controller: Experience the future of air handling with our smart AHU rooms equipped with advanced controllers. Featuring intelligent automation and remote monitoring capabilities, these units allow for precise control, energy efficiency, and predictive maintenance, ensuring optimal performance and cost savings.

Contact Us

Airflow Capacity: AHUs are rated based on their maximum airflow capacity, typically measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) or cubic meters per hour (m³/h). This specification indicates the volume of air that the unit can handle within a given time frame.
External Static Pressure (ESP): ESP refers to the resistance that the AHU encounters as it pushes air through ductwork, filters, and other components. It’s measured in inches of water gauge (inWG) or pascals (Pa) and is crucial for selecting the appropriate fan size and motor power.
Cooling and Heating Capacity: AHUs are designed to provide cooling and/or heating to the air passing through them. Cooling capacity is typically measured in British Thermal Units per hour (BTU/h) or tons of refrigeration (TR), while heating capacity is measured in BTU/h or kilowatts (kW).
Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency ratings, such as SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for cooling and AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) for heating, indicate the unit’s efficiency in converting energy input into useful cooling or heating output.
Dimensions and Weight: AHUs come in various sizes and configurations to accommodate different installation requirements. Specifications such as dimensions (length, width, height) and weight are essential for determining spatial constraints and transportation logistics.
Filter Efficiency: AHUs are equipped with filters to remove airborne particles and contaminants from the air. Filter efficiency is measured using standards like Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) or High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) ratings.
Sound Levels: AHUs produce noise during operation, primarily from fans and airflow. Sound levels are typically measured in decibels (dB) and can vary depending on factors such as fan speed, motor type, and ductwork design.
Control System: Modern AHUs may feature advanced control systems for regulating airflow, temperature, humidity, and other parameters. Specifications related to control interfaces, communication protocols, and automation capabilities are important forair handler integration with building management systems (BMS) or smart building technologies.

Learn more about Cronax Air Handling Units (AHUs).

Functions of an Air Handling Unit (AHU)

An Air Handling Unit (AHU) performs several critical functions in HVAC systems to ensure a comfortable, healthy, and energy-efficient indoor environment. Here are the main functions of an AHU:

1. Air Filtration

Purpose: Removes dust, pollen, and other airborne particles to improve indoor air quality.
Components: Various filters, including pre-filters, fine filters, and HEPA filters.

2. Air Mixing

Purpose: Balances fresh outside air with return air from the building to maintain air quality and energy efficiency.
Components: Mixing box with dampers to control the air ratio.

3. Heating

Purpose: Increases the temperature of the air to maintain a comfortable indoor climate during colder periods.
Components: Heating coils containing hot water, steam, or electric elements.

4. Cooling

Purpose: Decreases the temperature of the air to maintain a comfortable indoor climate during warmer periods.
Components: Cooling coils containing chilled water or refrigerant.

5. Humidification

Purpose: Adds moisture to the air to maintain desired humidity levels, preventing dry air conditions.
Components: Humidifiers, which can be steam, spray, or ultrasonic.

6. Dehumidification

Purpose: Removes moisture from the air to maintain desired humidity levels, preventing overly humid conditions.
Components: Cooling coils and dehumidifiers.

7. Air Distribution

Purpose: Circulates the conditioned air throughout the building to ensure consistent and uniform climate control.
Components: Blowers or fans that push air into the ductwork.

8. Ventilation

Purpose: Ensures a continuous supply of fresh air to prevent indoor air stagnation and reduce the concentration of pollutants.
Components: Dampers and ductwork for air intake and exhaust.

9. Energy Recovery

Purpose: Reclaims energy from exhaust air to improve overall energy efficiency.
Components: Energy recovery ventilators or heat exchangers.

10. Temperature Control

Purpose: Maintains the indoor air temperature within a desired range.
Components: Thermostats and temperature sensors connected to heating and cooling coils.

11. Humidity Control

Purpose: Maintains the indoor humidity levels within a desired range for comfort and health.
Components: Humidistats and humidity sensors connected to humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

12. Pressure Control

Purpose: Maintains the appropriate air pressure within the building to ensure proper airflow and prevent drafts.
Components: Pressure sensors and control systems.

13. Noise Reduction

Purpose: Minimizes noise from the HVAC system to ensure a comfortable acoustic environment.
Components: Acoustic insulation and noise dampers.

14. Monitoring and Control

Purpose: Allows for real-time monitoring and adjustment of AHU functions to optimize performance and efficiency.
Components: Building Management Systems (BMS), sensors, and control panels.

By performing these functions, an AHU helps create a controlled indoor environment that supports occupant comfort, health, and productivity, while also being energy efficient.

Applications of Air Handling Unit (AHUs) in Various Industries

Air Handling Units (AHUs) or Air Handler unit find applications across various industries and building types due to their crucial role in HVAC systems. Here are some common applications:

Commercial Buildings: AHUs are widely used in office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, and other commercial establishments to maintain indoor air quality, temperature control, and comfort for occupants.
Industrial Facilities: Manufacturing plants, warehouses, factories, and other industrial facilities utilize Air Handling Unit Rooms to provide ventilation, cooling, and heating for process areas, production lines, and worker spaces.
Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and healthcare centers rely on AHU rooms to create sterile environments, control airborne contaminants, and maintain optimal conditions for patient care, research, and medical equipment operation.
Educational Institutions: Schools, universities, and educational campuses use Air handling Unit Rooms to regulate indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity levels in classrooms, auditoriums, libraries, and other learning spaces to enhance student comfort and concentration.
Hospitality Sector: Hotels, resorts, casinos, and hospitality venues utilize AHU rooms to provide comfortable and healthy indoor environments for guests, ensuring a pleasant stay and positive experience.
Data Centers: Data centers require precise environmental control to maintain optimal operating conditions for servers, networking equipment, and IT infrastructure. Air Handler Room play a critical role in cooling and air distribution to prevent equipment overheating and ensure reliability.
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology: AHUs or Air Handler Rooms are essential in pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, cleanrooms, and biotechnology laboratories to regulate air quality, temperature, and humidity for drug production, research, and development activities.
Food Processing: Food processing plants and facilities rely on AHU Units for ventilation, air filtration, and temperature control to maintain sanitary conditions, prevent contamination, and ensure product quality and safety.
Government Buildings: Government offices, military installations, airports, and public institutions utilize Air Handling Units to create comfortable and healthy indoor environments for employees, visitors, and occupants while meeting regulatory requirements and security standards.
Residential Buildings: In high-rise apartments, condominiums, and residential complexes, AHUs may be used in centralized HVAC systems to provide conditioned air to individual units, ensuring comfort and indoor air quality for residents.