A growing number of construction projects around the country are centered on building retrofit plans rather than new construction.

Fan coil units are designed to fit into existing spaces with minimal impact.
Bringing HVAC technology up to current energy and comfort standards is a big part of building retrofit. Building owners have three options for upgrading hydronic Room Fan Coil systems: repair, refurbish, or replace. Previously, restoring and repairing equipment was less expensive than replacing it. Building owners and operators strive to extend the life of their mechanical systems while deferring costly upgrades or replacements. However, these efforts are often only temporary, with refurbishment and repair extending the average fan coil unit’s serviceable life by 5-7 years (on average).

Traditionally, replacing a fan coil has been a pricey renovation project involving multiple trades. New solutions have become available, allowing aging vertical stack (high-rise) fan coil units to be retrofitted. The solution package includes a replacement chassis that fits into existing wall cabinets, allowing all internal components to be replaced. Carpentry, dry-wall and surface finishing, cleanup, and the impact on residents are all reduced or eliminated with this design.

In a refit situation, consider the following variables before selecting whether to repair, refurbish, or replace hydronic Room fan coil equipment.

Requirements for Facility HVAC
While it may appear that replacing an old fan coil unit with a new model of the same design is the simplest and quickest solution, the building requirements and application may differ significantly from the original design and occupancy plan. Along with energy efficiency, cost of operation, and meeting current mechanical and ventilation code requirements, occupant comfort should be high on your priority list. Since the original system was installed, occupancy patterns and needs may have changed. If your needs haven’t changed, a fan coil refit might be the best option.

Cost Management
Although the initial equipment repair costs may not appear to be significant, the life-cycle cost of new and more efficient equipment may be lower, given the avoidance of future repairs. On a room-by-room basis, new replacement chassis can seamlessly integrate into existing infrastructure, reducing the impact of a large-scale renovation shutdown on building occupancy and operation. Hotel clients have stated that the fan coil unit refit was finished in less than four hours. As a result, there is frequently no loss of room revenue. When used in a dormitory, commercial building, or multi-family housing, the same method can help complete a building renovation project in a short amount of time.

Flexibility in design
The refit and refurbishment process allows for better operation and tuning of equipment performance to meet the space’s current needs. Thermostat and fan motor technology have advanced significantly in recent years, affecting both operational efficiency and sequence of operations. Through better ventilation and humidity control sequences, recent advancements in coil design can boost occupant comfort and quality of life.

New products have been introduced to the market that helps to build owners and operators who are looking to replace their fan coil equipment. Facility managers can learn about the latest cost-effective room air conditioning and comfort options.

Trosten Industries located in Dubai; UAE provides Eurovent-certified fan coil units with UL-recognized motor components. EC / DC fan coil units (FCUs) are designed to deliver a SFP value of 0.2 – 0.3 w/lps as per Green Building Regulations. Custom-built fan coil units are built with AHRI 410 certified cooling coils and performance tested in our psychometric testing laboratory. Trosten is one of very few local Fan Coil Units manufacturers in the GCC region.

Exposed / Decorative Fan Coil Units (FCUs) are aesthetically designed to suit the spacious interiors, matching the RAL shade colors.

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