A fan coil unit (FCU) is the terminal device of a heating and cooling system that actively distributes warm or cool air throughout a room. Unlike a traditional radiator, it delivers thermal output 2 to 3 times more efficiently at the exact same coolant temperature. The Altek catalog features wall-mounted and floor-to-ceiling fan coils ranging from 2 to 14 kW for both residential and commercial properties.
Fan Coils for Homes and Commercial Spaces
A standard radiator heats a room via natural convection—a process that is slow and often leaves uneven temperature zones. A fan coil paired with a heat pump uses an internal fan to actively force air through its heat exchanger. This makes the process significantly faster and ensures a perfectly uniform temperature throughout the space. At the same coolant temperature, a fan coil delivers 2 to 3 times more thermal power than a steel panel radiator of the same dimensions.
During the summer, the system operates in reverse: cold water from the heat pump circulates through the heat exchanger, allowing the fan coil to function exactly like an air conditioner. This provides a single, year-round climate control solution for both heating and cooling.
What Is a Fan Coil and How Does It Work?
An FCU consists of three primary components: a fan, a heat exchanger crafted from copper tubes with aluminum fins, and an air filter. Hot or cold water from the heat pump flows through the copper tubes. The fan blows ambient room air across the fins, where it is instantly heated or cooled before being recirculated into the room.
The fan speed can be adjusted manually or automatically, typically featuring three manual modes plus an automatic mode controlled by a thermostat. At its lowest speed setting, a fan coil operates almost silently, generating just 28–32 dBA.
- Two-Pipe System: Utilizes a single water circuit for either heating or cooling, with seasonal switching.
- Four-Pipe System: Features two independent water circuits, allowing simultaneous heating and cooling in different rooms. This is critical for modern offices with diverse temperature zones.
Types of Fan Coils and Their Features
The four main types of fan coils are distinguished primarily by their installation method:
- Wall-Mounted: Mounted high on the wall, looking exactly like a standard split-system air conditioner. Ranging from 2 to 7 kW, they run at a quiet 28–35 dBA on low speed. This is the optimal choice for living rooms, private offices, and bedrooms.
- Floor-to-Ceiling: These versatile units can be installed upright on the floor or suspended horizontally beneath the ceiling. They provide excellent airflow coverage throughout the full height of the space, making them ideal for large halls, restaurants, and retail spaces with ceilings over 3 meters.
- Cassette: Embedded directly into a suspended ceiling, distributing air in four directions. They are the design standard for offices and commercial spaces utilizing Armstrong-type grid ceilings.
- Ducted: Integrated completely out of sight into a ventilation duct network. A single ducted unit can quietly distribute climate-controlled air to multiple rooms, making it perfect for apartments with central ventilation or houses with pre-installed air ducts.
How to Choose a Fan Coil for a Heat Pump
Key Consideration: The capacity of a fan coil paired with a heat pump must be evaluated based on the real supply temperature of your system. Most Altek air-to-water heat pumps operate with a supply temperature between 35°C and 55°C. Manufacturers specify capacity columns at both 45/40°C and 55/45°C—be sure to reference the column that matches your heat pump’s operational profile.
Technical metrics to evaluate during selection:
- Load Calculation: Budget approximately 100 W per 1 m² for heating, and 80–120 W per 1 m² for cooling. For a 20 m² room, a 2–2.5 kW fan coil is sufficient.
- Noise Rating: For bedrooms, look for models that stay below 30 dBA at lowest speed. For hallways or kitchens, up to 40 dBA is perfectly acceptable. Noise levels for each fan speed are always clearly outlined in the technical datasheet.
- Airflow Volumetric Rate (m³/h): The fan’s throughput should deliver a 3-to-5-fold air exchange per hour. For a room volume of 50 m³, select a fan coil with an airflow rate of at least 150–250 m³/h.
Buy Fan Coils: Pricing and Equipment Selection at Altek
In the Altek.ua online store, you can buy premium fan coils backed by an official warranty and delivery across Ukraine. We offer competitive pricing and ensure fast dispatch directly from our logistics hubs in Kyiv and Dnipro.
Altek technical specialists will help you select the ideal fan coil unit tailored to your specific heat pump parameters and floor plan completely free of charge. To place an order, simply leave a request on our website or call our manager.
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