Fan coil units have been installed in commercial buildings for a while due to their compactness and ease of operation in space heating and cooling. But in recent times, they are increasingly being installed on the ceilings in residential buildings, especially in new builds. This is because of their ease of operation, compactness, increased desire for energy efficiency, indoor air quality and sustainability benefits.
But in our interactions with homeowners, business owners and residential occupants we have discovered that few understand how FCUs operate and what simple procedures to follow if the operations malfunction.
In our previous Blog, we dealt with how fan coil units work and we discussed FCU operation. Here, especially during the summer period, we shall be looking at what to do when a fan coil unit is not doing what it should be doing. So,
What Should You Do If Your Fan Coil Unit Is Not Blowing Air?
If your fan coil unit (FCU) is not blowing air, there could be many possible reasons, such as:
From our experience of working with FCUs over the years, we have discovered that a major cause for fan coil units not blowing air is the fact that the attached filters behind the coils are clogged, blocked and dirty due to long-term neglect, one which many building managers and home occupants are guilty of.
It is necessary - especially in preparation for the summer time - to undertake a professional check and conduct a full FCU servicing every 6 months or at most annually. A dirty filter can block airflow. If the filter is clogged, either have this cleaned or replace it with a clean one.
FCU Filters are usually located up on the ceiling, and this usually creates an oversight for those who are responsible. A long neglect of FCU filters can result in health issues and an increase in energy bills for occupants. It is important to consult an FCU specialist who would advise on the best means of cleaning the filter, whether to wipe, hoover, wash or simply replace it with another filter.