What is a Fancoil?

FAN COIL UNITS (FCU)

A fan coil unit is a simple unit consisting of a heating and/or cooling coil and fan. It is part of many HVAC systems found in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Fan coil units have hot or cold water circulated through a coil in order to condition a space. The unit is supplied hot or cold water from a central plant, or mechanical room.

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 either cold or hot water to the unit depending on the time of year. 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)