INS AHUs benefits for hospitals
Why hospitals use Air Handling Units (AHUs)
Of all the places that must be kept clean and safe, a hospital is unlike any other. With
vulnerable patients to protect as well as visiting loved ones and dedicated staff, the air
quality inside a hospital environment must be maintained to an exceptional standard.
An Air Handling Unit can help you to ensure your hospital environment is as clean and safe as possible.
Enhancing the capabilities of your hospital air conditioning system, an air handling unit will deliver the powerful cleaning performance you need to guarantee a hygienic environment for your patients, staff and visitors.
Let’s take a look at what an AHU can do for your healthcare provision in more detail:
What is an Air Handling Unit (AHU)?
An Air Handling Unit (AHU) works as part of your hospital air conditioning system. It is used to boost the performance of commercial HVAC systems (Heating, Ventilation and Cooling systems) by raising the system’s cleaning capabilities.
Connected to the ductwork in your air conditioning system, the AHU enables large quantities of air from outside the building to be thoroughly cleaned for use within the system, providing optimum air quality and promoting good patient health.
AHUS can be used to both heat and cool air.
A FAHU (Fresh Air Handling Unit) only uses air from outside. However in some cases
businesses choose to mix fresh air with low ratios of re-circulated air in certain rooms to
save energy. You can also get RTUs (Rooftop Units) which are AHUs that are kept on the
roof.
AHUs are sometimes called air handlers. You can find your air handler by the ductwork,
most often in basements. AHUs look like a big metal box from the outside. Inside, the box is insulated and contains a network of ventilators, cooling and heating systems, air filters, a mixing chamber and dampers.
What does an Air Handling Unit do?
An air handling unit provides the enhanced air quality and climate control you need in your hospital to maintain patient health and promote recovery.
Delivering enhanced levels of filtration, the AHU will ensure all harmful pollutants and
pathogens are removed from the air before it is passed though the heating or cooling coil and circulated round your hospital.
The air handling unit will also ensure air flow is precise and moving at an efficient speed, in the right direction, to prevent contamination.
How often should an Air Handling Unit be cleaned?
All hospital air conditioning units must be kept in top working order to ensure air quality remains at the highest level so it is really important that regular services and maintenance are carried out.
Your air handling unit will need to be serviced on a regular basis. You will find that parts will need to be cleaned from time to time to ensure the air in circulation remains pure and safe, otherwise you will be circulating dirty air through the hospital.
In particular, the inside of the temperature coil, the fan and other parts that are contained within the system are all prone to getting dirty.
The all-important filter will need to be changed and you may also find your air handling unit requires treatment to prevent condensation. With the filters inside your unit working hard tocollect dirt and debris, it is really crucial that keep your filter clean.
In addition to contaminating the air, dirty filters will reduce the performance of your air
handling unit as well as its energy efficiency capabilities.
People often ask how often they should change the filters within their air handling unit. It’s a difficult question because there are so many different types.
Therefore there is no set period within which you should change your filters. The manual that accompanies your AHU will specify the recommended lifespan of your filters.
In general, because of the important work they do, it is best to schedule regular maintenance and servicing. Filters will get dirty at different times so it is important to keep on top of things to ensure you remain in line with all compliance because any presence of dirty filters will lower the quality of the air in your system.
Additionally, don’t assume that the filters in a higher grade system will last longer. Better
performance may mean your filters need cleaning more often due to the amount of work they are able to do.
If your system is recirculating air in some places this will also usually mean the air filter
needs to be cleaned more often.
Air Handling Unit Servicing and Repairs, London
Working across Ruislip, London, Essex, Slough and other parts of the South East, we carry out installation, maintenance and servicing for all types of hospital air conditioning systems, including air handling systems.
From filter cleaning for hospital air conditioning systems to regular servicing and one-off repairs, we have worked for a wide range of hospitals and healthcare providers across London and the South East, including the NHS.
We can provide all types of air conditioning services. Whether you need an air handling unit serviced or installed or want to talk about getting a bespoke, hospital-grade air conditioning system for your provision, get in touch with our expert team today.
As experienced providers of air conditioning across the healthcare sector, we have the
specialist knowledge required to work in hospitals, GP surgeries, dentists, clinics and all
other healthcare settings. Call our friendly team today on 01895 540 565 or visit our home page now.
