Fan coils

[flanagaj]

Can anyone explain to me the options for fan coils?   If I am correct, fan coils are coupled to your ASHP system and depending upon whether your ASHP is in heating or cooling mode they can provide heated or cooled air.  There doesn't seem to be much info online when I search for fan coils, but I have found images of both radiator type options and also units that look like they are fitted inline to an MVHR system?

If I am correct and you can fit them inline to MVHR or have them installed as a radiator based offering, why would you choose one options over another?   I suspect that a radiator mounted offering with it's own internal fan, mitigates possible condensation forming inside the pipe of an inline MVHR system and designs in the associated condensation traps.

By incorporating fan coils, can you remove the need to install UFH upstairs?  

[SteamyTea]

1 minute ago, flanagaj said:

fit them inline to MVHR

While they can heat, or cool, the air by a few K, there is not much airflow though MVHR, so not much power into the room.

 

Fitting them into ductwork is really for forced heating/cooling systems.

 

 

[Nickfromwales]

9 minutes ago, flanagaj said:

Can anyone explain to me the options for fan coils?   If I am correct, fan coils are coupled to your ASHP system and depending upon whether your ASHP is in heating or cooling mode they can provide heated or cooled air.  There doesn't seem to be much info online when I search for fan coils, but I have found images of both radiator type options and also units that look like they are fitted inline to an MVHR system?

If I am correct and you can fit them inline to MVHR or have them installed as a radiator based offering, why would you choose one options over another?   I suspect that a radiator mounted offering with it's own internal fan, mitigates possible condensation forming inside the pipe of an inline MVHR system and designs in the associated condensation traps.

By incorporating fan coils, can you remove the need to install UFH upstairs?  

You cannot integrate via MVHR, they appear to be for duct systems because they require ducts to get the air from the room, to the fan coil, and back to the room again (after being tempered). Ducts need to be insulated well if cooling is required.

 

Fan coils can heat, so yes they could replace FF UFH, but you accept maintenance, higher rates of airflow, and some associated nuisance audibility vs the silence and zero maintenance of UFH. Typically a fan coil would be mounted centrally in the FF open landing etc and just blast away the stagnant unwanted heat from that area, vs ducting to each room.

 

Fan coil or rad, you'll need a drain for condensation.

[JamesPa]

1 hour ago, flanagaj said:

Can anyone explain to me the options for fan coils?   If I am correct, fan coils are coupled to your ASHP system and depending upon whether your ASHP is in heating or cooling mode they can provide heated or cooled air.  There doesn't seem to be much info online when I search for fan coils, but I have found images of both radiator type options and also units that look like they are fitted inline to an MVHR system?

If I am correct and you can fit them inline to MVHR or have them installed as a radiator based offering, why would you choose one options over another?   I suspect that a radiator mounted offering with it's own internal fan, mitigates possible condensation forming inside the pipe of an inline MVHR system and designs in the associated condensation traps.

By incorporating fan coils, can you remove the need to install UFH upstairs?  

I have one fancoil in an otherwise all radiator/ASHP system, installed because I couldn't fit a radiator large enough in the available space.  Its a wall mounted Mitsubishi Ilife 2 Slim, made in Italy (as are quite a high proportion of the available fancoils with stylish enclosures).

 

Nice (but expensive) piece of kit capable of heating or cooling.  There is a view that you can dispense with condensate drains if you keep the cooling flow temp above the dew point, which some heat pumps can do automatically.  Obviously you get less cooling this way.  Fan auto adjusts depending on load, so better to get a bigger model if fan noise matters (because fan will then be slower).  Its audible, but quieter than eg my fridge.

 

With 20:20 hindsight I wish Id fitted a couple more so I can get a decent amount of cooling.

 

Hope that helps

[flanagaj]

But if you also have MVHR fitted in the rooms, doesn't that mess with the airflow as you have now introduced a temperature differential to that of the supplied air to the room? Or does that negate somewhat due to said airflow moving throw the building a rising in temperature, before being ducted out in the kitchen or bathrooms?