An Under Floor Air Conditioning system, using Zone AHU’s and fan tiles has been designed for the new high rise buildings. This system has the advantage that the vertical risers can be much smaller as only the fresh air vertical distribution is required, together with pipes for cooling and heating water. With international focus on energy savings the Under Floor Air Conditioning AHU’s and Zone Ahu’s are being designed to accept chiller water at 10-16°C.

Under Floor Air Conditioning systems have been further developed for low rise buildings, where Direct Expansion Heat-Pump systems can be used. This means that any heating load is catered for by the heat-pump and no electric heating or boiler for LPHW is required.

In high rise buildings, with a co-ordinated design approach, major capital cost savings can be achieved.  To achieve the optimum results, the coordinated understanding and approach of the design team is needed from the outset. The design team needs to understand the Under Floor Air Conditioning system and what can be achieved. Often, with new ideas, an over cautious approach to design can reduce potential benefits.

A typically cautious approach would be to allow too much space in the raised floor or ceiling void, usually through a lack of understanding of the Under Floor Air Conditioning system.