Air handling units (AHUs) are an integral part of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. They are responsible for regulating air quality, temperature, and humidity in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. AHUs work by circulating and filtering air through a series of components, including fans, filters, cooling and heating coils, and humidifiers.

There are several types of air handling units, each designed for specific applications and HVAC systems. Here's a breakdown of the different types of AHUs and how they work:

Packaged Air Handling Units:
Packaged air handling units (PAHUs) are compact units that come with all necessary components pre-installed, including fans, filters, heating and cooling coils, and humidifiers. PAHUs are ideal for smaller commercial buildings, such as offices, restaurants, and retail stores.

Custom Air Handling Units:
Custom air handling units (CAHUs) are designed to meet the specific needs of a particular building or HVAC system. They are often used in large commercial and industrial buildings that require high-capacity air handling systems. CAHUs can be customized with a variety of components, including fans, filters, and heating and cooling coils.

Modular Air Handling Units:
Modular air handling units (MAHUs) are designed to be easily assembled and disassembled, making them ideal for buildings with limited space or those that require frequent reconfiguration. MAHUs can be customized with a variety of components, including fans, filters, and heating and cooling coils.

Energy Recovery Air Handling Units:
Energy recovery air handling units (ERAHUs) are designed to improve energy efficiency in HVAC systems by recovering and reusing energy from exhaust air streams. ERAHUs use heat exchangers to transfer energy from outgoing air to incoming air, reducing the amount of energy required to heat or cool the air. ERAHUs are ideal for buildings with high ventilation rates, such as hospitals, laboratories, and manufacturing facilities.

Clean Room Air Handling Units:
Clean room air handling units (CRAHUs) are designed to maintain high levels of air purity in environments where cleanliness is critical, such as laboratories, pharmaceutical facilities, and semiconductor manufacturing plants. CRAHUs use high-efficiency filters and airlocks to prevent contamination from outside air sources.

In conclusion, air handling units play a critical role in maintaining indoor air quality and temperature control in HVAC systems. The type of AHU selected depends on the specific needs of the building and the HVAC system in use. Whether you need a compact PAHU for a small office or a custom CAHU for a large industrial facility, there is an AHU that can meet your needs.