Heat Pump Ready Fan Coil Units

Heat pump ready fan coil units (FCUs) provide reliable and efficient chilled water cooling while supporting low-carbon heating strategies that utilise lower-grade heat from heat pumps and low temperature district heating networks. These FCUs feature re-engineered coils and are capable of conditioning air more efficiently than traditional fan coil units, whilst maintaining exceptional acoustic performance. 

How does a heat pump ready fan coil unit work?

Our heat pump ready fan coil units are the result of extensive design work, testing and refinement. The redesigned low temperature ready coil at the centre of our heat pump ready fan coil units offers maximum heat transfer at reduced water temperatures without requiring an increase in fan size, footprint or energy draw. The result is reliable, efficient cooling under standard chilled water conditions, as well as built-in readiness for low temperature heating systems.  

Ability heat pump ready FCUs can be used effectively with traditional LTHW (60-80°C) from fossil fuel boilers or district heat networks (DHNs) or VLTHW (35-5°C) from heat pumps. The units can be integrated into existing systems now, in readiness for the switch to low-carbon heating in the future.  

Where other very ​​​​low temperature systems may require secondary coils or larger fans, Ability’s FCUs are designed to operate efficiently using just a single coil and existing airflow rates, while also being compact, quiet and easy to install. This reduces complexity, cost and commissioning time, and helps ensure reliable and sustainable long-term performance.  

Heat pump ready fan coil unit types

Ability heat pump ready fan coil units are available in our EVO, Matrix and Multiroom product ranges. They offer quiet, highly efficient and cost-effective heating and cooling delivery for modern, low carbon buildings

Benefits of Ability heat pump ready fan coil units

• Increased energy efficiency - heat pump ready FCUs provide enhanced heating capacity at lower system temperatures resulting in electrical consumption reductions of up to 24% when compared to traditional FCUs.
• Lower operational and embodied carbon - no increase in the number of FCUs when connecting to a low temperature water source so no increase in embodied carbon or operational carbon.
• Increased acoustic performance - no increase in fan speed required to achieve necessary heating output, resulting in better acoustic performance than traditional FCUs, which rely on higher air volumes.
• Smaller unit size - unlike traditional FCUs, no increase in fan or coil size required, making heat pump ready FCUs compact and easier to position to free up usable space.
• Future proofing - As heat pump ready FCUs operate with higher and lower temperature systems they can be fitted into buildings that may choose renewable heat sources in the future.
• Easier installation and commissioning - Traditional FCUs may need secondary coils or larger fans. Heat pump ready FCUs are compact and use existing airflows making installation and commissioning easier.

What is a heat pump ready FCU?  

A heat pump ready FCU is a fan coil unit designed to provide heating and cooling and is suitable for use with traditional boiler systems, a higher range of low temperature hot water systems (LTHW, higher range ​​​​of below 80°C)  and very low temperature hot water (VLTHW - falls below 55°C) from heat pumps. Effective and efficient, they are compatible with heat pumps as well as existing traditional boiler systems. 

How does a low temperature coil work? 

A low temperature coil works due to the increased surface area of the coil, optimising heat transfer. Ability coils use a contra flow design to maximise heat transfer efficiency, allowing the fan coil unit to deliver heat from heat pumps without increasing unit size or fan energy.

Which fan coil units are suitable for LTHW specification? 

Ability’s heat pump ready FCU technology was first developed based on our Matrix range of fan coil units and is also now available in our EVO and Multiroom ranges. This means our full range of FCUs is suitable for LTHW specification, delivering comfort heating at flow temperatures as low as 45°C. 

Can a fan coil unit be used with a district heat network operating at low temperature? 

Yes. Ability’s heat pump ready FCUs are well suited to district heating networks. Whether the system runs on traditional fossil fuels, waste heat or heat pumps, Ability’s heat pump ready FCUs provide effective heating and futureproofing for low-carbon operation.