AHU Refurbishment
ambientAIR specialises in AHU refurbishment, restoring and upgrading existing air handling units to improve energy efficiency, extend equipment life and reduce running costs, at a fraction of the cost of full replacement.
With over 15 years of experience delivering AHU refurbishment projects for retail chains, gyms, restaurants, hotels, offices and commercial premises across the UK, the ambientAIR team has the technical knowledge and hands on expertise to assess, specify and deliver refurbishment projects that make a real difference to system performance and energy consumption.
All AHU refurbishment work is carried out by ambientAIR's engineers, who are specifically trained and experienced in air handling unit refurbishment. This means every project is delivered to the same high standards, with the same commitment to quality and attention to detail that ambientAIR clients expect.
An air handling unit (AHU) is a key component of a centralised HVAC system. It is responsible for conditioning and distributing air throughout a commercial building, providing ventilation that can be heated, cooled or both depending on the requirements of the space and the season.
Rather than heating or cooling air at individual points around a building, a centralised HVAC system with an AHU conditions air in one place and distributes it throughout the building via ductwork. This makes AHUs particularly well suited to large commercial buildings including offices, retail stores, gyms, hotels, schools and healthcare facilities where consistent, controlled air quality and temperature across multiple zones is essential.
A typical commercial AHU draws in fresh outdoor air, mixes it with recirculated air from within the building, filters it, conditions it to the required temperature and humidity, and distributes it throughout the building. Extracted air is removed and either expelled outside or passed through a heat recovery system to recover energy before being expelled.
AHU refurbishment is the process of assessing, upgrading and replacing worn or inefficient components within an existing air handling unit to restore and improve its performance. Rather than replacing the entire unit, refurbishment targets the specific components that are causing inefficiency, poor performance or reliability issues.
A well executed AHU refurbishment can restore performance to near new standards, significantly reduce energy consumption and extend the working life of the unit by many years.
ambientAIR's engineers are specifically trained to work on all components of a commercial air handling unit. Here is what the team assesses and what can be upgraded or replaced as part of a refurbishment:
Filters are one of the most critical components of an AHU, removing dust, allergens, bacteria and contaminants from the air before it is distributed throughout the building. Over time, filters become clogged and degraded, reducing airflow, increasing energy consumption and compromising indoor air quality. ambientAIR replaces and upgrades filters to restore air quality and system efficiency, specifying the right filter grade for each application.
Dampers control the flow and mixture of fresh outdoor air and recirculated air within the AHU. Worn or faulty dampers reduce the ability to control air distribution effectively, leading to uncomfortable temperatures, poor air quality and wasted energy. ambientAIR inspects, repairs and replaces dampers to restore precise airflow control throughout the system.
LPHW coils circulate hot water through the AHU to heat the air being distributed throughout the building. Degraded or scaled coils reduce heat transfer efficiency, increasing energy consumption and reducing heating performance. ambientAIR cleans, repairs or replaces LPHW coils to restore heating efficiency and reduce running costs.
Replacing old centrifugal fans with EC (Electronically Commutated) fans is one of the most impactful upgrades available as part of an AHU refurbishment. Traditional fixed speed fans run at the same speed regardless of demand, wasting energy during periods of lower occupancy. EC fans use variable speed control to match airflow to actual demand, delivering significant energy savings, lower noise levels and improved airflow control. ambientAIR's engineers are specifically trained in EC fan specification, installation and commissioning.
For AHUs with gas fired heating, gas burners provide the energy to heat the air being circulated. Over time, burners degrade, leading to reduced efficiency, higher gas consumption and potential safety concerns. ambientAIR services, repairs and replaces gas burners to restore heating performance and ensure safe, compliant operation.
The structural components of an AHU which includes the frame, panels and casing, can corrode, degrade and develop air leaks over time, reducing efficiency and potentially compromising safety. ambientAIR inspects and repairs the structural integrity of AHU frames and panels as part of a full refurbishment, ensuring the unit is sound, safe and operating correctly.
Upgrading the controls and sensors on an existing AHU can significantly improve system management, energy efficiency and performance. Modern controls allow temperatures, airflow and operating schedules to be adjusted automatically based on occupancy and demand, eliminating wasted energy and improving comfort for building occupants.
AHU refurbishment is worth considering for any commercial building where:
The existing AHU is ten or more years old
Energy consumption has increased without a clear explanation
Air quality or temperature control has deteriorated
The system has become noisy or unreliable
A full replacement has been quoted but feels disproportionate to the problem
The building has decarbonisation targets that require improved HVAC efficiency
AHU refurbishment is worth considering for any commercial building where:ambientAIR carries out full AHU assessments for commercial buildings across the UK, providing honest advice on whether refurbishment or replacement is the right course of action.
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Clear communication throughout, no surprises and delivery on schedule.
ambientAIR delivers AHU refurbishment projects across a wide range of commercial sectors throughout the UK, including:
Retail chains, supermarkets, gyms, leisure centres, restaurants, hotels, offices, warehouses, schools, universities, healthcare centres, care homes, shopping centres, pubs, sports facilities, community centres and car dealerships.
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