Case study: Motors are one of the most important components in a vertical fan coil unit. It drives the fan, which provides all of the ventilation in a residential suite. Due to the regular use of the fan, it contributes a lot to vertical fan coil energy consumption….

As a building’s fan coil units age and deteriorate, the risks for flooding, mould, and diminished indoor air quality increases exponentially. As previously outlined in editorials and other content from our team, and a research study by the University of Toronto, below are three major areas of risk with aging fan coils.

According to Statistics Canada, the share of condominiums among newly built dwellings has increased five-fold since 1980 with as much as 30 per cent of residents in cities like Vancouver and Toronto residing in condos by 2016. For condos housing hundreds of residents, easily addressable leaks of some form can occur at any given moment, whether from a leaky faucet, drain, or appliance.

Vacationing and HVAC When leaving for a vacation, it can be easy to overlook the steps needed to prepare your home for temporary vacancy. You might ask a neighbor to pick up your mail, water your plants, and walk your dog, but home maintenance can fall by the wayside….

Some of the most common issues that bring awareness to larger FCU problems include inconsistent temperatures, motor noises, mechanical failure, odours, excessive condensate causing leaks and in bad situations, flooding and the worst, mould. These issues can create substantial problems for a condominium because an FCU is connected to other aspects of the building, including the riser systems, boilers, chillers and make-up air units, all of which control the overall indoor air comfort and quality.

We have all seen the tell-tale black spots on a wet towel not properly hung to dry or on a piece of cheese left in the fridge too long. We throw them away and go about our daily business picking up new cheese at the grocery store and new towels for beach season, but what would you do if you found mould growing inside the walls of your home or inside the equipment that heats, cools, and ventilates the air you breathe?

Age, improper care and/or minimal maintenance are common factors that lead your fan coil to negatively impact indoor air quality over time. Dirt, dust, pet hair and other particles build up in the fan coil and spread throughout your condo suite. In addition to this, older fan coils can contain mould. As we all know, mould and airborne particles can be very hazardous to your health. Don’t just take our word for it, The University of Toronto published a report on the effects of mould growth in fan coil units.