Age significantly affects the performance of fan coil units, primarily due to wear and tear as well as technological obsolescence. Fan coil units that are over 20 years old often require replacement or retrofitting.
How does age affect fan coil unit performance?
While property managers often implement strategies to mitigate the impact of outdated equipment through various methods such as reserve fund studies, engineering analysis and AGM Town Hall Meetings, it is crucial to recognize that the consequences of aging systems can affect the entire building common element and fi. Continuous education and communication among property managers and condo board members are essential to ensure that timely decisions are made, preventing costly and unnecessary repairs down the line.
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The decline in performance that comes with age is noticeable in several ways:
- Reduced Efficiency: Older fan coil units have to work harder to maintain performance, leading to increased energy consumption and higher operational costs.
- Uneven Temperature and Airflow: As efficiency decreases, airflow distribution becomes uneven, and temperature readings become inaccurate. This forces residents to make frequent adjustments to achieve their desired comfort level, further driving up energy consumption.
- Increased Repair & Maintenance Costs: Aging fan coils typically require more frequent and costly repair & maintenance to keep them running.
- Risk of Flooding: Rusted drain pans and failing components in older units pose a risk of water damage, which could lead to increased insurance premiums for both the corporation and individual owners.
- Impact on Air Quality: Older units may also negatively affect indoor air quality, potentially triggering allergies or other respiratory issues.
- Noise Issues: As units age, they tend to become noisier, disturbing the occupants of the building.
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Why is education on fan coils needed?
In some buildings, responsibility for service, repair, or replacement of fan coil units or other equipment may vary depending on condo bylaws. In the Toronto GTA area, for example, the responsibility is often divided, with 30% of the buildings typically fan coil units are the corporation responsibility and 70% of the buildings individual owners responsibility. Unfortunately, many residents mistakenly assume that anything behind the wall is the condo corporation’s responsibility—until they are unexpectedly faced with the cost of repairs.
Understanding these responsibilities is crucial for both property managers and condo owners to ensure smooth operations and avoid financial surprises. Educating all parties about their respective obligations can help prevent confusion and encourage proactive maintenance, ensuring a more efficient and harmonious living environment.
What solutions exist for ageing fan coils?
There are various fan coil replacement solutions available on the market. Here, we discuss two options that are minimally intrusive and require little to no modifications to your condo’s existing footprint.
Fan Coil Refurbishment
Replacing and reusing the old fan coil units parts with new, energy-efficient components or upgrading parts of the existing unit can extend the life of the existing unit by up to 10 years. Fan Coil Refurbishment improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and overall system performance. This option can help resolve a range of issues, including:
- Energy Consumption: Older units often consume more power, increasing utility bills. New units are designed to be much more energy-efficient, lowering costs over time.
- Indoor Air Quality & Allergies: Newer models come equipped with better filtration systems, which can help reduce allergens and improve air quality.
- Noise Reduction: New fan coils operate more quietly, enhancing tenant comfort.
- Improved Temperature & Airflow Control: Modern systems provide more consistent and accurate temperature regulation, making indoor environments more comfortable.
- Reduced Maintenance Costs: With a new unit, maintenance requirements decrease significantly, reducing long-term upkeep costs.
Retrofitting & Replacing The Existing Fan Coil Units:
Fan Coil Retrofit involves replacing all mechanical and electrical components of an old fan coil unit with brand-new, high-efficiency technology. This process upgrades the internal components of the fan coil unit, such as motors, coils, drain pans, thermostats, electrical boxes, and low-voltage wiring, with more modern, energy-efficient alternatives. Additionally, the cabinet is completely emptied and reinsulated with non-fiberglass insulation, which offers better microbial and mold resistance compared to traditional fiberglass.
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Fan Coil Removal & Installation:
The entire fan coil retrofit installation process takes about 8 hours from start to finish, ensuring minimal disruption to your building’s daily operations.
By opting for a fan coil retrofit, you can extend the lifespan of your HVAC system while enhancing its efficiency, comfort, and overall performance—at a fraction of the cost of full replacement.
This retrofit can also integrate smart control systems like WIFI Ecobee or Nest, allowing property managers and residents to control the system remotely and improve overall energy management. Furthermore, advanced features like audible water float sensors can be added to alert residents in case of water leaks inside the fan coil unit, preventing costly water damage.
One key advantage of a fan coil retrofit is that the new components are designed to fit directly into the existing cabinet, making installation seamless and minimizing damage to the drywall. This ensures a hassle-free upgrade with minimal disruption to your property.
| Feature/Benefit | Fan Coil Retrofit | Fan Coil Refurbishment |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ❌ Higher initial cost | ✔️ Lower initial cost |
| Energy Efficiency | ✔️ High improvement | ✔️ Moderate improvement |
| Indoor Air Quality | ✔️ Improved with modern systems | ✔️ Improved with new filters |
| Noise Reduction | ✔️ Significant reduction | ✔️ Moderate reduction |
| Extended System Life | ✔️ New 25 Years of life | ✔️ Up to 10 more years |
| Temperature & Airflow Control | ✔️ Highly improved | ✔️ Improved with new components |
| Maintenance Costs | ✔️ Reduced long-term costs | ✔️ Reduced over time |
| Disruption During Installation | ✔️ Low disruption (8 hours) | ✔️ Moderate disruption (6 Hours) |
| Integration with Smart Control Systems | ✔️ Easily integrated (e.g., Ecobee, Nest) | ❌ Can be added |
| Risk of Future Failures | ✔️ Minimal risk (new parts) | ❌ Some risk of remaining old parts |
| Environmental Impact | ❌ Removal & disposal more expensive | ✔️ More sustainable (reuse existing parts) |
How Home Trade Standards Can Help:
Home Trade Standards specializes in assisting property managers and condo corporations with the retrofitting process. Our expert team ensures that your fan coil retrofit is completed efficiently and effectively, enhancing the performance and longevity of your HVAC system. Contact Home Trade Standards today for expert advice and service to bring your fan coil units up to modern standards.
📞 Contact Us Today
Kevin Moeini – Business Development Manager
Home Trade Standards – Condo HVAC Specialists – Serving Toronto & GTA
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 416-736-7001
