Small Duct/Small Air Handler Comfort Systems

Benefits of small duct/small air handler comfort systems in living spaces -Unico System provides excellent comfort characteristics whilst allowing maximum design freedom.

In the building and construction industry, few products really improve the quality of life of those living with them or using them.

Yet the Unico System, which is already widely accepted in the United States and Canada, is doing exactly that.

It is a central heating and/or cooling system using high-velocity air currents to provide near silent, draught free unobtrusive environmental control.

It provides a consistency and control that other systems cannot match.

Furthermore, with its almost limitless flexibility, contractors, architects and interior designers welcome the design freedom it offers.

It has become a favourite on housebuilding and DIY television shows too.

For decades, high velocity air-delivery comfort systems have been the preferred heating and cooling delivery system of architects in the United States when renovating older, architecturally unique buildings or when avoiding the clutter of traditional systems was a priority.

The design freedom it provides includes not having to leave wall space for radiators, or worry about pipework in every room.

The benefits of such a system fall into three groups: comfort, freedom of design and control.

Studies have shown showed that comfort levels were demonstrably better than those achieved with traditional installations.

With the high-velocity airflow system, rooms are draught-free, have an even temperature gradient and a more constant temperature range over time, without the deep cycles of temperature experienced with radiators.

There is only a one degree centigrade temperature variation between floor and ceiling with the Unico System, whilst with traditional radiators the difference can be as much as eight degrees centigrade.

The ability to incorporate both heating and cooling facilities through the same delivery system also makes for a far more flexible environment.

The lack of pipe clanking noise, experienced with hot water systems - or the fan noise associated with wide-duct or wall and ceiling hung air handling systems - makes the whisper-quiet operation an ideal choice of those specifying their own homes or living spaces.

The ability to hide the mini-ducting carrying the high-velocity airflow inside cavity walls, ceiling voids or even under-floor space means unencumbered design and fitting out are easily achieved.

The system has such low impact on the aesthetics of a structure, providing superior central heating and cooling while maintaining the integrity of look or design, it has become the leading central HVAC system used in historic preservation.

For developers it is an ideal solution for buildings that do not have existing ductwork, that have hot water or steam radiators, hot water or electric baseboard heating or other electric heating systems.

Small outlets are hardly noticed and are best mounted in ceilings near to walls, high in the wall or around room edges in the floor so can be blended in to the style and design of a room very easily.

In terms of its ability to be controlled, this kind of system does not only provide accurate room temperature compared with other methods, but it is able to remove up to 30% more moisture allowing humidity control.

This is particularly appropriate when delivering cooled or chilled air.

And, because it "pushes" streams of air into a room space, it eliminates hot or cold spots and unwanted convection currents.

There are five single applications for high-velocity narrow-duct systems and these can be combined for maximum flexibility.

These are heating by hot water, heating by electricity, standard cooling, cooling by chilled water and finally, a heat pump solution allowing heating or cooling on the same circuit.

There are many instances where a geothermal source has been used to provide both a heat source and dump cooling.

Applications for this system are endless.

Its flexibility and empathy with architecture have made it a popular choice for churches, older buildings, self-build, architect-designed homes and many offices and factories where delivery of a constant temperature is required.

It is also ideal for portable applications; trailers on the NASCAR tour, the aeroplane at Graceland and many other touring or stand alone structures have benefited from this unique solution.

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