A terminal unit is an outlet in ductwork that supplies air to a room. It can have heating and cooling coils and is installed by a technician. The size and placement of the unit must be considered for efficiency. Unused ductwork can be closed off, and cleaning is necessary to reduce dust and bacteria.
A terminal unit is an outlet in ductwork to allow air to be supplied to an environment such as a room. The terminal unit draws on the ducts with a fan to push the air out of the ducts at varying speeds to control the environment. Terminal units may also have integrated heating and cooling coils, depending on the installation. A technician installs these components of a heating and cooling system during the initial system setup process. If changes need to be made in the future, the technician can go back to moving or cutting the end units.
Duct planning is considered when a technician prepares to install an end unit. The drive must be the right size for the application. The technician considers the size of the ductwork, the room connected to the terminal unit and other factors to install the right size unit. Units can be made with fans and sheet metal, or a generic size and shape terminal unit can be ordered from a manufacturer. Pipeline manufacturers often produce matching terminal units for convenience.
Ductwork typically divides a facility into thermal zones, with a terminal unit in each zone for temperature control. In cases where a thermal zone is unusually large, multiple units can be installed to keep the temperature stable. The placement of the air terminal unit must be carefully considered for maximum efficiency and, as the area around the outlet must remain unobstructed, the technician should also consider the least awkward option for placement.
In case of renovation and retrofit, it may be necessary to move the terminal units. Unused sections of ductwork can be closed off so that air does not flow through them, and a technician can create new connections and branches to meet the needs of the remodel. In cases where a building is significantly expanded, the engineer may have to refit the entire duct system to accommodate the change in size; narrow ducts designed to circulate enough air for a small space won’t be up to the job of a radically larger one, or the airflow may not be efficient after the remodel.
A terminal unit commonly has a grille over the impeller to keep material out of the ducts and reduce the risk of injury from hitting the impeller. Periodically, a technician or cleaner should remove the grate for cleaning. While it is exposed, the fan and duct can also be cleaned. Reducing dust in ducts increases safety and keeps the air fresh and clean. In rare cases, bacteria can colonize the ducts when kept warm and moist, and a deeper cleaning may be required.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
