Difference Between AHU and HVAC

AHU vs HVAC

What are AHU and HVAC? AHU, which is Air Handling Unit is an appliance used to circulate air. HVAC is Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning system. HVAC is the central unit to which AHU is connected. AHU is only a part of HVAC and as such there is hardly any difference between then two.

HVAC mainly refers to the technology of automotive environmental comfort. The Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning system uses the principles of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer. The discoveries of by Michael faraday, Nikolay Lvov, Reuben Trane, William Rankine Wills Carrier, James Joule and Sadi Carnot among others had paved the way for Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning system.

HVAC comes in medium to large designs. HVAC is used to condition the atmosphere in industrial houses, skyscrapers and aquariums.

Air Handling Unit is a large metal box that conditions the air, which helps in creating a perfect atmosphere. Blower/fan, Heating and/or cooling elements, Filters, Humidifier, Mixing chamber, Heat recovery device, Controls, Vibration isolators are some of the components that make a AHU. Air Handling Unit comes in three types. The Mall air handlers or terminal units are used for local use They mainly consist of coil, air filter and blower. Then there is the Make up Air Unit, which is larger air handler. The third one is the Roof Top Unit, which is mainly used for outdoor use. It is mainly fitted n the roof of a building.

As AHU is only part of HVAC, it can be hard to make out a difference between the two. As seen earlier, one system is part of another system and hard to differentiate them.

Summary
1. AHU is Air Handling Unit. HVAC is Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning system.
2. HVAC is the central unit to which AHU is connected. AHU is only a part of HVAC.
3. HVAC comes in medium to large designs. HVAC is used to condition the atmosphere in industrial houses, skyscrapers and aquariums.
4. Air Handling Unit is a large metal box that conditions the air, which helps in creating a perfect atmosphere.
5. Air Handling Unit comes in three types — Mall Air Handlers Make up Air Unit and Roof Top Unit.
6. As AHU is only part of HVAC, it can be hard to make out a difference between the two.

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