‘How long will it last?’ will be one of the questions that springs to mind when you are investing in an air handling unit and considering the budget. The answer is that it all depends on several key factors – design and build quality, installation and how well you maintain it. 

What complicates the question further is that different parts of the air handling unit may have a longer lifespan than others. Each feature has its own life expectancy depending on the care and the brand. In general this is between 5 and 20 years. Ductwork and ventilation should last a long time; dehumidifiers and humidifiers, fans, motors, coils and controls are dependent on maintenance; whereas insulation should last around 100 years!  Filter replacement is measured in weeks or a few months.

 

Factors which can affect the lifespan

There also other factors which can affect the lifespan of your air handling unit, including:

  • Making sure that the AHU meets industry standards
  • Intensity of use
  • The quality of the AHU, its installation, commissioning and maintenance
  • Where the AHU is located
  • Any exposure to the outside environmental elements
  • The type of ductwork alongside the AHU
  • Climatic conditions
  • The size of the AHU compared to the needs/use/requirements

 

What maintenance does an air handling unit need? 

When we talk about maintenance we are factoring in:

✔ Seasonal servicing

✔ The filters being replaced on average every 1-3 months 

✔ Refrigerant insulation checks and replacement

✔ The unit being cleaned regularly inside and out and cleared of debris

 

When this maintenance is factored in, an air handling unit will last for 25 years plus. Without any maintenance the estimate would be 1-5 year lifespan. 

As long as you are maintaining your air handling unit well — with regular maintenance and servicing — the system should last a long time. Some people choose to upgrade their air handling unit as time goes by. 

small air handling unit

Air handling unit refurbishment

For a cost-effective option, you can look to refurbish your system, instead of replacing it.

There are numerous benefits, which include:

  • Energy saving
  •  Improved plant efficiency
  •  Minimum disruption
  • A green solution
  • The reduced cost over a new plant

 

When should I replace the air handling unit?

Ideally, replace the air handling unit before the end of its life expectancy, otherwise the AHU’s failure will potentially cost the business, particularly if it is used in ventilation critical applications. 

For peace of mind, make sure that the air handling equipment is well-designed when you buy it and expertly installed and maintained regularly from the start. Then you won’t have to worry about any surprise costs. 

 

Interested to find out more?

There is a huge range of air handling equipment available along with maintenance and refurbishment services — just give us a call on 01494 525342 and we can give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about purchasing, upgrading, maintenance and refurbishment.