Customization: How Polar Air Meets Your Needs
Customization is a key aspect of Polar Air’s approach to HVAC solutions. Our ability to tailor fan coil units to the specific requirements of each project is a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation. By understanding the unique demands of engineers, architects, contractors, and specifiers, we deliver solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations.
Through examples of our projects and a detailed look at our customization process, this article will highlight how Polar Air addresses the growing need for customized HVAC systems in today’s dynamic industry.
Importance of Fan Coil Customization in HVAC
The global fan coil unit market, valued at approximately USD 4.69 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% from 2024 to 2032 [1]. These figures highlight the significant and increasing demand for fan coil units globally, underscoring the importance of customization in today’s dynamic HVAC industry.
Customization is not just a luxury but sometimes a necessity as engineers, architects, contractors, and specifiers all seek solutions that cater to their projects’ unique demands. The increasing market size and growth rates reflect the industry’s shift towards tailored solutions that meet specific project requirements, ensuring optimal performance and customer satisfaction.
HVAC Customization Benefits
Standard solutions provided by other manufacturers often fall short in terms of addressing specific needs. The ability and flexibility for a fan coil manufacturer to customize their products is crucial for several reasons:
Enhanced Performance and Efficiency:
Custom fan coil units can be optimized for energy efficiency and sustainability, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Adaptability to Existing Infrastructure:
Custom units can integrate seamlessly with existing HVAC systems, which is vital for retrofit projects with specific spatial constraints.
Regulatory Compliance:
Customization ensures products meet local energy efficiency and environmental standards, avoiding legal and safety issues.
Industry-Specific Applications:
Customized fan coils are essential in industries like medical, military, aerospace, and renewable energy, meeting unique requirements effectively.
Design Requirements:
Adapting units for unique architectural designs or specific aesthetic requirements.
Future-Proofing:
Custom units can be designed with future upgrades and expansions in mind, ensuring longevity and adaptability to evolving needs.
Polar Air Customization Options
At Polar Air, we pride ourselves on our flexibility to adapt and customize our fan coil units to the specific requirements of various applications, from residential to industrial. However, please note that all customization options are subject to minimum order quantities and depend on our factory’s capability to meet these specialized requests.
Row Configurations
- Adding rows to achieve more dehumidification in tropical climates or industrial applications.
- Exchanging the sequence of coils to achieve higher heating capacity in 4-pipe units.*
* Instead of the standard air movement first through the cooling coil and then through the heating coil for cooling/dehumidification and then reheating the air, it is possible to have add more rows in the heating coil.
Connection Configurations
- Pre-select the connection and condensate the drainage side (left or right) for each unit.
- Coil positioning flexibility (cooling on one side and heating on the other).
Unit Dimensions
- Adapting unit dimensions to the space restrictions of a project, whilst maintaining the technical performance and capacities. Ideal for retrofit projects.
Color
- Changing the casing color for non-ducted/decorative units:
Ideal for design-conscious projects that need specific or different aesthetics.
Air Return & Supply Direction
- Multiple air return and supply airflow configurations.
- Create plenums or elbows for the same purpose.
Electrical Connections
- Extending sensors cables to detach the control box from the unit.
- Control box repositioning.
- Extending the Wallpad cables for installation needs.
- Pre-installed electrical plugs.
Component Repositioning
- Adapt the drain pan, coil, or motor-fan assembly access to facilitate easier maintenance.
- Conceal valves or other components for better aesthetics.
Hydraulic Connection Kit
- Adapting control valves, water quality, and piping connections for maintenance-commissioning.
Horizontal to Vertical Application (vice versa)
- Adapting installation position from horizontal to vertical (and vice versa).
- Adapting the upflow or downflow discharge.
Polar Air Customization Process
Our customization process is designed to ensure precision, efficiency, and client satisfaction. It includes three key phases:
1. Feasibility Study
During this initial phase, we conduct a thorough analysis of the project’s requirements and challenges.
This includes assessing the feasibility of customization, determining minimum order quantities (MOQ), and aligning engineering specifications.
This phase typically takes around 2 to 4 weeks.
2. Approval
In the approval phase, we create detailed technical drawings of the units and help clients select the appropriate products.
We work closely with the client to review and confirm the specifications to ensure alignment with their needs, ensuring any necessary amends or last-minute requirements are taken care of.
This phase typically takes around 2 to 4 weeks.
3. Mockup
We produce a sample unit and ship it to the designated site for client approval.
Once the client approves the sample, the project forms part our standard production schedule.
This phase ensures that the final product meets all client specifications before mass production.
This phase typically takes around 6 to 8 weeks.
Polar Air Customization Examples
At Polar Air, we have successfully met diverse customization requests. Here are some examples:
Travis Park Project
Austin, TX
Residential Retrofit
Challenge
- Retrofit residential application (nursing home apartments) with restrictive spatial requirements within ceilings.
- Access to enter the apartments was challenging, considering the resident’s care needs, therefore they required flexibility with the units for installation and a solution that would allow them to solve installation issues on site.
Solution
- Unit width was adjusted to less than 19” to ensure a perfect fit within each apartment.
- Air return was configured from bottom, along with bottom drain pan access for easier maintenance in the future.
- Extended sensors cables were added to each unit, allowing the contractor to switch the side of the control box easily. This was in case they ordered incorrect handings (side where the pipe connections are), so instead of waiting for new components which would cause delays and further disturbance to the residents, they could complete installation during the first attempt.
Condo Complex Project
New York, NY
Residential Retrofit
Challenge
- Retrofit residential application for a low-income condominium complex, where there are restricted spatial requirements.
- Necessary to prevent residents from tampering with the normally visible accessible valve package.
Solution
- Created an extended casing box to house the valve package, concealing it to suit aesthetic design requirements of the application, and ensuring resident safety by preventing access and subsequent interference.
Student Accommodation
Queensland, Australia
Residential New Construction
Challenge
- Project has limited space for units, and a ceiling access panel for the units needed to be built which would have been costly.
Solution
- To simplify installation and due to limited space at the front, the metal panel of the unit has been extended by 30mm on all sides.
- Since there is no ceiling panel available for access, this modification allows service access directly through the metal panel.
- Additionally, the chilled water connections and electrical components are positioned on opposite sides, so removing the panel will provide full access to all key components.
Polar Air’s commitment to customization enables us to meet the unique challenges and needs of diverse HVAC applications. By providing tailored solutions, we empower engineers, architects, designers, installers, contractors, and specifiers to achieve optimal performance and satisfaction in their projects. Whether it’s retrofitting an office building, designing a luxury hotel, or upgrading an industrial facility, our expert team is ready to deliver customized HVAC solutions that exceed expectations.
Polar Air provides comprehensive support from feasibility studies to post-installation, ensuring a smooth and successful project execution. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve the perfect indoor climate for your project through customization.
