Part One: What Is a Fan Coil System? Everything Condo Residents Should Know

If you live in a condominium, chances are your heating and cooling comes from something called a fan coil system. These systems are compact, efficient, and widely used in multi-unit buildings—but they’re often misunderstood. In this post, we’ll break down what a fan coil system is, how it works, and the different design types that may affect your comfort and energy efficiency.

What Is a Fan Coil System?

A fan coil unit (FCU) is a device that uses a fan to blow air across a coil filled with hot or cold water. That air is then pushed into your suite to provide heating or cooling. It’s part of a larger centralized HVAC system, where water is heated or chilled in the building’s mechanical room and then distributed to individual units via pipes.

Each suite has its own in-suite fan coil unit, which gives residents control over their room temperature through a thermostat.

Fan coil systems typically include:

• A fan to circulate air
• A coil with hot or cold water
• An actuator and valve to control water flow
• An air filter
• A drain pan to remove condensation during cooling
• A thermostat to set your preferred temperature

Draw-Through vs Blow-Through (Pull-Through) Design

Fan coils are often categorized by how air flows through the system:

Draw-Through (Pull-Through):

• The fan pulls air across the coil.
• Tends to provide more even airflow and better thermal performance.
• Often quieter, as the fan is downstream from the coil.
• Slightly more efficient in delivering conditioned air.

Blow-Through (Push-Through):

• The fan pushes air across the coil.
• Can be slightly noisier and may cause uneven temperature distribution.
• Sometimes used in older or cost-sensitive installations.

Motor Above Coil vs Motor Below Coil

Motor Above the Coil:

• The fan motor is placed above the water coil.
• Reduces risk of water-related damage to the motor from condensation or leaks.
• Often easier to maintain and service without shutting off water supply.
• This is the preferred setup in most modern buildings.

Motor Below the Coil:

• The motor sits underneath the water coil.
• More vulnerable to water damage from condensation buildup or leaks.
• Can be more difficult to service safely, especially if the coil needs to be drained.

2-Pipe vs 4-Pipe Fan Coil Systems

2-Pipe System:

• One set of pipes provides either heating or cooling depending on the season.
• The entire building switches modes at the same time, typically in spring and fall.
• Limitation: If it gets hot in early spring, you might be stuck with heating until the building changes over.

4-Pipe System:

• Two separate pairs of pipes allow for simultaneous heating and cooling.
• Residents can get warm or cool air on demand, regardless of the season.
• More flexible and comfortable, but also more expensive to install and maintain.

Why Fan Coil Systems Matter for Condo Residents

Fan coils offer an energy-efficient and space-saving HVAC solution, but knowing the type of system you have helps with:

• Troubleshooting issues faster
• Communicating with technicians or management
• Making informed decisions if you're buying or renting a unit

Stay tuned for Part 2 in our series, where we’ll break down common fan coil problems and what they mean.