Giving aging HVAC new life

By Emma Peterson. 

How air handler renewal extends HVAC system life without full replacement. 

HVAC systems are expensive with commercial replacements for large campuses – healthcare, education and manufacturing – being up to $45,000 in some areas. Because of this often steep cost, many facility managers and building owners look for alternatives to replacing their aging equipment – alternatives like air handler renewal. 

Air handler renewal or HVAC restoration is the process of renewing, replacing and refurbishing air handler units (AHUs) rather than replacing the entire system. This is a bit of a complex process, as AHUs are sophisticated mechanical equipment, however it is substantially cheaper and less time consuming than a full HVAC system replacement.  

The cost of an air handler renewal project depends on the size of your system, the age of the mechanical elements and the type of building the unit is in. It is recommended to work with a team that offers total project management for the process as bringing in multiple trades can increase project cost and timeline.  

If you’re looking for an air handler renewal professional to work on your building, a great resource is WTI’s PureAir Services. Their team manages the entire process of refurbishing aging equipment, providing that total project management: 

1. The process begins with a scope of work assessment and then moves into deep cleaning. The WTI team’s cleaning practices utilize a propriety process – the PURE-Steam process – which sees the coils, blower motor assembly and cabinet interior deep cleaned.  
2. Once the cleaning is completed, the team moves on to refurbishing the metal components of the system, such as the drain pan. These are primed and refinished with high performance coatings. 
3. The final step is mechanical upgrades, which are overseen by WTI’s in-house mechanical engineer (who is licensed in all 50 states). These upgrades are determined during that initial scope assessment and can include replacement/retrofit of fan arrays, fiberglass insulation, drain pans, coils, dampers, access doors and filter racks. 

At the end of the process, the building’s HVAC system will have been given new life and the work will be covered under a best-in-class five-year warranty! 

Learn more about HVAC restoration today!