Chilled beam is not just the name of a product, it is one of about a dozen HVAC systems a design engineer can apply to meet the needs of the building.
The passive chilled beam concept was developed in 1979 By Farex (the precursor to Swegon) and launched in 1984. In 1987 Farex launched the active chilled beam which today is the most common type of beam. Chilled beams have been in use for over 30 years in thousands of projects around the world.
There is no perfect HVAC system that can meet the needs of all building types in all climate zones. What chilled beam systems can offer are:
- Superior comfort and sound levels
- High Indoor Air Quality
- Simple to design, install and commission
- Architecturally pleasing
- Reduced airflow to spaces compared to conventional VAV systems
- Smaller mechanical rooms
- Reduced ceiling plenums
- Reduced energy cost
- Low maintenance
- Future flexibility (re-purposing)
Chilled beam systems work best in applications with high sensible heat ratios and controlled building envelopes. They work well in all climate zones and in both new and retrofit construction where their small space requirements are beneficial.
