Modular Benefits

Many of the United CoolAir product offerings have been designed as a modular concept. This provides a number of benefits for the indoor applications of our units. The result is a Unique Comfort Solution.

No Building Modifications Required

The modular sections have been designed with standard door width and height in mind. The modules can be taken through doors and placed into service elevators to get them to where the installation is being made. This means that walls or windows do not have to be removed to get the units inside. Typically standard material moving equipment or methods can be utilized. This is important as an installed cost advantage and should be a consideration beyond first cost of the equipment.

Positioning Unit Easier

When a horizontal type unit is being installed, consideration must be made about how the unit will be raised into the ceiling plenum area. This area may have obstacles to be taken into consideration, such as wiring, phone cables, water pipes, etc. The size and weight of a modular section means that it will be easier to position, compared with attempting to lift and position a larger full package unit.

Resealable Refrigerant Fittings

Since 1988 United CoolAir has incorporated resealable refrigerant fittings into the refrigerant circuits. This means that modular units can be factory charged with refrigerant. The units can be shipped split from the factory or they can be split in the field without losing the refrigerant charge, moved into position and re-assembled as a single package application. These modular “sealed” systems mean that no brazing, evacuation or refrigerant charging needs to be accomplished in the field. This is important as an installed cost advantage and should be a consideration beyond first cost of the equipment.

Flexibility

The modular design approach allows the basic unit sections to be used as a split system or as a single package system. This standardization is beneficial from a manufacturing stand point in that the standard sheet metal can be fabricated and stocked which helps provide reasonable lead-times. Additionally, if the unit is water-cooled, the water-cooled condensing section can be moved to an area where any water leaks won’t damage any equipment that may be in the space below the unit.

Field Labor Savings

The modular approach provides the opportunity to ship the units from the factory as a package unit or split. If the package unit needs to be split in order to facilitate getting it into the building it is advantageous for the factory to ship the unit split. This means that field labor will not be required to separate the sections. In some cases, when the system will be installed as a split system, the contractor prefers to get the unit shipped on separate skids. This makes it easier to get the units to the desired locations (reduced equipment handling).

Standardized Design

The standardized design allows for different configurations. Components have been selected to balance not only with a matched section, but also with other sections. For example, a dual circuit condensing section can be used to serve two independently operated evaporators. Evaporators can also be “mix matched” from two different product types (i.e. a horizontal evaporator for one zone and a ceiling grid evaporator for the other zone).

Lower Weights

The modules will weigh less than a single package unit. This makes moving it into position easier. In addition, standard equipment and methods can be utilized which means no special equipment, rigging or crews need to be employed. This is also beneficial if there is a weight limitation on any elevators that may need to be used to get the equipment to a different floor. This is important as an installed cost advantage and should be a consideration beyond first cost of the equipment.

Scheduling

In some situations when a split system is being installed it is an advantage that the modules can be installed when necessary to suit the construction schedule. This is also beneficial from a damage, or lack thereof, standpoint. In some cases it is not desirable to be installing a mechanical piece of equipment if dust and debris could cause damage to the module.

Module Tailoring

It is possible to tailor one module of a unit and not have to incur additional costs to modify the entire unit. Air paths can be changed on the evaporator section to meet a specific application requirement, such as existing duct work. In other situations the condensing section may require several additional refrigerant circuit components. This can be accomplished without affecting the evaporator design and fabrication.

All or just some of these benefits may be a consideration for a project. Some benefits provide installed cost advantages. However, in some cases this allows for a unit to be tailored for a specific application which means a standard commodity type unit does not have to be forced into the application. This can result in less than desirable performance and more costs in the long run.