Making AHUs more efficient depends on reducing static pressure. Although manufacturing larger AHUs may solve the problem theoretically, that option is impractical due to space constraints of equipment rooms and square footage utilization values in commercial buildings.
Instead, using customized AHUs comprised of fans and fan arrays that feature the most advanced technology, along with optimized components and configurations, allow buildings to minimize energy and HVAC maintenance costs.
By focusing on total cost of ownership rather than on system cost, and by factoring high energy efficiency and minimal system upkeep into airside equipment maintenance budgets over the long term, building owners will realize the benefits of investing in custom AHUs rather than in standard options that may be less expensive in the short term.
According to the 2011 Efficiency Indicator Survey administered by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering and others, cutting annual energy consumption costs by $200,000-$300,000 can have the same benefit to cash flow as generating $10 million or $15 million in revenue. So, allocating resources to programs and equipment that reduce energy costs is a wise use of capital which provides a relatively quick return-on-investment.