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Air handling units

From efficient heat recovery and humidity control to supplying clean, fresh and comforting air across your building or swimming pool, our professional air handling units provide an ideal environment in many commercial and industrial applications such as leisure centres, cinemas, office buildings, shopping centres, restaurants and more. Discover our range of commercial air handling units and speak to an expert today.


Why choose air handling units?

Often installed outside large and densely populated buildings, air handling units, otherwise known as AHUs, are highly capable machines that are able to regulate all aspects of the indoor climate throughout a single facility.

From air quality and temperature to relative humidity, our solutions harness cutting-edge technology to minimise energy consumption while maximising occupant comfort.

Regulating an entire building’s climate is a complex task. What could take the use of several air-conditioners and heaters can instead be accomplished by a single, fit-for-purpose AHU.

To do this, fresh air from the outdoors is first drawn inside the system. With air flowing into the device, the in-built cooling and heating coils are tapped to provide fresh air at the right temperature. At the same time, EC fans move the conditioned air throughout the building.

To maximise energy saving, a number of our systems are able to repurpose heat energy from the warm, extracted air. This process is called heat recovery ventilation and it leverages the unique properties of heat exchangers to recycle this valuable energy, helping keep operating costs down.

While AHUs can benefit from the energy efficiency of heat recovery ventilation, treated fresh air units (TFAs) are unable to. This is because TFAs are designed to regulate inside conditions by using only outdoor air.

Although air handlers are optimally suited to renewing air quality and regulating climate throughout large facilities, each building will have different requirements.

An office, for example, may need to keep air quality and air temperature at comfortable levels. For a scenario like this, a more cost-effective commercial air handling unit would be fit for purpose.

A pool room, on the other hand, must control the presence of moisture and chemicals in the air. To capture and drain this excessive amount of water vapour, and handle the fluctuating levels of evaporation throughout a typical day, a more capable and specialist swimming pool air handling unit would be better suited.

Beyond the type of the unit itself, it’s also important to consider the air flow of a particular device. A unit too powerful would have a higher energy consumption, while a system that lacks the requisite air flow may not have the desired effect on improving indoor conditions.

To learn more about our full lineup of air handling equipment and get help choosing the solution best fit for your facility, get in touch with our expert team today.

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We believe in climate control built to your specifications

Every solution we deliver starts with a bespoke consultation. Our highly trained experts work to understand your unique requirements so you receive exactly what you need.

Manufactured in-house by our specialist engineers, we tailor solutions that meet your expectations, and instantly connect you with the right supplier.

Air handling units: Frequently Asked Questions

What is an air handling unit?

Air handling units, often referred to as AHUs, are large systems that supply clean, fresh and comfortable air to large commercial spaces, such as factories, warehouses and swimming pools.

Comprising several components, these solutions draw in outside air and filter it, heat it, or cool it – in line with the bespoke requirements of the building in question – before distributing this conditioned air inside. This provides a complete, end-to-end climate control system, keeping temperature, humidity and air quality at optimal levels.

How does an air handling unit work?

Air handling units are able to manage all aspects of the indoor climate and are tailored to the environment they are placed in, both in terms of how they operate and the elements of the climate they control.

However, these systems work by drawing in and conditioning outdoor air, before distributing it indoors. The in-built cooling and heating coils are tapped to provide this conditioned air at the right temperature, with EC fans spreading this throughout the space.

Furthermore, several of our systems are able to repurpose heat from the warm, extracted air through heat recovery ventilation, recycling this valuable energy to keep operating costs down.

These single systems can cover the role of several air coolers, heaters and dehumidifiers in one combined, all-encompassing solution.

What are the components of an air handling unit?

The specific components inside an AHU will vary depending on its application. But, these systems can often consist of casing, EC fans, heating and cooling coils, air filters, dehumidifiers, and mixing boxes.

Can an air handling unit improve indoor air quality?

Yes. Air handlers can effectively control all aspects of a building’s climate, including air quality. To do this, fit-for-purpose AHUs can draw in and filter outdoor air.

When and why would you use an air handling unit?

Instead of using a combination of smaller air-conditioning units, dehumidifiers and purifiers to create the ideal swimming environment indoors – a single fit-for-purpose air handler can be used to generate the greatest energy savings and withstand harsh environments, such as swimming pools and factories.

Is an air handling unit better than a dehumidifier?

This depends on the application. For a large indoor public swimming pool, an air handling unit able to control temperature, humidity, and the concentration of chlorine would be better suited to the constant challenging demands of the space.

If an office building needed to create a drier and healthier environment in a single room, a portable dehumidifier would better suit the smaller, constantly changing nature of this task.


At Dantherm Group, our decades of experience supporting the installation of climate control solutions worldwide means we can help you determine which is the most suitable solution for your environment. Speak to one of our experts and we’ll advise you on which system will deliver the results you’re looking for in the most efficient, cost-saving way

How do I choose the right size or type of air handling system I need?

Specifying the ideal air handling unit for your environment requires specialist knowledge and years of expertise. Our team of experts have both. Responsible for thousands of successful installations globally since 1958, we can advise you on the right solution and connect you with your nearest supplier.

What is the difference between an AHU and HVAC system?

Although the terms ‘AHU’ and ‘HVAC systems’ are often used interchangeably, there are key differences to note.

HVAC systems are responsible for managing indoor temperature and air quality through the control of interconnected climate control systems, such as air-conditioners, ducts and boilers.

Air handling units, on the other hand, are solutions specifically designed to condition air and meet the precise climatic needs of a space. As such, air handlers can be incorporated as part of a building’s wider HVAC system.

Can I buy your air handling units online?

For all of our air handlers, VAT-registered companies can get a quote very quickly by pressing 'I want to buy' and inserting their enquiry and contact details.

However, you cannot carry out the entire purchasing process on our website. We consult with you to specify and deliver a bespoke solution that meets your precise requirements. We will facilitate this when you use the 'I want to buy' button for the solution of your choice.

Can I bulk buy air handling units for a large project?

Yes, we can fulfil bulk orders across our range of air handling units for large, bespoke projects. Get in contact with our experts or go direct to your local Dantherm Group representative to discuss the exact needs of your project and how we can meet your requirements.

Can I speak to someone for technical advice to buy the right air handling unit?

At Dantherm Group, we pride ourselves on ensuring all solutions we supply are tailored to your precise needs. Our decades of experience and total control over the design and manufacture of our range of air handlers means we can provide you with bespoke, technical advice to ensure you receive the most efficient, effective and sustainable solution.

Reach out to our experts for a free, specialist consultation about your specifications so we can advise you on the most suitable AHU.

What is your delivery time for air handling units?

This depends. For some standard AHUs, as well as their accessories and consumables, we offer day-to-day delivery. Larger or more complex orders will likely have a longer lead time.

For detailed information on when you can expect to receive the solutions you are interested in, please reach out to your local Dantherm Group representative.

Do you sell air handling units to private individuals?

No. Dantherm Group air handling units included on this website are sold only to industry professionals directly.

Do you provide support, servicing and parts for these air handling units?

Yes. We have dedicated offices, suppliers and servicing partners based across Europe to provide timely, ongoing support across our entire range of AHUs. You can get in touch through our contact form and we will make sure your enquiry is handled by the office or service partner best suited to your needs.

We also have an extensive network of spare parts dealers throughout Europe, who are geared to provide you with a complete stock of spare parts for your solutions. We are committed to catering to your needs and getting you the required parts as quickly and easily as possible.

Air handling units: Featured Insights
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