by Unico Marketing Team | Jun 14, 2023 | Custom Homes, Design Flexibility, Older Homes, Space-Saving Solutions
The answer to this question is: No. In fact, high velocity heating air conditioning systems are built to be whisper quiet. Noise from a high velocity air conditioner typically occurs when a system is improperly installed.
A small duct high velocity (SDHV) air conditioning system is the quieter alternative to both split systems and traditional ducted systems. Our Experienced high velocity air conditioning contractors (like Unico Preferred Contractors) are trained on proper SDHV installation systems and can quickly diagnose and fix system noise problems.
Quiet Duct Work
SDHV air conditioner systems use small, flexible supply tubing, rather than the large ductwork found in traditional HVAC units, making SDHV perfect for custom homes.
Unlike traditional ductwork, the flexible supply tubing of The Unico System is wrapped in special sound-absorbing insulation. This special insulation (sometimes called sound attenuators or duct silencers) and a porous inner lining create a thick, padded barrier that prevents sound from escaping and groaning when the system cools the air. The design also has naturally built-in shock absorption that prevents the high velocity air from causing vibrations.
Silent Under High Static Pressure
Traditional ducted AC systems are ridged and bulky. Air pushed through large ducts stress them and causes them to vibrate. That’s the hum you hear throughout a house with a traditional AC system.
High velocity ductwork is designed to function under high static pressure. The tubing is made with nylon, which is then wrapped with insulation, and finally wrapped with an outer vapor barrier to reduce thermal loss. This creates multiple layers of padding, adding to the sound absorption and reducing noise.
For particularly large rooms, Unico Preferred Contractors (UPCs) typically include 12 feet of sound attenuator for each air supply tube. For smaller spaces, contractors can select sound attenuator in 3-foot sections and inserted wherever additional sound absorption is desired.
Avoid HVAC System Choking
To ensure quiet performance, ducts and outlets need enough space for proper airflow, otherwise tight choke points will cause noise. At each outlet, our UPCs are trained to leave a 6-inch turn radius or use a Unico 90-degree outlet. Ducts will be free of choke points and air flows evenly throughout a home, which reduces noise. The greater the radius near the outlet, the quieter the run will be.
Noise-Free with Draft-Free Cooling
Homeowners with high velocity heating and cooling don’t experience HVAC system noise because of the SDHV system outlet size. Traditional large-ducted systems require vents 5 inches wide and up to 30 inches long, from which air is dumped into the room without circulating. But a small duct, high velocity system only needs round outlets that are 2-2 ½ inches in diameter. With a few of these small outlets in a room, air flows evenly, and the system gently releases cooled air without blasting.
When noise does occur with a SDHV system, a common problem is something obstructing the air flow either inside or outside the outlet. Like the airflow of any central air system, high velocity air conditioning needs unobstructed outlets to operate properly. This will help the overall comfort of the home as it will allow the air to better circulate, creating more even temperatures.
Advantages of Tuning the System
A Small Duct High Velocity System from Unico also has another advantage. Through the use of EC motor / blower technology the Unico System can have its airflow “tuned” or optimized for efficiency and sound levels desired by the home or business owner.
Interested in high velocity air conditioning in your home? Find a Unico Preferred Contractor near you for a free quote and to learn more about AC noise reduction.
by Unico Marketing Team | Jun 12, 2023 | Custom Homes, Design Flexibility, Older Homes, Space-Saving Solutions
Small duct, high velocity (SDHV hvac) air conditioner systems, like the Unico System, are a smart way of adding modern A/C to homes that don’t have the room for the large ductwork associated with traditional AC units. Small duct high-velocity hvac systems do not require extensive build-out and will not disrupt your home’s original interior or exterior. They also quietly deliver conditioned air through flexible supply tubes at a higher static pressure or velocity, and here’s how.
The Unico System is extremely quiet because of its special sound-absorbing insulation supply tubing. The tube’s core is made with nylon, which is then wrapped with insulation, to absorb sound, and finally wrapped with an outer vapor barrier to stop moisture and also to reduce thermal loss. The supply tubes are often referred to as sound attenuators, or duct silencers, due to the sound-deadening properties of the duct. We insulate our air handler and use vibration pads on the system to reduce vibration and add extra sound absorption. This is how we ensure quiet operation. In most cases, people don’t even notice the system is running. Use our audio tool to experience the quiet of the Unico System.
In addition to absorbing sound for a quiet operation, space saving hvac systems, like the Unico System, delivers uniform temperature air without creating drafts. The Unico System blowers exceed the U.S. Department of Energy requirements for SDHV A/C systems requiring a minimum external static pressure of 1.2 inches of water (0.3 kPa) at the rated airflow when installed with the compatible Unico cooling module. All cooling modules are available in Heat Pump, Chilled Water, and refrigerant configurations.
Find a contractor near you to learn if Unico’s small duct, high-velocity system is right for your home!
by Unico Marketing Team | Jun 8, 2023 | Design Flexibility, Limited Space, Older Homes
Looking at installing ductwork in an older home, but don’t want to renovate the whole house? A small duct system can be installed in an old home without tearing up walls or putting in dropped ceilings. Its efficient, compact design is made to fit small spaces in homes without existing ductwork.
Making It Fit
Old homes aren’t always the most spacious. Small rooms and lack of closet space are common characteristics of past residential architecture. Minimizing the use of new ductwork, especially if you want to keep the current footprint, is why the Unico System works so well.
Unico’s small duct system was engineered with small spaces in mind. The Unico System ducts are a quarter of the size of traditional ductwork and easily fit inside standard wall cavities. Unico small ducts are designed to fit your home, instead of large ductwork that changes your home.
How Small Ducts Are Installed
When you’re retrofitting a house with air conditioning, the idea of installing ductwork in an older home might sound like a major construction project. That doesn’t have to be the case. Unico ducts are small enough to fit in existing walls and ceilings. They’re also flexible, so they can be threaded through spaces and adapt where needed.
The Unico System air handling unit is small enough to be installed in an attic or other out-of-the-way space. Unico ductwork seals with an airtight fit, making sure 100% of the air moves from the central unit throughout the house. Plus, the flexible ducts are made with a nylon core and insulated, preventing thermal loss and maintaining comfortable temperatures in every room in your home.
Whisper Quiet Operation
Because the nylon core is insulated, it’s naturally sound absorbent. Compared to other types of air conditioning systems, Unico is whisper quiet.
Take traditional ducting. Wide, metal traditional ducts are basically echo chambers, so when the system kicks on, that noise is amplified as it’s carried along the air stream. Mini split and ductless systems are noisy, too. With Unico, the air handler can be installed in the attic, but mini split systems are mounted on the wall in every room and will always be operating nearby.
Unico systems are not only designed to absorb sound but can also be customized with additional methods of reducing potential noise. Sound attenuators can be added to reduce vibration. If you’re still experiencing noise, ask your local Unico Preferred Contractor (UPC) about adjusting the layout. Check out the Unico Quiet Guide for other ways your UPC can help.
Ready-to-Install
Unico’s small duct system is customized to your needs, so you already have the space you need for installing ductwork in an older home. You don’t have to renovate. Unico can be installed to fit your home, so contact our Design Services team for more information.
by Unico Marketing Team | Jun 7, 2023 | Partnerships, Press Releases
The Unico System begins a new partnership with Brent Hull, preservationist, master builder, owner of Hull Homes & Hull Millwork, and expert host of online programs on the Build Show Network and his own YouTube series.
“We are beyond excited to start this relationship with Brent,” said Ashton Gavelek, Unico brand marketing manager. “His dedication to the principles of fine and historic building practices, overall expertise in the renovation of architecturally significant structures, and carryover of this philosophy into the construction of new, custom-designed homes makes him a perfect match for The Unico System.”
A graduate of Boston’s renowned North Bennet Street School, one of the nation’s oldest trade schools, Mr. Hull has built a reputation and extensive following as an expert in the numerous advantages of historic building practices. Mr. Hull also owns a successful restoration, construction, and millwork business based in Fort Worth, TX. His years of experience, encyclopedic knowledge of historic building practices – most especially millwork – and affable nature have made him a trusted voice in the homebuilding industry.
“I’m very particular about the products and companies I associate with,” notes Mr. Hull. “I became familiar with The Unico System as a viable HVAC solution through my years of work in the preservation of historic homes and building practices and in designing and constructing new custom homes.” Added Mr. Hull, “In many of our projects, Unico is the only choice for including energy-efficient indoor comfort without detracting from the structure’s original design elements or aesthetics.”
“Unico is the only choice for including energy-efficient indoor comfort without detracting from the structure’s original design elements or aesthetics.”
The partnership will feature Mr. Hull offering his insight and expertise when it comes to upgrading traditionally built houses and newly constructed homes built to historic standards with modern HVAC across his own and the manufacturer’s various media channels.
Read the full Press Release.
by Unico Marketing Team | May 26, 2023 | Custom Homes, Indoor Air Quality
During the pandemic, concerns about indoor air quality became top-of-mind for homeowners across the country. From opening windows to installing new HVAC systems, it became common to do all you could to improve the air in your home. While there was a learning curve for everyone, custom homes faced unique indoor air quality challenges.
Join the air-quality experts from the Unico team as we break down some of the biggest lessons the pandemic taught us about indoor air quality in custom homes and how you can address them.
How Ventilation Impacts Air Quality in Custom Homes
If you’re looking to improve indoor air quality of a custom home, getting proper ventilation is a must. Since many newer homes are built to low load home (LLH) standards, there’s a tighter seal on airflow. During the pandemic, this fact made the housing industry realize that mechanical ventilation was important to improve indoor air quality in custom homes. Mechanical ventilation improves air quality by diluting the indoor air with “fresh” air from the outside.
Covid-19 and other viruses have a harder time surviving outside due to the sheer volume of clean air they are exposed to. That’s why diluting and filtering indoor air helps minimize the risk of aerosolized viruses being transmitted inside of a home. While the idea makes sense on paper, some custom home ventilation systems only operate at one speed.
The Unico System has a variable speed blower that includes unique control features to ventilate custom homes effectively and efficiently throughout the day. Plus, the system can be easily programmed to meet any unique needs, such as bringing in more outdoor air if indoor air quality drops to an uncomfortable level.
Why Air Filtration in Custom Homes Became More Important
During the pandemic, people spent more time indoors, which led to our immune systems being weaker than normal. Dust, pollen, and bacteria now pose more of a threat to cause illness than in the past. This is part of the reason why the air-filter industry saw such a huge boom during the pandemic. Let’s break down why that was the case.
Ventilation is great at helping prevent viruses because of how it dilutes the air. However, larger particles are harder to remove using only this process. This is where air filtration comes into play. While there is a wide variety of air filters, many traditional HVAC systems come standard with filters that are only designed to help keep the system clean. Plus, the blowers in those systems can’t deal with the restrictions that are present in higher MERV-grade filters used to keep pollutants out of the home.
Learn more about MERV-grade filters and the benefits they provide with The Unico System HERE
The good news is that small-duct high velocity (SDHV) systems like The Unico System are designed to deal with high-pressure drops and use higher-grade filters. The Unico System uses MERV 7 filters, which capture a variety of contaminants, like mold spores, pet dander, and bacteria in custom homes.
Using UV Light for Air Disinfection in Custom Homes
For a long time, hospitals have been using UV light to disinfect surfaces and clean the air. The pandemic made homeowners realize that they could use this technology to help make their custom homes safer. It became popular to integrate UV light into standalone room filter systems for localized disinfection of air in a home through the HVAC system. These systems pull the air in a room into the device and expose it to UV light to improve indoor air quality. This type of solution works great for a single room, but quickly becomes expensive if you want to integrate it into an entire custom home.
If you’re looking for a solution that can reliably provide whole-home air disinfection, it’s best to install the UV light directly into the duct system. The Unico System is an SDHV system that uses smaller ducts with higher air flow. Not only does this offer more installation flexibility for custom homes, but it also makes it easier to include UV light. Unico even offers cabinets with a pre-installed UV light system to give custom homes added peace of mind.
Custom Homes Are Safer with The Unico System
If you’re looking for the best all-around heating and cooling system for a custom home, choosing The Unico System is a smart choice. By improving indoor air quality with UV-light disinfection and having the installation flexibility of being an SDHV system, Unico is a great option for custom homes with unique design challenges.
Contact our Design Service team for a free consultation to learn more about how The Unico System can add cleaner air to your home.
