reasons:

Incorrect sizing: The fan might be oversized for the AHU or the ductwork, which can lead to
inefficient operation and high power consumption, even at lower speeds.

Airflow restrictions: There could be obstructions in the ductwork or AHU filters that are
restricting airflow. This can cause the fan to work harder to maintain the desired airflow, leading
to increased power consumption.

System pressure: The static pressure within the AHU might be higher than the design
specifications. This can cause the fan to consume more power to maintain the desired airflow.

Fan curve mismatch: The fan curve (pressure vs. flow rate) might not be matched to the AHU's
duct system. This can cause the fan to operate at a lower flow rate than intended, leading to
increased power consumption.

If the speed control of the EC motor is fixed as a constant and not automated, it may not be
optimal for the system's operating conditions. Automated speed control would allow the fan to
adjust its speed to match the system's requirements, which could reduce power consumption and
increase energy efficiency. You may want to consider upgrading the system with automated
speed control, or consult a qualified HVAC technician to investigate the causes of high power
consumption and recommend solutions.

How buildings are cooled using AHU

Air Handling Units (AHUs) are commonly used in buildings to cool and circulate air. AHUs are
typically installed as part of a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.

Here's a brief overview of how buildings are cooled using AHUs:

Air is drawn into the AHU: The AHU draws in hot air from the building through a return duct.

Air is filtered: Before the air is cooled, it passes through a filter to remove any dust or debris.

Air is cooled: The air is cooled by passing over a heat exchanger or a cooling coil. The cooling
coil contains refrigerant that absorbs the heat from the air, cooling it down.

Humidity is controlled: As the air is cooled, its humidity level decreases. To control the humidity
level, the AHU may have a separate humidifier that adds moisture to the air.

Air is circulated: Once the air has been cooled and its humidity level has been adjusted, it is
circulated back into the building through supply ducts.

Temperature is regulated: The temperature of the air supplied to each area of the building can be
regulated by adjusting the flow rate of air into each zone.
Overall, AHUs are an essential component of HVAC systems that help to ensure a comfortable
and healthy indoor environment by providing cool, filtered air to the building's occupants.

The concept behind the air flow rate in an Air Handling Unit (AHU) is to provide the required
amount of fresh, filtered air to a building's occupants while maintaining a comfortable indoor
environment. The air flow rate is determined based on the size of the building, the number of
occupants, and the building's usage.

The air flow rate in an AHU is typically measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) or cubic
meters per hour (m3/h). The air flow rate is determined by the size of the AHU and the speed of
the fan that moves the air through the system. The air flow rate is typically set by the HVAC
system designer or contractor, based on the requirements of the building.

The air flow rate is critical to ensuring that the air in the building is properly circulated, and that
the air is filtered and cooled or heated to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. The air
flow rate must also be balanced to ensure that the air is distributed evenly throughout the
building, with no areas of the building experiencing stagnant or insufficient air flow.

Additionally, the air flow rate can affect the energy efficiency of the HVAC system. If the air
flow rate is too high, it can result in unnecessary energy consumption and higher operating costs.
Conversely, if the air flow rate is too low, the HVAC system may not be able to maintain the
desired indoor temperature and humidity levels, leading to discomfort for the building's
occupants. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the air flow rate is set correctly for the
specific building and HVAC system.

The pressure level before and after the filter in an Air Handling Unit (AHU) can vary depending
on the type of filter used and the air flow rate through the AHU. Generally, the pressure drop
across the filter will increase as the filter becomes dirty and clogged with particulate matter,
which can reduce the air flow rate and the energy efficiency of the HVAC system.

Before the filter, the pressure level in the AHU is typically close to the ambient pressure outside
the system. This is because the AHU is designed to draw in air from the outside or from the
building's interior through return air ducts. The air is then passed through a filter to remove any
particulate matter or contaminants.

After passing through the filter, the pressure level in the AHU may be slightly lower due to the
resistance of the filter. The pressure drop across the filter is typically measured in inches of water
gauge (in. wg) or pascals (Pa) and is known as the filter's pressure drop. This pressure drop is
typically specified by the filter manufacturer and can be used to determine when the filter needs
to be replaced.
In general, the pressure level before and after the filter in an AHU should be carefully monitored
to ensure that the HVAC system is operating efficiently and that the filter is not becoming
clogged with particulate matter. If the pressure drop across the filter becomes too high, it may be
necessary to replace the filter or adjust the air flow rate through the system to maintain optimal
energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

If the pressure drop across the filter is too high, then how will the fan operate? Whether it
will consume more power
If the pressure drop across the filter in an Air Handling Unit (AHU) becomes too high, the fan
that circulates air through the system will need to work harder to maintain the required air flow
rate. This increased workload can result in higher energy consumption and operating costs, as the
fan will consume more power to overcome the increased resistance caused by the clogged filter.

In some cases, the fan may not be able to maintain the required air flow rate through the system,
even when running at maximum capacity. This can lead to reduced indoor air quality, as the air
in the building may become stagnant or insufficiently filtered, resulting in potential health risks
for the building's occupants.

To prevent this situation, it is important to monitor the pressure drop across the filter in the AHU
and replace the filter when necessary to maintain optimal energy efficiency and indoor air
quality. Additionally, selecting the right filter with a lower pressure drop and higher filter
efficiency can help to reduce energy consumption and operating costs by reducing the resistance
that the fan must overcome.

Overall, maintaining the appropriate pressure drop across the filter in an AHU is essential to
ensure that the HVAC system is operating efficiently and effectively, while also providing a
comfortable and healthy indoor environment for building occupants.

But is this the case happens when the fan is operated in fixed speed

Yes, if the fan in an Air Handling Unit (AHU) is operated at a fixed speed and the pressure drop
across the filter becomes too high, then the fan will consume more power to maintain the
required air flow rate. The fan will have to work harder to overcome the increased resistance
caused by the clogged filter, resulting in higher energy consumption and operating costs.

In addition, if the fan is operated at a fixed speed and the pressure drop across the filter becomes
too high, the air flow rate through the system may be reduced, potentially leading to inadequate
ventilation and poor indoor air quality. This can result in a range of health problems for building
occupants, including respiratory issues, allergies, and other related health concerns.

To prevent this situation, it is important to monitor the pressure drop across the filter in the AHU
and replace the filter when necessary to maintain optimal energy efficiency and indoor air
quality. In addition, utilizing variable speed drives or other fan control strategies can help to
reduce energy consumption and operating costs by adjusting the fan speed to match the air flow
requirements of the system, rather than running the fan at a fixed speed regardless of the air flow
requirements.

In conclusion, it is important to regularly monitor and maintain the filter and fan system of the
AHU to ensure optimal energy efficiency and indoor air quality.