Climatecraft Custom Air Handlers - Tailored Efficiency for Complex Projects

At VHF Sales, we pride ourselves on partnering with industry leaders to deliver top-tier HVAC products to our clients in Iowa and surrounding regions. Climatecraft stands out as a premier manufacturer of custom air handlers, renowned for their innovative designs that prioritize performance, efficiency, and reliability. With over three decades of experience in the HVAC sector, VHF Sales is excited to showcase Climatecraft's offerings, which are engineered to meet the most demanding site conditions.

Whether you're outfitting a new commercial building, retrofitting an industrial facility, or upgrading healthcare infrastructure, Climatecraft's air handlers provide tailored solutions that enhance indoor air quality, reduce energy costs, and ensure long-term durability. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the key features, cutting-edge innovations, practical usages, and real-world applications of Climatecraft products.

Custom Air Handlers: Tailored Design for Maximum Flexibility

Climatecraft's custom air handlers form the cornerstone of their product line, offering unparalleled customization to fit specific project requirements. These units are available for both indoor and outdoor installations, with airflow capacities ranging from 2,000 to over 200,000 CFM, making them suitable for a wide array of scales and environments. Key construction features include a gasketed and bolted design with integrated air seals, which minimizes leakage and enhances structural integrity. Materials options en

compass galvanized steel, pre-painted finishes, stainless steel, or aluminum for both interiors and exteriors, providing resistance to corrosion and adaptability to harsh conditions.

Insulation is a critical aspect, with choices of 2-, 3-, or 4-inch fiberglass or injected foam, achieving R-values from R-8 to R-26 for superior thermal performance in diverse climates. The units incorporate a standard thermal break in roll-formed panel construction to prevent condensation and energy loss. Flooring and base options are equally robust, featuring welded structural bases with steel perimeter rails and reinforced channels, alongside galvanized, aluminum, or stainless steel floors that can be fastened or welded for added strength.

Performance metrics set Climatecraft apart, with low air leakage rates compliant with ASHRAE/ANSI Standard 111 Class 5, and capabilities for high static pressure applications. Factory testing covers casing leakage, deflection, vibration, airflow, and sound, ensuring units meet or exceed specifications before shipment. Compliance with standards like AHRI, AMCA, California OSHPD, ETL, IBC Seismic, and Miami-Dade County (excluding aluminum panels) underscores their reliability in seismic-prone or hurricane-vulnerable areas.

In practical terms, these custom air handlers excel in commercial settings like office buildings, where precise airflow control maintains occupant comfort, and in industrial plants requiring robust filtration for dust-heavy environments. For instance, pre-filters, HEPA, pleated, rigid, or bag filters, combined with stainless steel coil casings and corrosion-resistant coatings, protect against contaminants in manufacturing or laboratory spaces.

Innovations Driving Efficiency and Reliability

Climatecraft leads the industry with patented technologies that address common HVAC challenges. The FanMatrix™ Fan Array System is a standout innovation, replacing single large fans with multiple smaller ones for redundancy, improved airflow, and reduced maintenance. This system offers capacities from 2,000 to over 200,000 CFM, with a compact version up to 20,000 CFM that weighs up to 30% less, ideal for space-constrained retrofits. Integrated inertia bases provide spring isolation to eliminate resonance, enhancing acoustics and longevity.

Complementing this is the BalanceStream® Technology, featuring a spring-actuated inlet cone that enables stable operation down to 10% of design airflow without surge or complex controls. It also allows full shutoff without backdraft dampers, boosting energy efficiency. The FlexSpeed™ Motor, optimized for variable frequency drives (VFDs), cuts annual power usage by 5-10% compared to standard motors. Additionally, the MatrixMonitor™ System provides real-time monitoring of individual fans and total array airflow, integrable with building management systems for predictive maintenance.

These innovations translate to tangible benefits in usages such as data centers, where redundancy prevents downtime, or educational facilities needing quiet operation to minimize disruptions. A fan removal winch simplifies servicing, further reducing operational costs over the unit's 40-year expected lifespan.

The ACCESS™ Program: Revolutionizing Retrofits

For replacement projects, Climatecraft's ACCESS™ site-assembled air handlers offer a game-changing solution, designed for challenging installations where traditional units won't fit. The program's purpose is to enable quick, cost-effective upgrades without extensive building modifications. Components are shipped in sections that pass through standard 36-inch doors and elevators, with logical grouping and clear labeling for efficient on-site assembly.

Key features mirror custom units, including low-leakage designs, thermal breaks, and options for energy recovery packages. Patented integrations like FanMatrix™ and BalanceStream® ensure high performance post-installation. Benefits include reduced labor costs (up to 10% savings), minimal downtime, and compliance with seismic standards. The process involves factory training, logistical support, and on-site assistance, backed by a five-year warranty on moving parts.

Real-world applications shine in case studies. At Halifax Health Medical Center, ACCESS units replaced aging handlers serving ICUs and surgical areas, saving nearly $100,000 in crane costs and completing installations within 72-hour windows. Similarly, Vanderbilt University Medical Center retrofitted a 34,500 CFM unit over a weekend, minimizing research disruptions through efficient assembly and custom design. These examples highlight usages in healthcare, where reliability is paramount, and educational institutions facing tight schedules.

Applications and Usages Across Sectors

Climatecraft air handlers are versatile, serving critical sectors with precision. In healthcare facilities, low leakage and HEPA filtration maintain sterile environments, as seen in Halifax and Vanderbilt cases, protecting patients and equipment from contaminants. Industrial applications, like the IM Flash Technologies project, benefit from high-capacity units handling extreme duties in manufacturing.

Educational and research settings leverage quiet, efficient designs for labs and classrooms, ensuring consistent temperatures without noise interference. Commercial buildings, including offices and retail, use energy recovery ventilation units to optimize IAQ while cutting utility bills. In seismic zones, compliance features provide peace of mind for infrastructure like hospitals and data centers.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Focus

Sustainability is woven into Climatecraft's DNA, with features like thermal breaks and low-leakage construction reducing energy waste. BalanceStream® and FlexSpeed™ technologies further enhance efficiency, supporting LEED-certified projects by lowering operational costs and carbon footprints. For VHF Sales clients aiming for green building standards, these units deliver measurable savings and environmental benefits.

Why Partner with VHF Sales for Climatecraft Solutions?

Choosing Climatecraft through VHF Sales means accessing expert guidance from selection to installation. Our team ensures seamless integration, backed by comprehensive support and a commitment to your project's success. Whether for new builds or retrofits, Climatecraft's innovations provide lasting value. Contact VHF Sales today to explore how these advanced air handlers can elevate your HVAC system.