Air Handling Unit (AHU) Optimizer
Singapore's focus on chiller plant efficiency is evolving towards Total System Efficiency (TSE), where optimising the entire cooling system matters. AHU Optimizer dynamically adjusts fan speeds to match actual cooling demand, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining indoor comfort.
Why use AHU Optimizer
Four features, and what each one gives you.
Three coordinated loops
The chilled water valve, return air temperature and total static pressure are controlled together.
Why it mattersThe fan follows what the space needs instead of a fixed setting, so it no longer runs harder than the load requires.
Measured, not estimated
A power meter logs the unit's power before and after installation.
Why it mattersYou get a recorded saving to report against Green Mark or ISO 50001 targets, not a calculated one.
Comfort stays in view
Return air temperature and humidity are part of the control logic, within limits you define.
Why it mattersThe saving does not come at the expense of indoor conditions.
Patented*
The control method has its own international patent filing.*
Why it mattersIt is documented in a public filing, so what the method does can be checked.
*International patent application WO 2025/136228 A1.
The airside gets missed
Air handling units are easy to overlook. They sit behind the plantroom in everyone's attention, yet their fan motors run for long hours.
Equipment first
For years, building owners and designers have concentrated on equipment ratings and chiller plantroom efficiency. The airside, meaning the air handling units that move conditioned air to the occupied space, has received far less attention.
Fixed settings
On units without self-optimising control, fans can keep running to fixed settings even when the load changes.
A drive is not a strategy
Fitting a variable speed drive or an EC fan helps, but it does not by itself make an AHU efficient: the control strategy decides. Gains at the plantroom can also come at the airside's expense, which is why total system efficiency is the fairer measure.
Delivered with a partner
LKH Precicon works with a technology partner to deliver AHU Optimizer, a control solution that reduces air handling unit energy use while keeping the indoor conditions you define.
How AHU Optimizer works
It adds a control panel and a set of sensors to the air handling unit, then runs three coordinated control loops: the chilled water valve, return air temperature and total static pressure.
Control panel
Runs the optimisation logic. From the three loops it adjusts the supply air temperature setpoint and the static pressure setpoint automatically, so the fan only works as hard as the space requires.
Sensors
Enthalpy sensors tell the controller how much cooling and dehumidification is really needed. The pressure transmitter lets the fan slow down when ducts do not need high pressure.
Power meter
Logs the unit's power, which gives a before-and-after record of the saving.
What it means for BCA Green Mark
Under the Green Mark 2021 energy efficiency criteria, air-conditioning performance is judged as a whole system, expressed as ACMV total system efficiency in kW/RT. For office, retail and hotel buildings the limits are:
Other building types use different values, for example 0.75 and 0.70 for Platinum and Super Low Energy in several categories, and 0.78 and 0.75 for high-technology industrial buildings. Source: BCA, Green Mark 2021 Energy Efficiency criteria (simplified guide, 2024 edition), Pathway 2 fixed metrics.
How much is left for the airside?
At 0.60 kW/RT for the plant, 0.14 kW/RT remains for the air handling units and everything else in the system.
Illustration only. Check the current criteria for your project.
Where it fits
Building owners and facility managers
Offices, retail malls, hotels, hospitals and campuses running Green Mark certified or targeted buildings.
Manufacturers with controlled environments
Pharmaceutical and other high-technology plants, where air handling units run alongside process equipment. Tell us your temperature and humidity limits so we can assess fit first.
Energy and sustainability teams
A measured saving to report against ISO 50001 or Green Mark targets.
Frequently asked questions
What is an AHU optimizer?
An AHU optimizer is a control solution for an air handling unit. It adjusts fan speed and supply conditions automatically so the unit delivers the cooling and ventilation the space needs without running harder than necessary.
How is the energy saving measured?
The unit's power is logged before and after installation, so the saving is recorded rather than estimated.
Will indoor comfort or humidity suffer?
The control logic includes return air temperature and humidity, and you define the limits it must hold.
Is the technology proven?
It has been installed in commercial, retail and industrial buildings. The control method is patented.* *International patent application WO 2025/136228 A1.
How do we find out if our air handling units are suitable?
Send us the number of units, the building type, and whether the fans already have variable speed drives, and our energy specialists will advise on fit. Talk to our energy specialists.
Related solutions
Energy Management SystemEnergy management and monitoring systemsPowerIQ Energy Kit: measure energy firstMonitoring solutionsSame equipment, different question
AI predictive maintenance for motorsWhat could your AHUs give back?
Tell us about your building and its AHUs, and our energy specialists will advise whether AHU Optimizer is a fit.
