HVAC and Climate Control

The difference between the design flow and the actual flow in fan-coil, AHU, chiller, and boiler circuits is the most common problem in the system: some zones are excessively cooled, while distant zones do not receive water. This is due to the different pressure losses of the heating/cooling elements.

How to Establish Balancing

Static balancing valves (SBV) adjust and stabilize the hydraulic resistance of each branch once; flow can be checked on-site through measuring nipples. In variable flow circuits, dynamic balancing valves (DBV) maintain a constant flow to each branch even when pressure changes.

The PICV (pressure-independent balancing and regulating valve) that combines balancing and regulation in one device eliminates the need for a separate balancing valve, regulating valve, and differential pressure regulator in fan-coil groups — installation is simplified, and the flow remains at the design value during modulation.

What to Pay Attention To

• The size of the valve is selected based on the design flow, not the pipe diameter.
• The kv/flow range and minimum working differential pressure should be checked against catalog values.
• Wafer-type DBV is an alternative to flanged solutions in collectors with limited space.
• Measuring nipples allow for rechecking the flow in subsequent operations — balancing is not a one-time task.