Radiant systems are now very popular in Italy and most Italians are familiar with them; however they often think the Italian term ventilconvettori and fan coils are two different things, when in fact they are one and the same thing. But what exactly are fan coils? Are they similar to radiators, or do they work more like radiant heaters?
In terms of appearance, fan coils resemble classic radiators in that they have a terminal that can be placed on the wall or floor. They differ from radiators however in two main respects: fan coils release air directly into the environment and can be used not only for heating but also for cooling.
The way they work is very simple. First of all, fan coils draw in air from the room with a fan and then bring it to the desired temperature by means of a heat exchanger connected to the condensing boiler or heat pump. Once the air is heated or cooled, it can be released back into the various rooms of the house.