How does UfAC contribute to a healthier workspace?
Maximising floor-to-ceiling heights increases natural light, making workspaces brighter and more appealing.
Underfloor air-conditioning (UfAC) is a method of delivering conditioned air using the void under a raised access floor, commonly found in office buildings.
Since the raised access floor is airtight, there’s no need for the extensive ductwork and equipment typically required in conventional ceiling-based systems — the floor itself becomes a large supply air duct.
Maximising floor-to-ceiling heights increases natural light, making workspaces brighter and more appealing.
— No need for traditional ductwork, fan coil units, or pipework.
— The system is quick to install and can be easily reconfigured when workspace layouts change.
— In new builds, reducing slab-to-slab distances while maintaining generous ceiling heights lowers construction costs.
— Eliminating ceiling services means less material and labour costs.
— Conditioned air is produced by CAM units and blown into the floor void.
— Fantiles™, installed throughout the floor, introduce the conditioned air where it’s needed.
— Room air is drawn back to the CAM, where it mixes with fresh air, is reconditioned, and redistributed back into the floor void.
Fantiles™ can provide independent user control, however, typically centeralised control is carried out at the CAM unit via the Flexmatic touch controller.
Not at all. Conditioned air is induced into the space drawing room air into the air plume making the system resulting is less obtrusive air flow.
Yes, the raised access floor creates the plenum which is used as the ventilation zone for air circulation and distribution.
Most raised access floor systems with a robust substructure are suitable, but pedestals and stringers must be checked to ensure compatibility.
A floor depth of 300mm is required for a standard AET TU-4 Fantile™, or as low as 180mm is possible with the slimline Fantile™.
Dust and dirt build-up is possible depending on the use of the space and typical cleaning schedule, however, Fantile™ units are easily cleaned by simply lifting the grille and vacuuming. Any particles that enter the return path are filtered by the CAM.
Off the floor plate within their own enclosure. CAMs (Conditioned Air Modules) are typically located within an enclosure (cupboard) around the perimeter of the building or central core. However, they can be placed anywhere above the raised access floor, depending on the desired layout and airflow requirements.
CAM unit zoning — each CAM (Conditioned Air Module) can typically serve a zone of up to 250–300 m², depending on the building’s orientation, internal layout, and specific cooling requirements. Actual coverage may vary based on the geometry of the space and the intensity of internal heat gains.
— Going underfloor removes clutter from office ceilings, exposing architectural details and increasing floor-to-ceiling heights.
— Architects appreciate the design freedom and ability to highlight a building’s original features.
— The system’s flexibility accommodates unusual layouts and structural configurations.
The last decade has seen a shift towards greener, healthier workspaces. As a result, M&E consultants are increasingly specifying UfAC as part of their sustainability strategies.
As the manufacturer, AET has the expertise to ensure systems are always in the best hands.
Quarterly maintenance visits allow AET to proactively detect and resolve issues faster. Also, adjusting system settings seasonally avoids unnecessary callouts for simple adjustments.
— By eliminating ceiling-based services, AET’s system can reduce overall building height by 10-18%.
— In new builds, this can allow for additional floors within the same total building height.
— Fantiles™ allow individual temperature & fan speed control, creating a more comfortable and productive workspace.
— The system achieves noise ratings below NR38 and eliminates high-level draughts via vertical air induction.
AET’s Flexible Space systems offer several distinct advantages over displacement ventilation systems:
AET systems employ individual floor-mounted fan terminals (“Fantiles”) in each zone — typically up to 300 m² — that allow occupants to independently adjust airflow and temperature. This zonal setup delivers more precise thermal comfort compared to displacement systems, which rely on passive airflow and often require large diffusers (sometimes causing drafts).
With fresh air entering at floor level and rising warm air carrying contaminants up to ceiling returns, AET systems enhance dilution effectiveness more than displacement systems. Additionally, zonal configuration avoids cross-contamination between spaces — beneficial in multi-tenant and flexible environments.
AET systems can handle heat gains up to ~300 W/m², using colder supply air (around 14 °C) and achieving higher induction via fan assistance. In contrast, displacement ventilation is effective only at lower loads (~40–50 W/m²) and with limited cooling capacity.
AET underfloor systems eliminate bulky ceiling ducts, reducing required ceiling voids by up to 300–500 mm. This results in savings on construction materials and energy — e.g., mixed-use towers in Hong Kong realized a 19 % reduction in energy demand and a £5 million saving in façade costs.
The modular AET design supports easy reconfiguration (e.g., when floor layouts change), with minimal disruption. Maintenance is safer and more cost-effective since terminals are accessible at floor level, avoiding ceiling work and elaborate duct rerouting.
While CAM units are stationary, as there are no duct connections, an individual Fantiles™ can be easily relocated in a matter of minutes with the use of basic hand tools.
Our systems are installed by the appointed M&E contractor however, we do carry out installation during CAT-B reconfiguration works.
Fantile™ can provide independent user control, however, typically centralised control is carried out at the CAM unit via the Flexmatic touch controller.
25-30 years, provided they are serviced and maintained correctly.