In modern hospitals where space and budgets are increasingly constrained, the choice of Air Handling Units (AHUs) has a direct impact on project costs, ventilation system design, and clinical functionality. Traditional horizontal AHUs, installed and assembled on-site, take up valuable space. This guide compares those legacy systems to compact air handling units, highlighting Capital Expenditure (CapEx), Operational Expenditute (OpEx), and space efficiency benefits in the context of NHS healthcare facilities.
The guide explores how a compact, packaged AHU can offset the initial CapEx investment, looking at key considerations for specifiers, consultants and facilities managers faced with tight NHS budgets. We look at the factors impacting cost per square metre in hospitals and provide a detailed cost comparison between traditional, horizontal units and the space-efficient, vertical Akrivis DM Series—ideal for both new builds and retrofit ventilation systems.
What You’ll Learn:
Key Hospital AHU Procurement Considerations
Estates and facility management departments in the NHS face a variety of infrastructure challenges due to the age and diversity of hospital buildings, not least a lack of plant-room space and the requirement to keep up operations during upgrades.
When comparing a traditional horizontal hospital AHU with a compact AHU, procurement teams must consider more than just equipment price. There are several aspects to take into consideration over and above the initial cost price, including, the cost of handling and on-site placement, the cost of installation and integration and, most importantly, potential cost savings from space allocation. This critical and often overlooked factor explains why the compact design of the Akrivis DM Series AHU directly lowers the cost per square metre (£/m²) of a project, leading to substantial savings.
Why Cost Per Square Metre Matters
The whitepaper highlights the importance of space savings in a hospital setting, focusing on how this translates into reduced Capital Expenditure (CapEx). You’ll discover the reasons why cost per square metre is imperative in any evaluation of new AHU equipment, including:
- Budget constraints
- Efficient use of space
Key Factors Influencing Cost Per Square Metre
The guide also provides financial estimates based on UK healthcare industry data, illustrating the typical cost per square metre for NHS hospital construction. This can vary significantly depending on factors such as the location of the facility, the complexity of the design, and whether the project is a new build or a hospital refurbishment.
You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the various factors that impact these costs, looking at:
- Location
- Design and complexity
- Regulatory standards
- Sustainability and energy efficiency
While the exact cost per square metre for NHS hospitals can vary, this whitepaper provides useful guideline costings for both standard hospital construction and specialised complex constructions, that can help to inform your own calculations.
Akrivis DM Series: Space and Cost Savings
You’ll learn how much space you could save by specifying a DM Series AHU using the worked example included in this paper. Akrivis engineers compare DM Series measurements and that of a traditional horizontal AHU Unit with equivalent airflow capacity to illustrate the savings.
DM Series packaged and integrated units come complete with all necessary components pre-installed and pre-configured. Units are pre-wired and pre-piped internally, with clearly defined external connection points for seamless integration of external services, such as mains power, chilled water, and LTHW. This streamlined design offers a significantly smaller footprint of approximately one-third to one-half the size of a traditional horizontal model. In addition to CapEx savings, this also results in a shorter project completion time and enables minimal disruption for patients, staff and visitors—an essential factor in active hospital environments.
Potential Cost Savings
The whitepaper details calculations that show the compelling financial advantage offered by the DM Series for NHS facilities. With space at a premium and clinical uptime essential, this guide provides insight for consultants, specifiers, and NHS procurement teams aiming to deliver cost-effective, scalable ventilation systems.
Download The Whitepaper
This guide provides actionable insights on optimising air ventilation in hospitals through smart AHU choices. Whether planning a major upgrade or a targeted ventilation retrofit, the Akrivis DM Series offers an efficient, compliant solution that delivers value without compromise.
Download the whitepaper using the form below to learn how a compact, integrated approach can support your next hospital HVAC system project—helping you save space, improve performance, and future-proof your healthcare facility.