The Overlooked Energy Lever in Buildings
Buildings account for approximately 38% of total global energy consumption, with HVAC systems representing the dominant share of that demand (Ahmed et al., 2026). In commercial buildings, HVAC alone may consume up to 47% of total building energy use (Ahmed et al., 2026).
Despite this substantial energy footprint, one operational factor remains consistently underestimated: the cleanliness and maintenance condition of Air Handling Units (AHUs).
Recent peer-reviewed research published in Energy & Buildings confirms that cleaning AHUs is critical not only for improving indoor air quality and system reliability but also for reducing specific energy consumption (Ahmed et al., 2026). The study provides rare empirical evidence derived from a year-long comparative analysis of two identical AHU systems — one comprehensively cleaned and maintained (AHU-C) and the other left uncleaned (AHU-UC) — operating under comparable conditions (Ahmed et al., 2026).
At Kinetics Group, we have long treated maintenance as performance engineering. This research validates that philosophy with quantifiable data.
A Rare Controlled Comparative Study
The strength of the study lies in its methodology. Two identical AHU systems, serving similar building zones, were monitored continuously over a full annual cycle using high-resolution sensor data collected at 10-minute intervals (Ahmed et al., 2026). Parameters analysed included:
- Energy consumption
- Airflow rates
- Pressure differentials
- Thermal exchange efficiency
- Indoor air quality indicators
- Specific Energy Consumption (SEC)
The researchers note that AHU performance was assessed using temperature and pressure variations, energy use, airflow measurements, and indoor air quality data, while heat transfer and SEC were derived from combined sensor datasets (Ahmed et al., 2026).
This approach addressed a significant research gap: the lack of long-term, real-world comparative data between maintained and unmaintained AHU systems (Ahmed et al., 2026).
Quantified Energy Savings: 16.2% to 71.4%
The cleaned and maintained system achieved energy savings ranging from 16.2% to 71.4% (Ahmed et al., 2026). These savings were observed following comprehensive cleaning of filters, recuperators, ducts, coils, and fans, combined with inverter upgrades (Ahmed et al., 2026).
Such results are operationally significant. Even the lower bound of 16.2% represents measurable cost reduction, while upper-range savings demonstrate the magnitude of performance degradation that can accumulate in unmaintained systems.
In energy-intensive climates such as the GCC — where HVAC operates year-round — these savings directly influence operational expenditure and carbon performance.
Thermal Exchange Efficiency Improved by 15–25%
The study observed that thermal exchange efficiency improved by 15–25% following cleaning interventions (Ahmed et al., 2026). The improvement was attributed to the removal of accumulated contaminants that increase airflow resistance and foul heat transfer surfaces (Ahmed et al., 2026).
Dust and debris create insulating layers across heat exchanger surfaces, increasing absolute thermal resistance. When these deposits are removed, conductive and convective heat transfer efficiency improves, resulting in enhanced cooling and heating performance without proportional energy increases.
This is not merely a maintenance outcome — it is a thermodynamic correction.
Airflow Velocity Increased by Up to 12%
Following cleaning of internal components and fans, airflow velocities increased by up to 12% (Ahmed et al., 2026). The study linked this to reduced system resistance and lower pressure drop across components (Ahmed et al., 2026).
Pressure drop analysis confirmed that contaminant accumulation increases resistance within ducts and coils, requiring greater fan energy to maintain airflow (Ahmed et al., 2026). After cleaning, system resistance decreased, enabling improved airflow distribution and operational stability.
Improved airflow without proportional energy input represents a clear efficiency gain rather than a trade-off.
Specific Energy Consumption (SEC): The Key Efficiency Metric
The researchers calculated Specific Energy Consumption (SEC), defined as the energy required per unit volume of air handled (Ahmed et al., 2026). SEC was derived by combining fan power measurements with volumetric flow rates, allowing direct comparison between cleaned and uncleaned systems under varying operating conditions (Ahmed et al., 2026).
The cleaned AHU consistently demonstrated lower SEC values, confirming improved energy efficiency per cubic metre of treated air (Ahmed et al., 2026). This metric is particularly valuable for performance benchmarking, as it captures both airflow delivery and energy input in a single indicator.
For building owners focused on ESG performance and lifecycle optimisation, SEC provides a measurable benchmark for maintenance impact.
Indoor Air Quality and System Behaviour
The study also examined CO₂ concentrations and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at different system points (Ahmed et al., 2026). Results showed effective reduction of airborne pollutants through filtration and treatment processes.
However, the researchers observed transient VOC spikes immediately after certain cleaning activities, likely caused by disturbance of accumulated particulates or residual cleaning agents (Ahmed et al., 2026). While these peaks were temporary, the findings emphasise the importance of structured cleaning protocols and proper recommissioning procedures.
Maintenance improves performance — but only when executed professionally.
Establishing Evidence-Based Cleaning Standards
The authors conclude that their findings provide empirical evidence supporting regular AHU cleaning as a key strategy for improving HVAC efficiency and sustainability (Ahmed et al., 2026). Furthermore, the analytical framework developed in the study offers valuable insights for establishing evidence-based cleaning standards and maintenance protocols aligned with broader sustainability goals (Ahmed et al., 2026).
The research also highlights the potential to use such datasets for developing digital twin models focused on AHU cleaning and maintenance optimisation, enabling predictive maintenance and real-time performance control (Ahmed et al., 2026).
This signals a shift from fixed maintenance schedules to data-driven optimisation.
Implications for High-Load Climates
In high-temperature regions such as the UAE and wider Middle East, HVAC systems operate under sustained demand and narrow thermal margins. Under such conditions, even moderate airflow restriction or coil fouling can produce amplified energy penalties.
The quantified improvements reported in the study underscore the strategic importance of structured AHU cleaning programmes in high-performance climates (Ahmed et al., 2026).
Maintenance becomes an energy resilience strategy.
From Research to Implementation: The Kinetics Approach
At Kinetics Group, we integrate acoustic control, vibration isolation, and HVAC performance optimisation within a unified engineering philosophy. Maintenance decisions should be informed by measurable operational data.
We recommend facilities consider:
- Baseline airflow and energy audits
- Pressure drop monitoring
- SEC benchmarking
- Structured cleaning intervals
- Integration with IoT-enabled monitoring systems
When maintenance is guided by data rather than assumption, both energy performance and equipment lifespan improve.
Conclusion: Maintenance Is Measurable Engineering
The year-long comparative analysis demonstrates that regular AHU cleaning delivers:
- Energy savings up to 71.4%
- Thermal exchange efficiency improvement of 15–25%
- Airflow velocity increases up to 12%
- Reduced pressure drop and system resistance
- Improved indoor air quality
These outcomes confirm that maintenance is not cosmetic, not administrative, and not optional — it is engineering (Ahmed et al., 2026).
At Kinetics Group, we believe sustainable buildings are built not only through innovative design but through disciplined operational excellence grounded in measurable data.
From Research to Operational Excellence
Ahmed et al. (2026) demonstrate that regular AHU cleaning measurably improves HVAC efficiency, reduces specific energy consumption, enhances thermal exchange performance, and strengthens indoor environmental quality. Their year-long comparative analysis confirms that maintenance strategy directly influences energy outcomes and sustainability performance.
At Kinetics Group, we translate evidence-based HVAC research into structured, real-world implementation. Our approach integrates performance auditing, airflow optimisation, vibration control, and engineered system enhancement to ensure that Air Handling Units operate at their designed efficiency — not below it.
We bridge data, diagnostics, and engineering execution to help facilities:
- Reduce energy waste
- Improve airflow stability
- Optimise thermal exchange efficiency
- Extend equipment lifespan
- Strengthen ESG and sustainability performance
Because measurable efficiency is not achieved through design alone — it is sustained through disciplined performance engineering.
For HVAC performance assessment, airflow optimisation, and engineered system enhancement solutions, contact:
Email: info@kineticsgroup.ae | sales@kineticsgroup.ae
Telephone: +971 4 885 7361
Website: www.kineticsgroup.ae
Because true energy efficiency is not about running systems harder — it is about running them smarter.
Reference
Ahmed, N., Facchinetti, T., Hernandez, M. and Anglani, N. (2026) ‘The impact of air handling unit cleaning on HVAC electricity consumption and system performance’, Energy & Buildings, 353, 116896. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.116896.