--- title: "Chilled beams re-invented: Maintaining performance in a world of variable airflow" description: Innovations like Flow Control, make sure buildings are equipped to meet the demands of modern buildings image: https://blog.swegon.com/hubfs/PACIFIC_Gypsum2_ProductInContext.png_1050x450.jpg --- [![](https://www.swegon.com/Static/img/logo.svg?v=3)](https://www.swegon.com/) Menu - [Solutions & services](https://www.swegon.com/solutions-and-services/) - [Products](https://www.swegon.com/products/) - [References & Insights](https://www.swegon.com/references-and-insights/) - [Support & software](https://www.swegon.com/support/) - [Sustainability](https://www.swegon.com/sustainability/) - [Why Swegon?](https://www.swegon.com/why-swegon/) - [Product Search](https://www.swegon.com/product-search-result/) - [Document Search](https://www.swegon.com/support/find-documents/) - [Career](https://www.swegon.com/career/) - Global - [Contact](https://www.swegon.com/contact/) ## Choose a market [Or visit our global site](https://www.swegon.com) - 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[![Welat Han](https://blog.swegon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Welat%20Han.jpg?width=75&name=Welat%20Han.jpg) Welat Han 3](https://blog.swegon.com/en/author/welat-han) - [![William Lawrance](https://blog.swegon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/William_lawrance.jpg?width=75&name=William_lawrance.jpg) William Lawrance 12](https://blog.swegon.com/en/author/william-lawrance) - [![Åsa Norén-Lundh](https://blog.swegon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/A%CC%8Asa%20Nore%CC%81n-Lundh.webp?width=75&name=A%CC%8Asa%20Nore%CC%81n-Lundh.webp) Åsa Norén-Lundh 6](https://blog.swegon.com/en/author/åsa-norén-lundh) Explore - - - [The Swegon Blog](https://blog.swegon.com/en?hsLang=en) Subscribe Share - - - Explore Share Subscribe [« go back](https://blog.swegon.com/en) # Chilled beams re-invented: Maintaining performance in a world of variable airflow [Tobias Nordström](https://blog.swegon.com/en/author/tobias-nordström) 5/12/26, 1:29 PM For decades, one of the strongest selling points of chilled beams has been their simplicity. With no fans, no drainage pumps and no mechanical moving parts, chilled beams have built a reputation of being reliable, low in maintenance and offer a long product life. This passive design has made them a trusted solution in buildings worldwide. But as ventilation strategies evolve, so must the technology behind them. Our expert, Tobias Nordström, Product Manager Chilled Beams at Swegon, presents how.   There is a few reasons to why chilled beams work so well, their performance builds on two key physical phenomena: induction and the Coanda effect. Supply air is delivered through the chilled beams nozzles at relatively high velocity, created by a pressure difference between the duct and the room, typically between 50–120 Pa. This pressure generates: Together, these principles deliver a efficient, quiet and comfortable indoor climate control. ![bild (3)](https://blog.swegon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bild%20(3).png?width=2439&height=1237&name=bild%20(3).png) **The challenge: variable airflow systems** The simplicity of chilled beams suits constant air volume (CAV) solutions exceptionally well. However, modern buildings often need to meet stricter energy regulations and face higher expectations on presenting a good indoor climate. This is why buildings more often rely on variable air volumes (VAV) and demand controlled ventilation (DCV). These systems continuously adjust airflow based on occupancy, CO₂ levels and/or temperature, and the result is a reduced energy consumption while comfort is maintained. Traditionally, airflow in such systems has been controlled by utilising a VAV damper upstream of the chilled beam. ![](https://blog.swegon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-May-08-2026-11-17-48-0634-AM.png?width=2&height=2&name=undefined-May-08-2026-11-17-48-0634-AM.png)   **What happens when airflow is reduced?** Chilled beams are typically designed for peak conditions, meaning airflow and cooling/heating demands on a maximum level. Looking at a simplified example of a chilled beam with fixed nozzles and an upstream damper: At design conditions: - Airflow = 288 m3/h - Pressure drop = 70 Pa - k-factor on chilled beam = 9,6 If airflow is reduced using an upstream damper: This reduction in pressure has a direct impact: In practice, this means the system may need to increase airflow to maintain performance, which negatively affect the intended energy reduction. To address this challenge, there is an identified need to vary airflow without compromising pressure conditions in the system. The solution could possibly rethink the nozzle design and for example enable the nozzle to change in size. The need for upstream dampers and their associated pressure losses would then be removed. Using the same example, this is could be the result in practice: Here, instead of losing pressure with the upstream damper, the k-factor is adjusted to maintain the desired airflow.   **More than performance: an easy to use system** This approach would not only improve performance, it would also simplify the entire system design and installation process. Reduced system complexity In VAV and DCV systems, there would be no need for a separate upstream VAV damper. Airflow is instead controlled directly in the chilled beam, reducing: Smarter CAV installation In CAV systems, this integrated functionality act as a built-in commissioning damper. Meaning: (Note: In systems with very high duct pressures 200Pa+, additional damping may still be required to reduce the pressure before the chilled beam to not create sound in the occupied space, this can be calculated with our free selection software’s.)   **The result: consistent performance at any airflow** By maintaining pressure across the nozzles, this kind of nozzle functionality would ensure:   **Enter Flow control** At Swegon, we let this not only be an idea or example, we have developed Flow control, which, by adjusting the nozzle geometry, actively control the k-factor. This allows the airflow to be regulated while maintaining a stable system pressure drop. The additional installation, commissioning and maintenance gains mentioned above are all included in this solution. Further, choosing any of Swegon’s built-in control options, REACT, AWC or WISE, add the benefit of pressure-independent airflow control which ensures that the desired airflow is maintained even when duct pressures vary. This improves system stability and performance. In real applications, this means a chilled beam with Flow Control can deliver the same comfort with less air, compared to traditional solutions with upstream dampers. Below is an example showing the cooling capacity difference between an old Pacific unit with an upstream VAV damper and a REACT Pacific with built in flow control. ![bild (4)](https://blog.swegon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bild%20(4).png?width=2483&height=1258&name=bild%20(4).png) **From passive to adaptive** The absence of moving parts has long been a defining advantage of chilled beams, and still is in many applications. But as buildings become smarter and more dynamic, solutions must evolve. By integrating intelligent airflow control, designed and tested for long-term reliability, modern chilled beams combine the best of both worlds: **Looking ahead** [Chilled beams](https://www.swegon.com/products/room-units/waterborne-room-units/chilled-beams/) are no longer just passive components in an indoor climate solution, they are becoming active contributors to enhanced building performance. Innovations like [Flow Control](https://www.swegon.com/products/room-units/waterborne-room-units/chilled-beams/pacific-family/), ensure that buildings are equipped to meet the demands of modern buildings and deliver on the following parameters: comfort, energy-efficiency and performance, aligning with regulations such as EPBD while making sure people feel good inside. Topics: - [Energy Efficiency](https://blog.swegon.com/en/tag/energy-efficiency) - [Indoor Climate Knowledge](https://blog.swegon.com/en/tag/indoor-climate-knowledge) - [Room Units](https://blog.swegon.com/en/tag/room-units) - - - [![Tobias Nordström](https://blog.swegon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TobiasNordstromPHOTO.jpg?width=200&name=TobiasNordstromPHOTO.jpg)](https://blog.swegon.com/en/author/tobias-nordström) [Tobias Nordström](https://blog.swegon.com/en/author/tobias-nordström) Tobias Nordström is the Product Manager for Swegon’s Chilled Beams. With a strong customer focus, he is committed to developing products that balance energy efficiency, sustainability, and indoor environmental quality. ## Recommended reading - [Energy Efficiency](https://blog.swegon.com/en/tag/energy-efficiency) - [Sustainability](https://blog.swegon.com/en/tag/sustainability) ### [Mikael Börjesson](https://blog.swegon.com/en/author/mikael-börjesson) ## [Beyond energy efficiency, the revised EPBD puts IEQ in focus](https://blog.swegon.com/en/beyond-energy-efficiency-the-revised-epbd-puts-ieq-in-focus?hsLang=en) The latest revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive … - [Energy Efficiency](https://blog.swegon.com/en/tag/energy-efficiency) - [Room Units](https://blog.swegon.com/en/tag/room-units) ### [Jan Scheuring](https://blog.swegon.com/en/author/jan-scheuring) ## [Why meeting HVAC design challenges with passive climate ceilings systems?](https://blog.swegon.com/en/addressing-a-design-challenge?hsLang=en) Designing indoor climate solutions for modern buildings is a … - [Energy Efficiency](https://blog.swegon.com/en/tag/energy-efficiency) - [Indoor Climate Knowledge](https://blog.swegon.com/en/tag/indoor-climate-knowledge) ### [Mike Ward](https://blog.swegon.com/en/author/michael-ward) ## [Up next: System energy calculation](https://blog.swegon.com/en/up-next-system-energy-calculation?hsLang=en) HVAC products are provided with energy specifications that outline … Get updates from the blog directly to your inbox. #### Get to know us - [Why Swegon?](https://www.swegon.com/why-swegon/) - [Solutions & services](https://www.swegon.com/solutions-and-services/) - [Products](https://www.swegon.com/products/) - [References & Insights](https://www.swegon.com/references-and-insights/) - [Support & Software](https://www.swegon.com/support/) - [Sustainability](https://www.swegon.com/sustainability/) #### More Swegon - [About us](https://www.swegon.com/about-swegon/) - [Our Brands](https://www.swegon.com/about-swegon/our-brands/) - [News](https://blog.swegon.com/en/news?hsLang=en) - [For suppliers](https://www.swegon.com/for-suppliers/) - [The Swegon Blog](https://blog.swegon.com/en) - [Swegon Air Academy](https://www.swegonairacademy.com/en/) #### Subscribe to The Swegon Blog [![](https://www.swegon.com/siteassets/logos/logo.svg?v=1620107735)](https://www.swegon.com/) Swegon Group AB, JA Wettergrens gata 7, SE-421 30 Västra Frölunda, Tel +46 (0)31-89 58 00, Fax +46 (0)31-89 94 69, info@swegon.com - [Privacy statement](https://www.swegon.com/privacy-policy/) - [Cookies](https://www.swegon.com/cookies/) - [Processing personal data](https://www.swegon.com/privacy-policy/processing-personal-data/) - [![Youtube](https://www.swegon.com/Static/img/youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/SwegonAB) - [![Linkedin](https://www.swegon.com/Static/img/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/swegon-ab/) - [![Facebook](https://www.swegon.com/Static/img/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/swegongroup)