Table of Contents
When you look at your HVAC system, you only see two boxes – one that sits outside your house, and the other inside your home in the garage, attic or basement. The outside components box is called the condenser while the inside box is the air handler.
What is the AC unit in the attic?
Attic units are space savers – As a general rule, new residential air conditioning systems consist of two separate, or split, units. The outdoor unit, which is what many people think of as “central air conditioning,” houses only the condenser and the compressor.
What is the indoor HVAC unit called?
The Inside Unit The piece of equipment inside your home is often referred to as an evaporator because it contains and evaporator coil. It also contains a fan and a fan motor that pushes warm air from your home over the cool evaporator coils.
Is it bad to have HVAC in attic?
The biggest complaint about attic HVAC units is that they don’t really make sense. Attics are, for the most part, unconditioned, meaning a leak here could significantly reduce your home’s overall efficiency. But even if the ducts are installed to a tee, there’s still the possibility that leaks will develop.
Can you put AC condenser in attic?
Placing a condenser unit indoors in an attic or garage will reduce your system’s air supply, which will limit the amount of heat that it’s able to remove from your home. In addition, placing a condenser unit indoors will cause the space around it to heat up, and that heat can radiate into your home’s living spaces.
What is the outside HVAC unit called?
The outside unit of an air conditioning system is often called the condenser unit because the condenser plays a key role in how it works. Check out all of the most important parts.
Are attic furnaces safe?
An attic furnace, or any furnace that is located above ground level, is less likely to flood. Installing a heater in the attic provides safety in flood-prone locations. Even when furnaces are installed on the main floor, floodwaters frequently overflow the first floor, severely damaging the equipment.
What are the different types of AC units?
The different AC types are as follows: Central Air Conditioner. Ductless Mini-Split. Window Air Conditioner. Portable Air Conditioner. Floor Mounted AC. Hybrid / Dual Fuel Air Conditioner. Smart Air Conditioner. Geothermal Air Conditioner.
Is the AC unit inside or outside?
Split-System Air Conditioner The indoor unit, typically a furnace or a fan coil, includes the evaporator coil and blower fan (air handler) that circulates air throughout the home. The outdoor unit holds the compressor and the condenser coil.
Why would you put a furnace in the attic?
A furnace installed in the attic forces warm air to the bottom floor instead of letting it rise naturally, as it will from the basement. That may lead to higher energy bills and less efficiency.
Why put a water heater in the attic?
WATER HEATERS IN THE ATTIC ARE EXTREMELY EFFICIENT IN THE WARMER MONTHS. Your attic can easily reach temperatures of 120 – 140 degrees, which is optimum for keeping the water in your tank sufficiently hot, without using any energy.
Why do attics have air handlers?
Easier to Cool Higher Levels One of the advantages of an attic AC handler installation is that it makes it easier to cool the higher levels of the home, if you have a multi-story home. With attic insulation, it is easier for the HVAC system to distribute cool air throughout the home evenly.
Should AC unit in attic be insulated?
Typically when we think of air leaks, we think of drafty doors or windows. After sealing all the leaks, the Building Performance Institute and the Department of Energy recommend that attics be insulated to an R-Value (or resistance to conductive heat transfer) of 60 for the Atlanta GA climate.
Can you put a package unit in the attic?
Put it in an attic full of blown insulation and you’re forcing it to work harder to vent its heat. In addition to making the unit hard to get to for service, high attic heat can trigger the high-pressure limit switch, turning your condenser off.
Can ductless AC be installed in attic?
Putting your ductless mini split condenser in your attic is not recommended. Your condenser works in conjunction with the indoor units or the mini splits themselves. If your mini split cools your home, then the indoor units will send out warm air, which travels along evaporator coils.
Can you put a gas furnace in an attic?
Yes, you can install a furnace in your attic. Attic furnaces may be an excellent option for people with limited space or if your house doesn’t have a suitable basement or closet. To avoid any problems with attic installation, it is best to have an attic furnace installed by professionals.
Is it common to have a furnace in the attic?
The usual place you’ll find furnaces in homes across the U.S. is the basement. But in Southern California, basements are extremely rare, so most homes have floor furnaces (a.k.a. closet furnaces) instead. A furnace can be relocated from the closet into the attic.
How can I heat my attic?
How to Heat an Attic Seal any drafts from windows and doors. Install a mini split with a heat pump. Extend ductwork from central furnace up to attic. Install an electric fireplace that can be used when needed. Use a space heater to warm up the room when needed.
