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Most often, air handlers are located in the attic, basement or a dedicated closet, and may closely resemble the shape of a gas furnace. As its name suggests, an air handler “handles” the air inside your home and delivers warm or cool indoor air throughout your entire home.
What is the difference between an air conditioner and an air handler?
Air handlers are designed to move air around. That’s all that they do. They don’t heat up or cool down, they move air. Air conditioners, on the other hand, exist only to cool air by removing heat from the outdoor air.
Is an air handler necessary?
If you have a furnace you probably don’t need to worry about an air handler. Air handlers tend to be used with heat pumps and help manage air flow throughout the building. Some units also provide backup heating and cooling elements to help out the heat pump.
Is an air handler the same as a furnace?
An air handler, or air handling unit, is the indoor part of an air-conditioning or heat pump system. Air handlers work much like furnaces in that they efficiently move air throughout the home. The main difference is that the air handlers only circulate heat when paired with a heat pump.
Does an air handler provide heat?
An air handler houses all the components necessary to circulate air throughout the building. It connects to the ductwork and provides cooling, heating or both depending on where it is installed and its application.
What is the difference between an air handler and a condenser?
Instead of blowing conditioned air throughout the home like the air handler does, an air conditioner’s main function is to remove heat from within the home. The condensing unit’s job is basically to transfer heat from the air outside of the building by compressing refrigerant and pumping it through its condenser coils.
How long do air handlers last?
A heating or cooling system is a significant investment, and it only makes sense to get as much use out of it as possible. In general, most HVAC systems will last from 15 to 25 years, but depending on the type of system and other contributing factors, that estimate can be highly variable.
How much does it cost to install an air handler?
Cost to Replace an Air Handler New Air Handler $700 – $1,500 Installation $1,200 – $1,800 Remove/Dispose of Old Unit $300 – $500 Total $2,200 – $3,800.
Do air handlers use freon?
The good news is that new air conditioning systems made since 2010 no longer rely on Freon. Most newer AC units use a refrigerant called R410A, or Puron.
Is an air handler an electric furnace?
Unlike a furnace, air handlers by themselves don’t actually burn fuel to produce heat. They instead work on the dynamics of electric refrigeration and electric coil heating to chill or warm air up as it’s forced into or out of your home.
Does a gas furnace have an air handler?
Both air handlers and gas furnaces pair with your air conditioner or heat pump, and are located in either a closet, attic or basement. In fact, the two systems can look so similar you may think you have an “electric furnace” when in actuality, you have an air handler.
Why does my house have an air handler?
Air handlers are the “lungs” of your home. Paired with heating or cooling equipment, they manage the airflow keeping your home comfortable and clean in any season. The air handler cabinet houses indoor components of your HVAC system and can fit additional devices that improve air quality and ventilation.
Can you replace just the air handler?
Replacing just the air handler might appear cheaper right now, but over time, it will cost more in repairs, time, and high utility bills because it is inefficient.
Is there a filter in the air handler?
The air filter is typically located at the point where the return duct enters the air handler. Larger houses often have more than one HVAC system. Each system will typically have at least one air filter. Therefore, your home may have air filters located at the air handler AND in the returns.
Where should I put my air handler in my house?
To avoid the need for long ducting that can reduce efficiency, the air handler is best installed as close to the center of the home as possible. Two common installation choices are a utility closet inside the house or a well-sealed equipment room in the garage.
Can you put an air handler outside?
It is always the case that an air handler is located inside, but it is not always the case that the stuff inside an air handler have to be inside. For example, a packaged unit combines the compressor, condenser and evaporator coils, and the fan in one big cabinet that i s always installed outside.
How many hours should AC run per day?
A central AC cools down the entire house. It is more energy-efficient than other types of air conditioners, and thus, you do not need to run it for as many hours as different types of air conditioners. In general, you should run a central AC for about 8 hours per day to keep you comfortable.
Can air handler be bigger than condenser?
Yes, it’s bad if your evaporator coils are sized bigger or smaller than your condenser coils. In fact, if the size of your evaporator and condenser coils don’t match, it can result in: Higher monthly energy costs. Reduced unit lifespan.
Can you put an air handler in the attic?
If you are going to install an AC handler in the attic, it is important that you have your attic properly insulated. Without proper insulation, cool air could be lost, and excess moisture could develop.
Do air handlers have compressors?
The air conditioner is the outdoor portion of a home’s cooling system, while the air handler is the indoor portion. At the outdoor unit, the air conditioner’s compressor raises the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant and sends it to the air conditioner’s condenser coils.
