What’s an air handler? HVAC phrases outlined

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An air handler is a part of your central heating and cooling system that circulates air by way of your ductwork. Generally folks seek advice from the air handler because the “blower,” however the blower motor is part of the air handler.

This text will reply the query, “What’s an air handler?”. We’ll clarify what it does and decide if yours wants restore or substitute.

Should you’re searching for a brand new air handler, try our critiques of one of the best air handlers. 

What does an air handler do?

An air handler is a bit of your central HVAC system. It attaches to your air conditioner, furnace (or warmth pump), and plenums, resulting in your ductwork.

Your air handler takes the warmed or cooled air created by your HVAC tools and blows it into the provision plenum, which connects to your air ducts. Your ductwork distributes the handled air all through your property.

Your air handler additionally connects to your return plenum, which takes air from inside your property and brings it into your HVAC system. Relying on the season, the air handler pushes that air to both your air conditioner or furnace, the place it’s heated or cooled.

On the skin, an air handler is a big metallic field that appears much like your furnace. It’s sometimes put in alongside your furnace in your storage, attic, utility closet, or basement.

Elements of an air handler

Your air handler strikes handled air by way of your property utilizing the next elements.

Blower motor

The blower motor powers a fan that pushes air into your ducts. It additionally helps flow into air from your property again into your AC or furnace.

Blower motors are available single-speed, dual-speed, and variable-speed varieties.

Single-speed blower motors can operate at just one setting. These are sometimes cheaper upfront, although they’ll value you extra on utility payments in the long term.

Twin- and variable-speed blower motors can alter robotically to totally different speeds. They’ll maintain your property extra constantly comfy. They’re a much bigger funding, however they’ll prevent on utilities over time.

Evaporator coil

Your compressor is a part of your outside AC unit (the condenser). The compressor pumps refrigerant into the air handler’s evaporator coil.

When the blower motor’s fan strikes air over the evaporator coil, it cools the air. Because the refrigerant warms within the coil, it will get pushed again to the compressor to chill down once more.

Air filter

Your air handler’s air filter is on the return aspect of the unit. It filters air coming into your HVAC system from your property. 

Air filters take away mud, mildew, and micro organism from the air. This improves your family air high quality and in addition protects your HVAC system.

Electrical elements

Your air handler comprises electrical elements, comparable to a contactor and relay board, that assist it do its job.

One notable electrical half is its emergency warmth strip. The warmth strip activates when chilly outside situations make it troublesome in your HVAC system to maintain up along with your heating wants. 

Frequent air handler issues

The typical value for air handler restore is $350. It might assist to diagnose the issue your self and check out a couple of air handler troubleshooting suggestions earlier than calling knowledgeable to repair your system. 

Air handler will not be turning on

Your air handler could also be clogged on account of a grimy air filter. Change your filter, mud the unit, and check out once more. 

If this doesn’t assist, reset your air handler at your fuse field.

Blower motor will not be working

The blower motor is a hard-working a part of your air handler, so it’s typically the reason for points with the system.

Change your thermostat to “auto,” “on,” and some levels larger or decrease to see if that can begin it working. The issue stands out as the connection between the air handler and the thermostat if it does.

Should you suspect the motor is having hassle, flip it off at your fuse field. Take away the air handler’s cowl and dirt inside with canned air and a delicate fabric. 

Air handler is brief biking

Take a look at our quick biking information to repair this downside. You’ll doubtless have to wash out your system or restore your flame sensor. 

Air handler is leaking

Should you really feel air flowing out of the joints round your air handler, repair them instantly. This implies handled air out of your HVAC system isn’t making it into your property, inflicting your tools to work tougher than mandatory (and elevating your utility payments within the course of.)

You may DIY repair air leaks with aluminum tape and duct sealant. 

Air handler restore assist

HVAC.com has pages to assist troubleshoot particular Goodman, Rheem, and Lennox air handler models. 

If our suggestions don’t do the trick and your air handler isn’t working, name an HVAC contractor for assist.

How a lot does an HVAC air handler value?

In keeping with the 2023 Nationwide Plumbing & HVAC Estimator, putting in a brand new air handler prices between $3,662.90 and $25,820. HomeAdvisor suggests most owners pay far lower than that at $2,450.

An HVAC air handler’s value is determined by its capability, options, and blower motor model.

How lengthy does an HVAC air handler final?

Air handlers have a helpful lifetime of about 10-15 years.

Name us in case your air handler retains breaking down, and you think it’s time to interchange it. We’ll match you with a licensed native HVAC seller who may also help you discover one of the best new air handler in your dwelling.