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 via your ductwork. Typically folks consult with 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 tips on how to decide if yours wants restore or substitute.

In the event you’re purchasing for a brand new air handler, take a look at our evaluations of one of the best air handlers. 

What does an air handler do?

An air handler is a chunk 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 gear and blows it into the provision plenum, which connects to your air ducts. Your ductwork distributes the handled air all through your house.

Your air handler additionally connects to your return plenum, which takes air from inside your house 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 surface, an air handler is a big metallic field that appears much like your furnace. It’s usually put in alongside your furnace in your storage, attic, utility closet, or basement.

Elements of an air handler

Your air handler strikes handled air via your house utilizing the next parts.

Blower motor

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

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

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

Twin- and variable-speed blower motors can regulate routinely to completely different speeds. They’ll hold your house extra persistently snug. They’re a much bigger funding, however they’ll prevent on utilities over time.

Evaporator coil

Your compressor is a part of your out of doors 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 facet of the unit. It filters air coming into your HVAC system from your house. 

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

Electrical parts

Your air handler incorporates electrical parts, corresponding 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 out of doors circumstances make it tough in your HVAC system to maintain up together with your heating wants. 

Frequent air handler issues

The typical value for air handler restore is $350. It could assist to diagnose the issue your self and check out a number 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 as a result of a unclean 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.

Swap your thermostat to “auto,” “on,” and some levels larger or decrease to see if that may begin it working. The issue would be the connection between the air handler and the thermostat if it does.

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

Air handler is brief biking

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

Air handler is leaking

In the event 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 house, inflicting your gear to work more durable than vital (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?

Based on 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 worth is determined by its capability, options, and blower motor fashion.

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 observed it’s time to interchange it. We’ll match you with a licensed native HVAC vendor who might help you discover one of the best new air handler in your dwelling.