Air handlers are essential to almost all functional HVAC systems. From the stripped back simplicity of cooling a small house, to the large-scale energy transfers required to air-condition commercial real estate – air handlers are everywhere in the world of AC appliances. While the name is self-explanatory, the processes involved are somewhat complex. The main purpose of air handlers is to circulate filtered, conditioned air throughout a building’s ventilation ducts. Each section of the air handler is usually separate from the others, located in a discrete portion of the appliance’s metal body. Though there are varying levels of complexity, air handlers will generally have three essential components.
HVAC Components:
Air Filter: This is usually placed between the intake vent and the coils, making it the first active component. The filtration process ensures that only clean, breathable air is circulated to a building’s occupants. Depending on the level of filtration required, often two or more filters will be placed consecutively.
Coils: These components, which usually take affect directly after filtration, are what heat or cool the air. The air is run over the coils, changing the temperature. The level of heat is manipulated by moving thermal energy between the filtered air and a refrigerant stored in the rest of the HVAC system. This refrigerant is continuously cooled and circulated through the coils, which is what allows the AC to function continuously.
Blower: Once the air has been filtered and the temperature modified, the blower circulates the air through the building. Blowers typically use centrifugal fans powered by electric motors, meaning that their essential function is to change electrical energy into the kinetic energy, which causes the fan blades to rotate. From there, the kinetic energy is transferred from the fan to the air, causing the it to circulate throughout the ventilation ducts.
Given the integral role this technology plays, keeping your air handler functional and effective is absolutely vital to the success of your HVAC air conditioning system. The technology is completely dysfunctional if air is not effectively filtered, conditioned, and circulated. The consequences of poor maintenance range from inefficient waste of energy, to adverse health effects. As such, if there is even a minor problem with your air handler, we can help. Please call us today at 408-295-2182