The air handler is the part of the HVAC system that circulates the conditioned air throughout the home or office. Whether you’re warming or cooling your house, the handler distributes whatever air you need to make your home’s temperature comfortable to live in. It comprises coils, blower motor, and many electronic components that enable it to deliver the air through your ductwork system. The air passes through an air filter, installed with the handler, to catch allergens and other particles before the handler sends the warm or cool air out.
Usually, they’re part of a split system, where one part is installed outside and the other one, the handler, is on the inside. The two components work together to distribute either heat or cool air to each room of your home, depending on what’s required for the season. The handler pulls in air, which will pass over the coils to be heated or cooled and then it’s pushed out by the blower to move through the ductwork into the rest of your home.
What do you need to know about air handlers?
It works efficiently when it’s combined with parts designed for that system. Older heating or cooling units matched with a newer air handler won’t run as smoothly and could cause a significant amount of energy loss. It could also instigate costly damages to both parts because they each have different energy outputs. If one is much older than the other, it might not be compatible with the new technology installed in the newer part.
It’s possible to install just the air handler when repairs are no longer effective, but it’s not a good idea if it’s an older heating/cooling unit. Manufacturers recommend that you replace an entire system, even if only the air handler needs replacing. Some reasons for this are:
- Saves money on your energy bill
- Extends the life of your new system
- Allows you to get a newer warranty for your HVAC unit
If you find that your older air handler or outside appliance needs replacing, save yourself time and money down the road and purchase a whole new system instead. Two mismatched parts will cause issues later on that will end the life of your heating and cooling system much quicker than it should. For more information, call us at 408-295-2182. We can help you choose a system for your home, or answer any questions you may have regarding your HVAC system.