What is an air handler?

Homes that have a radiant heating system, or homes that use a heat pump to provide heat, require an air handler (also known as a fan coil). An air handler contains two primary components: a fan motor, and the indoor coil. In a very basic sense, an air handler is a combination of the fan motor from a furnace, and the indoor coil system from an evaporator coil.

The purpose of an air handler

When cooling on a hot Chicagoland summer day, the air conditioner or heat pump sends chilled refrigerant inside via copper tubing. This refrigerant travels into the coil system in the air handler. With the coils chilled, the fan motor pulls air from the home via the return air duct, and then forces the air through the coil system. This cools and dehumidifies the air.

When heating with a heat pump, the coil system is filled with heated refrigerant, and then the air forced through the coil absorbs the heat energy from the coil. Then the cooled refrigerant is sent back outside to the heat pump to be heated again.

Things to consider about an air handler.

Have you ever owned a home with a noisy HVAC system? Was it the internal equipment located in a closet or basement that was loud? This was the fan motor in a furnace or air handler causing the noise. When purchasing a new air handler, it is important to purchase one with a variable speed fan motor. These are whisper quiet, and also provider better comfort and better efficiency.

CountryView is the leading Fox River Valley HVAC contractor. We know heating, air conditioning and indoor air quality inside and out, and are experts at proper design, sizing, installation and maintenance. Whether you need HVAC repair or maintenance on an existing system, or a new turnkey air conditioning installation, we are the ones to call!

For the finest Fox River Valley HVAC service call us at 847-683-9911.

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