Here’s one thing you definitely know about your air conditioner – it keeps your home cool and comfortable when it’s hot outside. Beyond that, you’re most likely in the dark when it comes to your AC system’s inner workings. That includes the purpose of the air conditioning air handler and how it impacts your home comfort.
What Exactly Is an Air Handler?
Just as the name implies, the air conditioning air handler “handles” the movement of cool, conditioned air throughout your home. As your AC system works to cool down the surrounding air, the air handler works in concert to distribute that cool air to pre-determined areas of your home.
In other words, think of the air handler as a box that sends cool air to various parts of your home where you need it most.
How Does It Work?
Every air conditioning air handler has three major components: a blower fan, an air filter and a set of evaporator coils. As your AC system operates, the blower fan not only pulls indoor air into the air handler, but also pushes cooled air out of the air handler and into the rest of your home.
The air filter sits in between the blower fan and evaporator coils, preventing dust, debris and other contaminants from making their way into the air handler. As indoor air blows over and through the evaporator coils, the coils help strip and absorb latent heat and excess moisture from the passing air. The end result is cool, conditioned air that makes your home feel less humid and more comfortable.
Are There Different Types?
If you have a traditional split AC system, then it likely features an air conditioning air handler in the basement, attic or a centrally-located closet. These air handlers rely on ducts to distribute cool air throughout the home.
If you have a mini-split system that doesn’t use ducts, then you’ll likely have multiple air handlers mounted in multiple rooms, each one controlled via remote or thermostat. Heat pump air handlers may even contain an electrical heating element to help boost heating during the winter months.
Air handlers may also feature “single” or “variable” speed blower fans, depending on the model. Whereas single-speed blower fans only operate at a single, set speed, variable-speed fans can adjust their speeds across a broad range, resulting in better airflow and less wasted energy.
Taking Care of Your Air Handler
Anything can happen to your air handler throughout its lifespan, which is usually the same as the rest of your AC unit – roughly 10 to 12 years, in most cases. It’s not unusual for air handlers to suffer clogged condensate lines, air blockages caused by dirty air filters and/or ducts, poor air circulation due to failing blower fan motors and more.
Regularly scheduled AC service is crucial for keeping your air handler – and the rest of your AC system – in great shape.
