Do Not Display
The term “air handler” may sound like a job description with no heavy lifting. Actually, it’s a vital component in your air-conditioning system. Most central AC systems incorporate two units: the indoor air handler and the outdoor condenser.
An air conditioner is essentially a heat mover. It takes heat from the indoors and disperses it outside. What’s left behind after heat energy is removed from indoor air is simply cool comfort.
How Air Gets Handled
The air handler inside the house — typically located in the attic, basement, or a small closet enclosure — is the component that extracts heat. Here’s how the cooling sequence proceeds:
Warm air is drawn out of rooms in the house by the system blower, which is located in the air handler.
Return ductwork conveys the warm air to the air handler, directing the flow of air through the air filter that removes particles like dust and lint.
Filtered air passes through the evaporator coil inside the air handler. Frigid refrigerant circulating through the coil chills the evaporator passages and extracts heat from the warmer airflow.
Because dry air cools more effectively and efficiently, a dehumidification process also occurs as the warm, moist air contacts cold coil surfaces and liquid condensation occurs.
At this point, the airflow temperature as it leaves the indoor air handler will typically be somewhere between 55 and 60 degrees.
The blower pushes cooled air out of the air handler and into the supply ducts that extend to all rooms in the house.
What Can Go Wrong
Potential problems occurring inside an AC indoor air handler include:
Refrigerant leaks. Often through tiny pinholes in the evaporator coil that can only be detected and repaired by a qualified, licensed technician.
Ice obstructing coil airflow. Frequently a symptom of low refrigerant charge caused by leaks.
Clogged air filter. For efficient, effective cooling, change the air filter monthly all summer long.
Blower malfunction. System airflow volume declines and eventually ceases.
Condensate drain pan overflow. Usually due to a clogged condensate drain line.
For more about air handler functions and possible issues that may arise, contact the professionals at Air Assurance.