Is an air handler the same as an air conditioner?
Air handlers and air conditioners have entirely different functions, making it easy to remember the difference between them. Air handlers are designed to move air around. That’s all that they do. They don’t heat up or cool down, they move air. Air conditioners, on the other hand, exist only to cool air by removing heat from the outdoor air.
What is the difference between an air handler and a heat pump?
A fan or blower assembly within the air handler draws air through the cooled evaporator coil to provide conditioned air to the home’s interior. The main difference between the two systems is that a heat pump can reverse the process by switching the function of the evaporator and condenser coils to raise inside temperatures.
How does an air handler work with air conditioner?
- a thermostat that controls system operation
- an outdoor unit that houses a fan, condenser coil and compressor
- an indoor unit (typically either a furnace or fan coil) that houses the evaporator coil and fan to circulate the cooled air
- copper tubing that allows refrigerant to flow between the indoor and outdoor units
Do I really need a new air handler?
Our professionals at Air Handlers understand that line of thinking but want to be sure you realize the long-term benefits of regular maintenance and tune-ups for your air conditioning system. In many cases, a small, short-run investment can save time, money, stress, and hassle down the road. Extend Your Air Conditioner System’s Life
Is furnace part of air handler?
The difference between an air handler and a furnace is that a furnace creates and moves heat. An air handler moves air heated (or cooled) by another source.
Is an air handler and a furnace the same thing?
The Key Difference Between Furnaces and Air Handlers The most crucial difference between a furnace and an air handler is a furnace actually produces its own heat for channeling while an air handler doesn't create heat (though some models do provide auxiliary heat).
Does the furnace have anything to do with the air conditioner?
Your central air conditioning system is independent of your furnace. The outdoor unit isn't connected to the furnace at all—but they both utilize the same distribution system (vents, fans, filters, and ducts) to push cool and warm air into your home.
Why do you need an air handler with a heat pump?
Depending on the design of your home, an air handler may be a principal indoor component of your heat pump system. When properly matched with the capacity and SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) of your heat pump, the air handler is designed to efficiently circulate conditioned air through your home's duct work.
Do air handlers heat and cool?
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) air handler unit, or AHU, may resemble a furnace in appearance, but its purpose is very different. It conditions and circulates both cool and hot air, depending on what time of year it is.
Where is the air handler on furnace?
0:062:04What is an Air Handler and How Does it Work? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe air handler is usually paired with an outdoor condenser such as a heat pump. And the two unitsMoreThe air handler is usually paired with an outdoor condenser such as a heat pump. And the two units work together to heat and cool your home.
Should I replace my furnace and air conditioner at the same time?
In most cases, it's a good idea to replace the furnace at the same time as the air conditioner. The most common reasons are: The new air conditioning unit has increased efficiency, with SEER over 16.
Is the furnace and AC one unit?
AC/furnace combo units are the traditional systems in most homes today. They consist of a furnace and an air conditioning unit, two separate pieces of equipment that provide heating and cooling for the interior space.
Does air handler need to be replaced?
Unfortunately, the short answer is yes. You should replace your indoor air handler at the same time as your outdoor heat pump — or air conditioning unit if it's that time of year.
Why do I need an air handler?
Air handlers often include blowers, heating and cooling systems and filters. It handles much of the “ventilation” port of the HVAC system. Air handlers are commonly used in conjunction with air conditioners. The evaporator coil in the air handler can remove additional heat before sending the air throughout the house.
Can you mix heat pump and air handler?
A heat pump that uses one and an air handling unit that uses the other cannot work together.
What is the difference between an air handler and a heat pump?
Air handler vs Heat Pump Heat pumps are used to control your comfort by transferring heat, rather than producing it, and the air handler assists in moving all that heated or cooled air.
What are the components of an air handler?
In addition to containing the blower motor and coils , the air handler may also contain several other components to help the air move around your space. Depending on the specific model, these extra components may include: Air filter. Mixing chamber. Dampers.
How does a furnace work?
Furnaces are part of what is called a forced-air system. This simply means that the entire system works by forcing air through it. Once the heat is created, air must be forced through the heat exchanger and then out into the space being heated.
What is the appliance that creates heat and works to transfer it to the air?
Technically speaking, the furnace is the appliance that creates the heat and works to transfer it to the air. Furnaces can use a number of different fuels, including: Natural gas. Propane. Oil. Electricity. It really does not matter the method used for generating the heat; the furnace simply creates it.
Do you need an air handler for a furnace?
Depending on your system, you may not always need an air handler. Some common setups you may see include a furnace with air conditioning coils, a furnace without air conditioning coils and a heat pump system. A furnace with air conditioning coils does not require an air handler, but if you decide to put in an air conditioning system ...
Do furnaces have evaporator coils?
If the furnace does not have evaporator coils for the air conditioner as part of the unit, these would be in a separate air handler. If a home is running a heat pump or geothermal system, the coils for that would commonly be in the air handler as well. In addition to containing the blower motor and coils, the air handler may also contain several ...
Is an air handler part of a furnace?
It may seem like the air handler is a circulating fan that is not part of a furnace unit. However, it is actually a little more complex than that. In addition to housing the circulating fan, the air handler also has a set of coils used to either heat or cool the air. If the furnace does not have evaporator coils for the air conditioner as part ...
Do you need an air handler for geothermal heat?
If you are running a geothermal heat pump, you will need an air handler to transfer the heat to the air. In this setup, the coils in the handler act like the heat exchanger would in a furnace system. As you can see, there are specific times when an air handler is needed and others when it is just an extra expense.
What is a furnace?
A furnace is a complex heating device that generates heat to warm the air and circulates the warm air around the ductwork and through the grates to increase the ambient temperature in the entire house.
What is an air handler?
An air handler is a heating and cooling device that moves air around the ductwork and grates in the home to either cool or warm the premises. An air handler consists of a blower fan that forces air through the ductwork. The blower fan is inside a cabinet generally called the air handler.
What is the difference between furnace and handler?
Although air handlers and furnaces are both heating and cooling devices that look very similar, they are indeed different. Their similarity lies in their ability to move warm and cool air around the house through the grates and ductwork.
Pros and cons of furnaces
Before settling on a furnace, you should consider the pros and cons of obtaining and maintaining them for heating your home.
Is an air handler a furnace?
An air handler is not a furnace, although both are heating and cooling devices that look very similar. An air handler comprises a cabinet with coils and a refrigerant. The cabinet’s work is to move either cool or warm air around the ductwork and the grates of the building.
Hydronic air handler vs. furnace
Hydronic air handlers utilize water to transfer heat to the air around the house and eventually increase the ambient temperature. Hydronic air handlers are complex systems with an equally complicated mode of functioning.
What are the differences between furnaces and air handlers?
Here are some of the most common and essential differences between air handlers and furnaces.
What does refrigerant do when it's hot?
When it’s hot, the refrigerant does the same thing with the hot air inside the home; it takes it and carries it outside. This system is simple and effective, but if you start noticing that the air handler is struggling to perform efficiently, you’ll need to call in an HVAC repair specialist to inspect the equipment.
How does a heat pump work?
The heat pump heats the air, then the air handler distributes it through the ductwork and out your vents. This contraption does not use fuel in order to affect the temperature of the air, which is the main feature that differentiates it from a furnace. The air handler’s heat pump works much like a refrigerator does.
How much does it cost to replace an air conditioner?
On its own, a replacement air conditioner can cost between $4,350 - $12,095. A lone replacement furnace can cost between $3,000 - $7,600. (Both of these ranges include the cost of the equipment, labor and other fees.)
Do air conditioners and furnaces work the same?
Even though air conditioners and furnaces work similarly regardless of their brand, manufacturers do build HVAC equipment with their own patented components. In many cases, you’ll likely need to purchase both systems from the same brand.
Do you know if your furnace is under warranty?
Less guesswork: Syncing your warranties takes away some of the guesswork. In some cases, you may not know or remember whether your existing system is under warranty. When you replace both your furnace and air conditioner, you know both systems are warrantied for the same amount of time.