The air handler is the indoor half of your central air conditioner. The other half includes the system compressor and the condenser coil, both located in the outdoor unit beside or behind your home.
The air handler may be located in a special closet inside the house or in the attic or basement. The spans of HVAC ductwork in the house — supply ducts and return ducts — also connect to the air handler. Think of it as the nexus where all HVAC components intersect to produce cool comfort.
The air handler brings together numerous vital components, such as:
- System air filter. All the air inside the house passes through the system air filter, situated where the return duct conveys air back into the air handler to be cooled again. The filter removes particulates from the air including dust, dirt, lint, and a host of airborne allergens that may affect susceptible individuals.
- Evaporator coil. This is the coil that performs the heavy lifting of heat extraction from indoor air. Frigid refrigerant circulating through evaporator coil passages absorbs heat from the return airflow passing through the air handler. Typically, the coil lowers the temperature of warm return air down to the range of 55 degrees to 60 degrees.
- Air blower. It’s the component that keeps the cooled air moving through the system. Pulled through the filter and evaporator coil for cleansing and cooling, then pushed out through the supply ductwork, conditioned air propelled by the blower in the air handler circulates through every room in the house.
- Condensate drain system. In addition to cooling air, the evaporator coil also generates condensation — lots of it. A typical central AC may produce as much as 25 gallons of condensate daily during a hot, humid Indiana summer. The drain pan underneath the air handler collects the water and a drain line connected conveys it into the home’s plumbing system.
Help your air handler components keep you cool with scheduled maintenance — as well as any needed repairs — by the professionals at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing.
