The air handler is one of the most crucial parts of the air conditioner (AC). The air handler moves air through your ductwork and ensures every part of the home receives cool air. Thus, you cannot enjoy a cool and comfortable home if the air handler malfunctions. Below are the four major parts of the air handler and their significance.
The Air Filter
The air filter traps airborne particles to ensure only clean air enters the ductwork and circulates in your house. Here are some reasons the air filter is necessary:
- To ensure high indoor air quality that is necessary for good health
- To prevent dust from circulating in the house and settling on things
- To ensure efficient AC runs since debris restricts airflow
The HVAC industry produces different forms of air filters, including:
- Washable air filters
- Air filters with ultraviolet (UV) radiation that kills pathogens
- High-efficiency particular air filters for extremely high efficiencies
Whichever filter you use, ensure it's always clean by replacing or washing it. Otherwise, both your health and the AC's efficiency might suffer.
The Coil
The evaporator coil is a series of tubes through which the refrigerant flows. As the refrigerant flows through the coil, warm air flows over the coil and loses its heat to the refrigerant. Thus, the evaporator coil is the component that cools your indoor air.
The coil works best if it's clean. Otherwise, accumulated debris insulates the coil and hinders heat absorption. In such cases, your AC will run but struggle to cool your house. The cooling efficiency will also strain the AC, increasing its energy consumption and wear and tear. Keep the coil clean to prevent such complications.
The Blower
The AC blower is responsible for blowing air over the evaporator coil, through the air filter, and into the ductwork. Thus, your home won't get cool air if the blower fails. The blower comprises two major parts:
- The motor
- The fan
The motor converts electricity into kinetic energy to rotate the fan and blow the air. Blower motors come in different forms, including:
- Single-speed motors that either run at full speed or don't run at all
- Multi-speed motors that run at a few set speeds
- Variable-speed motors that don't run at specific speeds but can match their speed to demand at any time
Electrical problems, dirt accumulation, and overheating are common causes of blower problems. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the AC, including the blower component, prevent most of these problems.
Reach out to an air conditioning services contractor for more information.
Share