Performance Climate Changer® Air Handlers

In simplest terms, an air handler moves air. The simplest air handler consists of a filter, fan, motor, and coil.

Air handlers are usually sized based on the amount of cubic airflow that is moved through the unit (Cubic Feet per Minute – CFM). Air handlers can range in size from 200 cfm up to 150,000 cfm.

As air handlers get more complex, different features are added to the unit to help solve application problems in the building. Typical application solutions include humidity control, higher efficiency, quiet acoustics, improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and improved comfort control.

There are many different varieties of air handlers for different applications. Air handlers are segmented into how they are serving a space and where they are installed.

Air handlers can be installed in a terminal location or one unit serving many locations. An example is one unit per space is when a school mounts units in the hallway ducts into a classroom. Each classroom in this application has its own air handler. An example of one unit serving many spaces can be called a Variable Air Volume Air Handling (VAV) unit. In this installation, a unit can be mounted in a single location and ducted to many different locations.

Air handlers can also be segmented on where they are installed. Some air handlers are meant to be installed indoors and can be installed in closets of Mechanical Equipment Room (MER). Other air handlers are installed outdoors, for example on the roof of a building.

A crucial part of an air handler is the coil, which can either cool or heat the air. For basic air handlers, the coil can be cooled using cold water from a chiller or refrigerant and a condenser.

For heating, the coil can be warmed using hot water from a boiler, refrigerant and condenser, or electric heat.

The fan and motor work together to move the air through the unit. Initially, the air passes through a filter that removes contaminants, then typically through the coil for cooling or heating, and finally the fan motor pushes the air out of the unit. In some cases, the air flows through the fan motor first, then the coil, before exiting the unit.

Yes, it is very important for air handlers to have filters. Filters remove containments from the air to help coils operate at peak efficiency and maximize heat transfer.

Filter efficiency is defined by a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). The higher the MERV value, the higher the efficiency and the more particles are captured by the filter.

Filters are a serviceable component on an air handler. To ensure your system is operating at peak efficiency, filters should be changed regularly.

For most home air handlers, life expectancy is in the 10-15 year range.  For commercial air handlers, the life expectancy is higher and dependent on the air handler purchased.  Some air handers have the building build around them and can last as long as 30-50 years.