What is an air handler?

Your central heating and cooling system consists of two main parts: an outdoor unit (like a heat pump or air conditioner) and an indoor unit (like an air handler or furnace). When matched with a heat pump, an air handler circulates both cool and hot air throughout the seasons. Plus, air handlers make a significant contribution to the overall efficiency of your entire heating and cooling system. The more efficient your air handler is, the less work your outdoor unit has to do to keep your home comfortable.

My system isn’t working right. Is my air handler the problem?

It’s possible. Check out our air handler troubleshooting tips to see if the problem has a simple fix.

Do I need air handler repair or air handler replacement?

Use our Repair or Replace tool to help decide whether repair or replacement is the better option for you. Then contact your local Trane dealer to schedule service.

How much does a new HVAC air handler cost?

Your air handler installation cost will vary based on the unit you choose, whether you’re installing a heat pump at the same time, the capacity of the unit, the number of cooling stages, and more. We list some price ranges above for some of our air handling units, but the best way to find out the cost is to contact your local Trane dealer.

How long does an air handler last?

You can expect a new Trane air handler to last 15 years or more with regular maintenance . A heat pump/air handler split system works hard year-round to heat and cool your home. Change your filters regularly and schedule professional HVAC maintenance at least once a year, or each spring and fall before the cooling and heating seasons begin.

What’s this I hear about a new refrigerant? How does that affect me?

As part of ongoing improvement, the HVAC industry is in the process of transitioning to using a new refrigerant in newly manufactured units, including air conditioners and heat pumps. It’s called R-454B and is more sustainable than the most recent refrigerant, R-410A .

How do I know what refrigerant is in my cooling unit?

For new units listed on our website, you will see an icon indicating which units are using the new R-454B refrigerant. The icon will also appear next to a compatible air handler. Your air handler will need to “match up” with your heat pump. You can also find the type of refrigerant listed in the model specifications. You can also contact your local Trane local dealer to learn more about refrigerants and product availability.

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Air Handlers

Pair air handlers with your air conditioner or heat pump to circulate warm and cool air all throughout your home. Air handlers fit in attics, basements and crawl spaces, and are insulated to prevent sweating and energy loss.

What to look for: Communicating capabilities, cost, and fan stages

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Why homeowners trust Trane air handlers

Over the years, Trane has built a reputation for providing reliable and energy-efficient HVAC systems, and our air handlers are no exception. It’s part of why Trane has been named America’s Most Trusted® HVAC Brand for 11 years in a row.

When you work with a Trane dealer, you get:

Wide selection of HVAC air handlers in popular sizes

An air handler unit is typically paired with a heat pump in a split heat pump system, but it can also be paired with a central air conditioner in warm climates.

Trane offers a variety of energy-efficient air handlers in multiple capacities to suit any size home. Most of our air handlers are variable-speed systems to provide precise comfort. And within each product line, we offer different sizing options, including:

1.5-ton air handlers
2-ton air handlers
2.5-ton air handlers
3-ton air handlers
3.5 ton air handlers
4-ton air handlers
5-ton air handlers

Our air handlers can handle a range of capacity needs. For example, one unit might have a rated capacity range of 2-3.5 tons or 3-5 tons.

Of special note: If you are replacing a gas furnace with a heat pump + air handler, you’ll be interested in our 120V Modular Variable Speed Air Handler. It’s designed to be a plug-and-play replacement for a furnace, with no needed electrical upgrades or retrofitting.

Smart technology for energy efficiency and humidity control

Our technological innovations help ensure your home comfort. Some features include:

Trane Link® communicating technology
Variable speed Vortica™ blower motor
Comfort-R™ technology for humidity control
Condensation-eliminating design
All-aluminum epoxy-coated evaporator coil
SmartCharge™ automatic refrigerant recharging
Hydronic and electric heating options

Reliability

You’ve heard the phrase “It’s hard to stop a Trane.” That’s because reliability and durability are built in. Product lines undergo 5 years of severe wear and tear in just a few months at our SEET (System Extreme Environmental Test) lab in Tyler, Texas. This helps ensure your new air handler can serve you for years to come.

Quiet operation

Homeowners use phrases like “whisper quiet”, “very quiet”, and “we’re very pleased with the reduction in noise” to describe these indoor units. If you don’t want to hear the air or heat kick on, a variable-speed air handler can help.