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Furnaces and air handlers are two important systems that work together to make your home comfortable. A furnace uses fuel like natural gas or oil to create heat. An air handler circulates air conditioning and works with a heat pump or electric coils.
Furnaces are good in cold climates with harsh winters. Air handlers work better in milder winter climates, and help reduce humidity levels.
The first furnaces were wood-burning stoves from the Roman period. Modern furnaces are more efficient and cost-effective.
If you want an efficient heating solution for your home, an HVAC system like a furnace or air handler might be the right choice. Plus, why settle for just heat when you can have perfectly warm air with an air handler?
Air Handler And Its Purpose
The air handler is the unsung hero of HVAC systems. It distributes warm or cool air throughout your home with the help of other HVAC equipment such as furnaces and air conditioners.
Modular and customizable, an air handler includes an evaporator coil, blower, filter, and electrical elements. It circulates air through your home’s ducts. Not all heating systems require an air handler – mainly those powered by heat pumps or electric furnaces.
Moreover, air handlers can ensure good indoor air quality too. They filter out allergens and pollutants before the air is distributed. Special filters can be used to trap specific types of allergens or pathogens.
The technology behind air handlers dates back to 1000 BC. Ancient Romans used a hypocaust system for industrial heating processes. Hot gases from a furnace were directed through channels beneath the floors. This created a similar technique to modern-day central heating unit ductwork. Today, ultra-modern units are used to increase efficiency while decreasing costs – especially during winters up north!
Air handlers are like Robin to the HVAC system’s Batman. They may not be as flashy, but they do all the important work.
Components Of An Air Handler
An air handler is a must-have for a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. It helps regulate indoor air quality and temperature. Parts of an air handler vary depending on the unit type.
Common components include:
- Blower: Pushes warm/cool air through ducts.
- Evaporator Coils: Converts liquid refrigerant to cold gas for cooling.
- Heat Exchanger: Transfers heat between fluids.
- Heating Elements: Heats the coil for added warmth.
- Filters: Traps dust particles and other pollutants.
- Housing: Encloses all components in a metal frame.
The required components may differ for homes and businesses. This depends on climate, equipment type, and availability of natural gas or oil.
Whether you need an air handler depends on your comfort needs. For instance, an electric furnace can add heat in colder regions during winter. Whereas, a heat pump might work better than furnaces for heating/cooling.
For maximum efficiency, regular maintenance should be scheduled. Also, seal any gaps/cracks in ductwork to prevent energy loss and performance drop.
Understanding Furnaces And Heating Systems
Warming your home in winter can be challenging. Let me help you understand furnaces and heat systems. A furnace is a heating device that warms your home in chilly temperatures. An HVAC system has three parts: central air conditioner, furnace, and air handler or heat pump. Air handlers send warm or cooled air into sections of your house via duct work.
The difference between an air handler and a furnace? Furnaces use gas or electricity to generate heat. Heat pumps are electric and transfer warm air from one spot to another. Both have blower elements, evaporator coils, etc., for extra heat when needed.
Here’s something new: furnaces tend to be more energy-efficient than traditional AC units. They also provide better indoor air quality by filtering pollution before circulating fresh air into your house.
Don’t stick to traditional heaters – upgrade your HVAC system! An air handler with a furnace is like having a sidekick – it boosts the heat-pumping abilities of your HVAC system.
Do You Need An Air Handler With A Furnace?
When heating your home, you may come across different systems such as heat pumps and furnaces. Do you need an air handler if you opt for a furnace?
An air handler is a device that circulates air – heated or cooled – throughout your home. It’s often used alongside a heat pump or air conditioning system, but can also work with a furnace. It contains an evaporator coil and a blower motor.
Not all furnaces require an air handler. But it has benefits! For example, it could improve air quality by filtering dust and allergens. It could also make your HVAC system more efficient by distributing warm/cool air evenly. If you have an electric furnace in a cold climate, the air handler can provide extra warmth with additional heat strips.
Natural gas furnaces usually don’t need an air handler, since they produce warm air from their heat exchanger. But if temperatures change frequently, combining a gas furnace with an electric heat pump system and an indoor evaporator coil can help with energy efficiency, while providing both heating and cooling.
Pro Tip: Consult a professional HVAC technician to assess your home’s needs and recommend the best HVAC equipment for comfort and savings. An air handler and furnace together can be a winning combo!
Advantages Of Having An Air Handler With A Furnace
Air handlers are an important part of a home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. They work with furnaces and heat pumps to provide warm air in winter and cool air in summer. This article will discuss the benefits of combining an air handler with a furnace.
- Better Air Quality: An air handler filters and circulates indoor air, which helps remove airborne pollutants, dust, and allergens. Installing an air handler with a furnace can make your home air cleaner and better quality.
- Efficient Ductwork: An HVAC system with an air handler distributes conditioned air through ducts throughout your home. The ducts can be designed to heat or cool each room evenly without big temperature differences.
- Added Heating Capacity: An electric furnace has extra heat strips that provide extra heat when needed. Combining this with an air handler is best when it’s cold outside; it ensures your basement wiring won’t freeze.
It’s important to note that unlike a furnace or boiler, which use combustion in a small metal compartment called a heat exchanger, a heat pump uses technology to heat coils outside and acts as an AC unit in summer or winter mode.
You can also improve your HVAC system’s efficiency by adding components like humidifiers/dehumidifiers or UV light purifiers. When deciding if you should add an air handler to your heating system, think about your budget, your home’s size, and if you want to sound like Darth Vader every time the system starts up.
Factors To Consider When Deciding To Add An Air Handler To Your Heating System
Adding an air handler to your heating system is a choice that needs thought. Homeowners often wonder if they need one or not, even if they already have a furnace or heat pump. One thing is for sure: an air handler is a must-have for any HVAC system.
When deciding if investing in an air handler is good, it’s important to consider the pros and cons. An advantage is that it provides extra heat via electric heating elements or heat strips. Plus, it can also enhance indoor air quality by circulating warm air through your home.
But there are some disadvantages. It can increase energy consumption and add more costs to your power bill. The type of heating equipment you have also matters. A gas furnace requires a different type of air handler compared to an electric furnace or heat pump. It all also depends on where you live and the temperatures in your area.
Technology is changing. One device may work better than another, depending on the needs of your home or business. For instance, variable-speed blowers and multi-stage furnaces can provide better performance and efficiency than older HVAC systems.
When it comes to heating and cooling, picking the right one for your home is like choosing between hot soup or ice cream in winter.
Conclusion
When it comes to home HVAC systems, there’s lots to consider. An air handler is one thing you may need. It provides benefits like better air quality and energy efficiency.
An air handler distributes warm or cool air throughout the house, from the furnace in winter, and the AC unit in summer. It also contains an evaporator coil, blower unit, and heating element.
If you live in a place with changing temperatures, or extreme winters, an air handler is especially useful. It gives extra warmth during cold spells, and cools your home in summer.
Not everyone needs an air handler. Natural gas/oil furnaces might not work with one. Check with a professional to be sure.
Choose an air handler based on individual needs. Think about where you live, desired comfort level, and any special house requirements.
I’m a north homeowner with harsh winters. Adding an air handler was essential. But I consulted an expert first. That stopped me from making costly mistakes.