Leaking Air Handler – Air Leaks

Leaking Air HandlerLeaking Air Handler- Air Leaks - Dear Richard… my partner and I moved into a brand new mill conversion/rehab condo last year that we absolutely love, but after the summer was over, I went into the utility closet (where the air handler/gas furnace are) and noticed that there was copper corrosion crust/rust that had run down from the air handler (not sure from where, but somewhere fairly high up on the AHU). It had dried up, and didn’t seem to be enough to run down the sides of the burner even–no streaks). (more…)

Air Handlers | Heating and Cooling

Caution is always advised around mechanical and electrical equipment including the air handler. Turn the power off before removing any panels.

Air HandlersAir Handlers - An air handler is usually located in the garage, a closet, or in the attic (unless you have a package unit then the air handler is incorporated into one system). It is essential to any AC unit and heating forced air system. All AC units need an air handler or way to move air. It can be a part of your furnace and houses the evaporator coils, the blower motor, and some HVAC controls. It can be an up-flow, downflow, or horizontal flow AHU (air handling unit). (more…)

York VAV Air Handlers | HVAC Zoning

York VAV Air Handlers | HVAC ZoningYork VAV Air Handlers | HVAC Zoning - This York air handling unit serves several VAV boxes and runs on a static pressure control set point determined by a DDC program. This program has a static pressure control setpoint and sends a signal to the variable frequency drive to speed up or slow down the blower to maintain the proper static pressure control setpoint. When the VAV boxes need more air the drive speeds the air handler blower up.

When the VAV boxes need little the drive slows the blower down. The VAV boxes are controlled by a thermostat in their respective zones.

(more…)

Air Handler Blower Motor | HVAC Technical

Warning!! blowers can cause injury if you do not turn the power off! Additionally, blowers that are belt-driven can be harmful to loose clothing and fingers. Be very cautious when working around moving parts such as blowers.

Air Handler Blower MotorAir Handler Blower Motor - All air handling units have a blower located inside the air handler cabinet. The air handler blower motor has a motor that drives it. Some air handling unit blowers are direct drive and some are belt driven.

Many light commercial and residential blowers are direct drive blower motors by the motor’s shaft while many commercial air handling units are belt driven by the blower motor and some sheaves attached to the blower motor shaft and the shaft attached to the blower wheel.

Some sheaves are adjustable and some are not. If the belt is slipping always change the belt first before adjusting the sheave. Adjusting the sheave can cause the unit to produce more or less than designed airflow. Sheaves are typically set by Testing and Balancing HVAC Technicians. (more…)

Inside Air Handling Unit Blower Compartment

Inside Air Handling Unit Blower CompartmentThis photo shows the air handler blower compartment. This is how the air handler is opened when the blower needs service or repair. The evaporator coil is on top of the blower which makes this an upflow air handling unit. The supply air ductwork will be above the AHU. Since this air handler is installed in a closet then the ductwork is installed in the ceiling and makes this an ideal installation for AC since cool air falls. (more…)

Attic Installation Horizontal Flow Air Handler | HVAC Airflow

Attic Installation Horizontal Flow Air Handler – Attic Air Handler – AHUThis is a horizontal flow air handler installed in the attic. Notice the drain pan under the air handling unit to catch condensation if the primary pan were to overflow. This is the secondary condensation pan which is installed under the air handler to save a ceiling.

Also slightly visible is a float switch which offers triple protection against flooding in an attic if the primary drain were to plug up. The primary and secondary drains coming from the air handler also drain into condensation pumps. These pumps have floats inside them and a reservoir. (more…)