Air Handler Components

Air Handler Components. This article will take different types of air handlers and disassemble them part by part. This will give you a good description of each part and hopefully a better understanding of the air handler. Most of the components associated with the air handler are in the air handler. However, there are a few components which are not in the air handler but associated with the air handler.

There are some hot water and cold water coils which are not fixed in the air handler. They are downstream in the ductwork. There are also some gas and electric duct heaters which are mounted in the ductwork. They are completely reliant on the air handler for air flow. These systems will also be covered. Hopefully, this article will offer you a comprehensive look at the air handler, all its parts, and how it functions. (more…)

Air Handler Filter Pressure Sensor

Air Handler Filter Pressure Sensor and Low Static PressureAir Handler Filter Pressure Sensor - This is a pressure sensor. It tells a maintenance technician if the air filters are dirty and clogged. The pressure control is a low static pressure switch to trip the unit if the mixing box drops below the setpoint pressure. The pressure the switch is calibrated to.

In addition, the low static pressure sensor protects the fan and the ductwork including dampers from damage. If the economizer damper and the return air damper would fail closed (or another possible scenario) that would cause the unit to pull negative pressure in the mixing box. (more…)

HVAC Duct Work – Air Handling Unit Duct

HVAC Duct Work - Air Handling Unit Duct - Air Handler Duct WorkHVAC Duct Work delivers the conditioned air to the spaces. The Air Handling Duct channels this conditioned air to spaces where it is needed and then a return duct channels the air back to the air handling unit duct for re-conditioning. The return ductwork has a negative pressure while the supply ductwork has positive pressure.

In commercial systems and tight residential homes, it is necessary to add fresh air to this conditioned air so the air remains fresh and healthy for the occupants of the structure. This is required by the mechanical code and often this air comes through ductwork from the outside. (more…)

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…)

Refrigerant Pump-Down Method | HVAC Refrigeration

Refrigerant Pump-Down Method - Can an HVAC Technician “Park” Refrigerant in the Condenser? What you will learn from Refrigerant Pump-Down Method article:

  1. We answer a technical question by one of our readers concerning the refrigerant pump-down method
  2. Why the refrigerant pump-down method is useful for HVAC technicians and for the consumer
  3. Why it saves the contractor time and money. Savings he can pass on to the consumer
  4. Alternatives to the refrigerant pump-down method
  5. How and why commercial chillers do the refrigerant pump-down method

(more…)

Duct Work | Heating and Cooling Mechanical

Duct WorkMost air conditioning and heating systems require some form of ductwork. Ductwork channels or directs the air to places in the dwelling where the conditioned air is needed. There are many types of ductwork available. Often times the ductwork can make a big difference in your utility bills. For that reason, it is important that the ductwork is installed correctly by qualified installation technicians. (more…)