Introduction to Air Handlers and Fan Coils
When your HVAC system is having problems, especially with airflow or temperature regulation, you might need to buy a replacement part or new unit to get it functioning in top condition again. In this scenario, you might need to replace an air handler or a fan coil, which are crucial components in air conditioning systems for regulating indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity.
Signs That You Might Need a New Air Handler or Fan Coil
Some common signs that an air handler or fan coil replacement is what you need are:
- Freezing: The air handler or fan coil freezes frequently in the summer.
- Airflow: Your AC unit's airflow or air circulation is weak or inconsistent.
- Noises: The air handler or fan coil makes strange noises.
- Energy bills: You see a large increase in your energy bills caused by total energy usage going up.
- Temperature regulation: You notice uneven temperatures throughout your home or that your system is not heating or cooling properly.
- Indoor air quality: You notice excessive dust in your home and poor indoor air quality.
- Repairs: Your air handler or fan coil needs repairs each year.
- Physical wear/damage: The air handler or fan coil may have holes, cracks, or other physical damage that causes it to malfunction.
When you notice these signs, it’s a good idea to get an inspection from an HVAC professional to determine if a new air handler or fan coil is what you need to get your system working correctly again. Sometimes, it’s just a simple airflow restriction or filter issue, so checking it can help you avoid unnecessarily replacing the part or unit if a simple fix is all that’s needed.
While the air handler and fan coil have similar functions in an HVAC system, they operate in slightly different ways. Therefore, which one you need will depend on the type of system you have. Read on to get a better understanding of how they function.
What Is the Difference Between a Fan Coil and an Air Handler?
One of the biggest differences between an air handler and a fan coil is the type of HVAC system they belong in.
Air handlers, or air handling units, are essential components of larger HVAC systems used in commercial buildings or residential homes with central heating and cooling. They regulate and circulate large volumes of air within these spaces, ensuring efficient air management.
Fan coils are used in smaller HVAC systems, specifically ductless systems. They can be standalone units or part of a larger zoned heating and cooling system. A setup like this is often used to cool single rooms, small spaces in a home, apartments, or hotels.
Air handlers and fan coils operate differently, too. Air handling units pull in fresh air from the outside to recirculate airflow in the building and regulate temperatures. On the other hand, since fan coils are ductless, they can’t pull in or pump air outside. Instead, they recirculate and regulate the air temperature inside your space.
To give you more details, let’s dive further into how they both operate.
Definition and Function of Fan Coils
A fan coil unit facilitates the heating or cooling of a room by recirculating air over a coil filled with refrigerant or hot or cold water. Therefore, if you were trying to cool a room, it would pull in air from inside the room, cool it, and push it back into your space, lowering the overall temperature. It would have a similar function for heating the room, using a coil or refrigerant to add heat to the air instead.
Fan coils also have a filter through which the air passes during operation. Therefore, as they regulate airflow and temperature, they also keep the air in your home fresh, such as minimizing dust.
Fan coils are controlled by an on/off switch or a thermostat. They are installed on ceilings, floors, or in freestanding units. Since they’re ductless, they’re usually very cost-effective and aren’t as expensive to buy or install compared to larger systems that use an air handler.
Definition and Function of Air Handlers
An air handler is a component of a larger central air conditioning and heating system that regulates air temperature in homes and commercial buildings. Air handlers work by:
- Pulling outside air into the home through the intake vents
- Passing the air through a filter that removes dust, pollen, and other contaminants to ensure the air in your space stays fresh.
- Regulating the air temperature by passing it over a heating or cooling coil that removes heat from the air to cool it or adds heat to the air to warm it.
- Pushing the new heated or cooled air through air ducts and into the home.
Air handlers are usually installed in attics, garages, or closets. Two-story houses might also have one on each level. They’re generally linked to a thermostat or control system that helps set the space’s temperature.
What Coils Are in the Air Handler? (Evaporator Coil)
Air handlers generally have coils for both heating and cooling. Let’s review the different types of air handler coils that serve these functions.
Heating Coils
Air handlers can use a couple of different types of coils that facilitate heating. Those are called electric coils or hydronic coils.
Electric heating coils use resistance elements that generate heat when electricity flows through them. These are often part of electric heat systems within air handlers, which include heating packages designed to provide efficient and powerful heating solutions.
On the other hand, hydronic coils use hot water or steam circulated from a boiler to warm the air.
Generally, either type of coil works well to add heat to the air, so you should be in good shape, whichever one you have.
Cooling Coils
The primary cooling coil you’ll see in air handlers is called an evaporator coil. They contain refrigerant, which absorbs heat from the surrounding air as it transitions from liquid to gas. As warm air passes over the evaporator coils, the refrigerant absorbs the heat, causing the air to cool. When paired with a heat pump, the compatibility with air handlers ensures optimal heating efficiency and comfort in homes, as the heat pump works seamlessly with the correctly rated air handler to achieve effective performance.
During this cooling process, evaporator coils also dehumidify the air as moisture condenses on the cold surface of the coil and drains away. Removing humidity is another essential part of AC systems, making your space feel even cooler and more comfortable.
Material Composition of the Coils
Both heating and cooling coils are commonly made from materials like copper or aluminum due to their excellent thermal conductivity. Copper is often favored because it’s better for heat transfer and generally more durable. However, aluminum is also widely used because it’s lighter and more cost-effective.
How Long Do Air Handler Coils Last?
The typical air handler coil lifespan is about 10 to 15 years. However, it depends on several factors, such as usage, maintenance, and environmental conditions. Multi-position air handlers, which can be installed in various configurations like upflow, downflow, and horizontal, offer flexibility for different home layouts. Like all HVAC parts, you can often help them reach a longer lifespan with regular maintenance and some best practices.
Air Handler Maintenance Tips to Extend Coil Lifespan
The best way to maintain the lifespan of your air handler and the coils in your unit is to get an annual inspection from an HVAC professional. During inspection, they can perform coil maintenance to ensure the coils are clean, check for leaks, and check for airflow restrictions that could cause damage to the coils and the rest of your system. For units with variable-speed air handlers, the inspection can also ensure that the blower settings are modulating correctly for enhanced energy efficiency and comfort.
Additionally, if you ever hear weird noises coming from your HVAC system when it’s running or you have temperature control issues in your home, it’s a good idea to get it checked as soon as possible to fix the issue and prevent more serious damage.
Where Are the Coils in My Air Handler?
You might also wonder about the air handler coil location if you want to perform maintenance or replace them yourself.
In most air handlers, the heating coils are located near the fan or blower assembly, which forces air across the heated surface of the coils. Depending on the system, these heating coils can be either at the bottom or the top of the air handler. Hydronic systems with water-based heating coils may have connections for the water supply near the coil.
Cooling coils, typically evaporator coils, are found after the air filter and before the blower in the airflow path. This location ensures warm air from the building passes over the evaporator coils first, allowing the refrigerant to absorb heat and cool the air. Evaporator coils are often positioned in a V or A shape, improving airflow and increasing the surface area for better heat exchange.
A variable-speed fan is crucial for energy efficiency and proper functionality in HVAC systems. It can operate at multiple speeds, enhancing compatibility with other HVAC components, such as heat pumps and air handlers, thereby supporting improved energy savings and comfort features.
When accessing the coils, take proper safety precautions, such as turning off the system’s power first. Proper coil placement is essential since it keeps air flowing through your system to heat and cool evenly. If you place them in the wrong spot, it could obstruct the airflow and increase energy consumption, which would raise your energy bills or potentially cause damage in the long term.
In general, replacing the coils or other parts of your system is usually only recommended if you have prior HVAC knowledge. Otherwise, mistakes could be costly with this type of equipment. So, if you’re ever unsure of what you’re doing, consider contacting an HVAC professional to do it for you instead.
Conclusion
In summary, air handlers and fan coils are essential for proper airflow and temperature regulation in your space. Air handlers are usually found in larger central heating and cooling systems, while fan coils are more common in smaller ductless or zone-based systems.
Regular maintenance can ensure all the parts in your system reach their full lifespan. However, if anything stops working, you can still find new and affordable units or replacement parts with us at Surplus City Liquidators.
Find Affordable Air Handlers and Fan Coils at Surplus City Liquidators
When you need a new air handler or fan coil, Surplus City Liquidators has you covered. We source brand-new parts and HVAC units from top brands in the industry.
When you shop with us, you’ll often find great deals on the parts you need because we buy in bulk to get discounts and pass the savings on to you. That way, when you’re on a budget and need a heating or cooling solution fast, you can get a fix on the way.
You can shop through our convenient online store and have parts shipped straight to your doorstep. Or stop by one of our showrooms in Indiana or Texas to check out your options in person.
Start shopping for air handlers or fan coils today, or contact us with any other questions.
