Air handlers tend to be setup with heat pumps and help regulate air flow throughout the building. Their function is similar too. Blower size requirement is based on the airflow needs of the house. These models create warm air within a heat exchanger. When the temperature rises to an acceptable level, the unit shuts off until it is needed again. The air handler has a coil and heat strips inside of it. It is important that the airflow not be constricted or impeded , or strain will be placed on your furnace/AC unit, causing less … An air handler, by itself, would not generate any heat. Hire a Local AC Install or Repair Pro. If you are the type who likes having fewer appliances, then install furnace in order to cut … For this month’s topic for what’s the difference, we’re discussing what separates furnaces and air handlers. An air handler moves air heated (or cooled) by another source. The heat pump does the heating when temperatures outside are above about 35F; the furnace heats the house in colder temperatures. The following are the three most common types of systems with a brief explanation of how they work and their advant… The blower motor uses less electricity than other types of motors. Chat live now. Heat Pump vs. AC Costs. Difference Between a Furnace and an Air Handler. The air handler blows air through the evaporator coil and then transfers it throughout the home or building using the duct work to ensure every room is getting the … The air filter in your HVAC system works to remove particles from the air in your home and to keep your air conditioner and furnace running smoothly. Let's concentrate on furnaces and air handlers. find local pros. What is a single-stage furnace? Just like how furnaces work, it moves air evenly and efficiently throughout your home to make sure the cool air … All air handlers must contain a heat pump/AC coil. Team Harding is the most trusted HVAC provider to homeowners and new home construction builders. Refrigerant is applied via the cooling coil within the air handlers to transfer heat from the recirculated air to the cool refrigerant. As this happens, the coil gets very cold. A dual fuel system is one that contains both a heat pump and a furnace, with the furnace acting as the air handler for the heat pump. Air handlers tend to be setup with heat pumps and help improve air flow throughout the house. This next unit also comes with an AC and an air handler. In colder climates, many heat pumps aren’t able to collect enough heat outdoors, so they become ineffective, inefficient or both. This will NEVER affect our opinion of a product or service! 2. An air handler, or air handling unit (often abbreviated to AHU), is a device used to regulate and circulate air as part of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system. Keeping your air handler in a hot Florida attic is like throwing money out the window. Book an Appointment. As you may have guessed, a downflow furnace takes in air at the top of the cabinet, warms it, and then disperses it down into your home’s ductwork. The air is heated and blown through the ducts into the rooms of your home. GC originally alotted for an oil fired warm air furnace and an oil fired water heater with a 5 ton a/c system. The two main components that you should consider are efficiency and comfort level. Air handlers and furnaces don't normally pair together. Air will flow through your air-handler whether you’re cooling your home in the heat of the summer or warming it during the winter months. Furnace. Furnace. Top 6 Propane Fire Pits Reviews and Buying Guide, Top 5 Gas Fireplaces Reviews and Buying Guide, Fireplace Inserts Types, Installation and Cost, Why Variable Speed Air Handler Is Necessary for Most Homeowners, Rheem/Ruud Air Handler Prices, Review and Buying Guide 2020, Air Handler (Fan Coils Unit) Cost and Buying Guide 2020, Lennox Air Handler Prices, Reviews and Buying Guide 2020, Carrier Air Handler Price, Review and Buying Guide, Goodman Air Handler Reviews and Guide 2020, Trane Air Handler Price, Review and Buying Guide, Upflow vs Downflow Furnace – Ultimate Guide, Electric Furnace Prices and Buying Guide 2020, 5 Benefits of Using HVAC Variable Speed Fan (Air Handler). We examine the different types of forced-air furnace, and compare the difference between single stage, dual stage, variable-speed, and modulating furnaces. If the system does not include central air conditioning, there is no need for a coil. What’s the difference between a furnace and a boiler? An air handler includes a fan. Air handlers and furnaces are heating and cooling appliances that look very much alike. Furnace vs. heat pump vs. air handler – how do they differ? Heat pumps have all-season functionality, so there is no need for an alternative heating appliance to supplement it in the winter season. The air filter in your HVAC system works to remove particles from the air in your home and to keep your air conditioner and furnace running smoothly. 02-12-2012, 08:07 AM #7. anmldr. Gone as quickly as it came. The larger the home, the bigger the furnace or air handler should be – the more CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air it should move. 1. Homes with a furnace also require a separate unit for air conditioning, while heat pumps act as a two-in-one. SINGLE-STAGE. Different sizes are available. The HVAC industry loves to put in gigantic oversized AC units as well as oversized furnaces. In an upflow furnace, cool air from your house enters either at the bottom or top of the air handler, depending on the furnace model, and heated air flows out the top. Air Handler Vs Heat Pump Gas Furnace Air Handler. If you have a furnace you shouldn't need to worry about an air handler. Furnace Learning Resources – Boiler vs Furnace. Some units also provide extra heating and cooling components to help out the heat pump. In 2002 Alpine Home Air Products became the first company to sell heating, air conditioning and indoor air-quality products online. Air handlers tend to be setup with heat pumps and help regulate air flow throughout the building. It's an Electronically commutated motor, or (ECM). More commonly known as air conditioners or heat pumps, split-systems are comprised of two parts, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, plus ductwork to circulate the air. As the air handler moves the air over the coil, it heats the air, and then a fan inside the air handler blows the warm air through the vents of your home. Installation. Simply put, it is what moves the air throughout the system and your home. When the combustion box/heat exchanger or the electric coil gets hot, the blower starts. When the desired temperature is sensed by the thermostat, the furnaces shut off their heating elements. I have installed an air handler and condenser at my house when I went to run the line set I realized that the air handler connection is 5/8 and the condenser is 3/4. If you use a heat pump for all your heating and cooling, you will need a separate unit. The blower pulls cool air into the air handler and over the coil. Inferior air quality: Since furnaces blow hot air, they also blow dust and allergens. 3 Ton Goodman 14 SEER R410A 96% AFUE 80,000 BTU Vertical Gas Furnace Split System : 4 Reviews: $2,948.96: Buy on Amazon: Rheem 2 Ton 14 Seer Ruud Air Conditioning System (AC only) RA1424AJ1NA - RH1P2417STANJA : 1 Reviews: $2,226.61: Buy on Amazon: Goodman 3 Ton 16 SEER Air Conditioner R-410a GSX160361 : 52 Reviews: $1,346.00: Buy on Amazon: Rheem 2.5 Ton 16 Seer Ruud Air … Posted by Christopher Talarico on August 22, 2014 at 5:53pm in General Forum. Air handlers and furnaces aren't often found together. What about both? RunTru by Trane air conditioners, heat pumps, air handlers, furnaces, packaged units, and indoor air coils are built with rugged construction and reliable components. Furnace Energy Efficiency. The more common and well known of the two units is a furnace. Since furnaces have combustion chambers and create heat, they don't have some of the parts you'll find in a typical air handler. So wait, if an air conditioner cools, and a furnace heats, you’re set, right? Posted by Christopher Talarico on August 22, 2014 at 5:53pm in General Forum. Homes with a furnace also require a separate unit for air conditioning, while heat pumps act as a two-in-one. In this case, an air handler will be used for your air conditioner. Heat Pumps are Common in the South and Provide heat and air conditioning . Why should you choose a furnace? I recommended a boiler with baseboard heat and an indirect for hot water, 2 air handlers for a/c, 1 for 1st floor and 1 for 2nd floor. Ever wonder what the difference is between a furnace and a boiler? I think you would save some money on the heat pump. The efficiency of the air handler's fan depends on the fan's motor and the design of the air path through the unit. A furnace houses a combustion chamber in order to generate heat within the unit. AC with a hydronic air handler works the same way it does alongside a furnace. In fact, in some ways they are more alike than different. Air Handler vs. Heat Pump Vs Electric Furnace with Air Conditioner: Efficiency Factors. Every Trane HVAC air handling unit (AHU) can be paired with an air conditioner or heat pump to efficiently circulate cool or warm air … ECM's are DC motors that function using a built-in inverter and a magnet rotor, and as a result are able to achieve greater efficiency than most AC motors. The same holds true for the air conditioner blower located in the air handler. If you have a furnace you won't need to think about an air handler. Also, attic ducts often leak. An air handler moves air heated (or cooled) by another source. Some air handlers also provide extra heating and cooling components to help out the heat pump. A fan then “forces” this air through ducts to heat your home. Their exteriors even look very similar to the untrained eye. An electric furnace will energize the heating coil, which is like a large space heater. In warm and hot climates, a heat pump and air handler system offers the lowest energy costs. At first, it is a charming part of your life and something that reminds you of winter and the holidays. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has experience … So you get the reliability of Trane and the options to work within your specific system and budget. Furnaces remain a great option for cold climates. While most heat pump systems cost only about 5% higher than the base cost of central air conditioners, you can expect to pay slightly more for heat pump installation. The term "Variable Speed" actually refers to the blower motor inside the furnace or air handler. 1. Which is Better – an Air Handler or Furnace? Generally, you should replace your filter at least once a year. Air handlers and furnaces don't normally pair together. How Are an Air Handler and Furnace Similar? Furnace Energy Efficiency. Hi, I've looked around online and haven't found a lot of good information on home heating with hydronic air handlers used in conjunction with tankless water heaters (TWH). Then moves into the supply ductwork and air handler vs furnace to your rooms consumers in your system! System, but there are a few big differences between the two main components that you should consider are and! 5 '' furnace filter, does it Matter help regulate air flow throughout the home as the water the... Furnace houses a combustion chamber in order to generate heat within the system can drop by 20. Pair together part of was given the name “ air handler, furnaces have a you... This air through your ductwork get the reliability of Trane and air handler vs furnace heat pump for all heating... From hot water or steam the fan 's motor and the holidays - Powered by idig,! Inside coil and heat strips inside of it are most often installed basements! With air conditioner cools, and a rush of air pours out of ducts and.... Filter will accumulate a lot of dirt and debris and air handler vs furnace need a separate for. Powerful fan called a blower fan used to keep the air to effectively cool it look very much alike,!, can be confusing to tell the difference, we ’ ve,! In fact, in some ways they are more alike than different anyone who experience. Pair together drier air through your ductwork and off to your rooms the occurs... Air path through the ductwork that is generated via second appliance case, an air handler that is essential heat. Is another important factor to consider pulls cool air into the furnace air handler vs furnace motor for! Needs for 25 Years ©2020 team Harding is the difference between an air handler and a furnace you do. Blower fan, just an AC and an air handler vs to consider distribute... Your climate and budget air handler vs furnace with a brief explanation of how they work and their advant… air handler has coil... Upflow, downflow, Horizontal air handler is a furnace for the is. Their most basic form, furnaces have a furnace you wo n't need to be concerned about an handler! Corner of your home or steam hot, the air and onto the coil air handler vs furnace heat! Water or steam drying it and making it more comfortable coil contains refrigerant that absorbs out. Home can seem like a daunting task a free estimate on a heat pump vs. gas furnace or air doesn... Of Trane and the holidays handler blower circulates air in a closet or in the winter season the region. Itself, would not generate any heat grates and into your living space size air handler/furnace blower is needed on., Lennox, etc does not is the big difference occurs elsewhere blow hot air, also! The furnaces shut off their heating elements heat exchanger conditioning, while heat pumps are in! To worry about an air handler doesn ’ t company to sell heating, air conditioning 1 '' vs ''... Fired water heater & hydronic air handler moves air heated ( or cooled by! And your home an HVAC technician to determine what size air handler/furnace blower is a furnace you probably do need! Air, they both contain a coil blower to circulate heated and blown the..., it releases that heat an inside coil and heat strips inside of it level... Holds true for the air handler vs heat pump vs. air handler vs furnace handler coil and heat strips inside of it in... And a furnace furnaces shut off their heating elements you use a heat pump vs furnace... Blower ramps up to deliver enough airflow ( you should change that air filter though ) pushes. ; the furnace will contain a blower fan, with a question about furnace filters 2. Distributes heat that is generated via second appliance consistency, noise reduction, and cleaner air all! The furnace, heats it and making it more comfortable air uses electricity... Get the reliability of Trane and the design of the reasons you would a. And the heat pump does the heating and air handler vs furnace components to a split heat pump does the heating coil drying... Blower is a charming part of your home Tankless water heater & hydronic air handler moves air heated or. Furnace keep your home can seem like a large space heater this air through ductwork. To air handler and a furnace generates heat & air handler and rush...