Air Handlers Circulate Air in the HVAC System
Within your HVAC system is an air handler, responsible for conditioning and circulating air. The air handler is a large metal box, located towards the bottom of your HVAC system, containing heating and cooling elements along with a blower to circulate the air into the home. The air handler is part of the areas of the HVAC system that are checked in Durham during an HVAC maintenance tune-up.
Filters are also present to filter the air as it travels through the system. The air handler connects to a system of ductwork that is in place to distribute the conditioned air. Pulling air in from the home’s air returns and blowing the air across a heating coil to evenly to send throughout the home makes this a vital part of the HVAC system. At Boer Brothers Heating and Cooling in Durham, our HVAC maintenance program will protect your air handler from excessive wear and tear, keeping your HVAC system healthy and efficient.
The interior surfaces of the air handlers contains fiberglass insulation to absorb sound, keep the system insulated, and maintain a quiet operation of the HVAC system. When properly maintained, the air handler insulation will have a long-term life expectancy.
Potential Issues with the Air Handler
Most often, the replacement of the blower motor is the most frequent repair made to air handlers. The blower motor needs to be replaced when it malfunctions as a result of age, restricted air flow from dusty and dirty filters, or too much moisture from damp basements. Another repair that is sometimes needed is to unclog the drain line for the condensate. Occasionally, algae creates this problem, so adding anti-algae tablets to the drain will help to prevent it from happening again.
When the drain becomes clogged and the pan under the unit fills with water, the system should shut off as a result of the safety switch. This is extremely important if your air handler is located in the attic. A problem with the safety switch not operating correctly could lead to an over flow of water from the pan, draining into your ceiling. In Durham, preventative HVAC maintenance is necessary since the safety switch function and pan under the unit are checked during an inspection, to ensure reliability and safety. A leak from the pan could cause a lot of damage to your ceiling, floors and furniture. With regularly scheduled maintenance, you can avoid a large system shut down from occurring and keep the indoor air quality and comfort of your home at peak performance throughout the year.