Performance Air Handlers

In simplest terms, an air handler moves air. The simplest air handler consists of a filter, fan, motor, and coil.

Air handlers are usually sized based on the amount of cubic airflow that is moved through the unit (Cubic Feet per Minute – CFM). Air handlers can range in size from 200 cfm up to 150,000 cfm.

As air handlers get more complex, different features are added to the unit to help solve application problems in the building. Typical application solutions include humidity control, higher efficiency, quiet acoustics, improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and improved comfort control.

There are many different varieties of air handlers for different applications. Air handlers are segmented into how they are serving a space and where they are installed.

Air handlers can be installed in a terminal location or one unit serving many locations. An example is one unit per space is when a school mounts units in the hallway ducts into a classroom. Each classroom in this application has its own air handler. An example of one unit serving many spaces can be called a Variable Air Volume Air Handling (VAV) unit. In this installation, a unit can be mounted in a single location and ducted to many different locations.

Air handlers can also be segmented on where they are installed. Some air handlers are meant to be installed indoors and can be installed in closets of Mechanical Equipment Room (MER). Other air handlers are installed outdoors, for example on the roof of a building.

It is very important for air handlers to have filters. Filters remove containments from the air to help coils operate at peak efficiency and maximize heat transfer.

Filter efficiency is defined by a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). The higher the MERV value, the higher the efficiency and the more particles are captured by the filter.

Filters are a serviceable component on an air handler. To ensure your system is operating at peak efficiency, filters should be changed regularly.