When the time comes for a new HVAC system, you’ll have no shortage of options. Understanding how modern HVAC systems work is essential for selecting the right system. One of the factors that you must consider is the type of air handler that’s right for your home’s needs. There are multiple options with differing feature sets to choose from. Read on to select the perfect air handler for your new HVAC system.
What Is an Air Handler and What Does It Do?
As its name suggests, an air handler is an HVAC component that moves air around your home. It pulls in air through your home’s return ducts and distributes it through its supply ducts. If your HVAC includes a furnace, its air handler will share a cabinet with its burners. Assuming your HVAC is also a central AC system, the air handler will house the AC evaporator coils.
Your HVAC air handler is also where the system’s control circuitry resides. It connects to your thermostat and receives control commands from it. The control circuitry also turns your furnace and outdoor unit on and off as necessary.
However, contrary to popular belief, the air filter in an HVAC air handler isn’t there to clean your home’s air. Its main job is to prevent the buildup of dust and dirt in the air handler’s fan and coils. That preserves your HVAC system’s efficiency. Improving the air quality in your home is just a positive side effect of the process.
Types of Air Handlers
When you’re evaluating your air handler options, you’ll need to know how they differ from one another. Here are the major air handler types you might choose.
Single-stage Air Handlers
The most common type of HVAC air handler is a single-stage one. They are also sometimes known as single-speed air handlers. The name describes the functionality of the blower fan in the cabinet.
Single-stage air handlers feature fans that can only operate at one speed. That also makes them the cheapest air handler option in most cases. Single-stage air handlers are typically at the lower end of the available energy efficiency range.
Two-stage Air Handlers
A two-stage air handler is the next step up from single-stage models. They feature blower fans with two preset speeds. Although different models vary, most two-stage air handlers can operate at 100% or 65% speed. The slower fan speed allows the air handler to conserve electricity when you don’t require significant indoor temperature changes.
It’s important to know that a two-stage air handler requires a matching outdoor compressor. The compressor must also have multi-speed capabilities. Otherwise, your system would suffer frozen evaporator coils whenever its blower slowed down. The need for a multi-speed compressor means a higher upfront cost. It also means higher potential repair costs if your system ever breaks down. In exchange, your home will enjoy fewer temperature swings and moderately higher energy efficiency.
Variable-speed Air Handlers
A variable-speed air handler contains an electronically commutated motor (ECM). Those can operate at variable speeds based on the voltage supplied. In practice, variable-speed air handlers can operate at 700 or more distinct speeds. Like two-stage air handlers, variable-speed models also require upgraded compressors. Most include inverter-driven compressors capable of modulating their refrigerant output to nearly any needed volume.
The ability to work with an inverter-driven compressor gives a variable-speed air handler significant advantages. One is that they offer maximized energy efficiency. A variable-speed system typically turns on at full speed to accommodate thermostat changes. However, it gradually reduces its speed instead of cycling on and off afterward. Then, it continues running at a drastically lower speed to maintain your home’s temperature.
Variable-speed air handlers also work well with HVAC zoning systems. Their ability to scale their capacity up and down maximizes the benefits of the zoning system. For example, a variable speed system will activate at reduced capacity if a single zone needs heating or cooling. That eliminates wasteful energy use and large temperature swings within your zones.
What To Consider When Choosing an Air Handler
Generally, your choice of air handler will come down to a handful of factors. Typically, the most important among them is your budget. Budgetary concerns are why single-stage air handlers are the most common choice for most homeowners considering new AC installation or a new furnace. Single-stage systems are the cheapest option, followed by two-stage and variable-speed models.
The next factor that will likely influence your decision is how much energy efficiency you’re willing to pay for. On the air conditioning side, you can expect single-stage air handlers to come with the lowest SEER ratings. Single-stage systems also typically work with standard furnaces, with AFUE ratings in the 80s.
Two-stage systems can be a bit confusing concerning efficiency. Frequently, two-stage systems will feature similar SEER ratings to single-stage models. However, SEER ratings only apply to the high setting for a two-stage system. As a result, they don’t always reflect the actual efficiency differences. In practice, the low speed of a two-stage system can use up to 35% less electricity. If your system spends most of its time operating at its lower speed, your efficiency gains would be significant.
A variable-speed air handler will typically have the highest SEER ratings of your choices. That’s because most variable-speed systems are the top-of-the-line offered by manufacturers. Two-stage and variable-speed systems also tend to pair with condensing furnaces. Those often have AFUE ratings of 90 and above.
Two-stage and variable-speed air handlers also have slightly longer expected lifespans than single-stage models. That’s due to suffering less wear and tear while operating at lower speeds. However, the efficiency gains from such systems rarely pay you back for their increased cost. So, if you hope to recoup your investment in a high-end HVAC, don’t count on it. However, you will enjoy superior comfort compared to a single-stage system, which might be worth it to you.
Local HVAC Installation Experts
If you’re looking for a new HVAC for your Chandler, AZ home, Emergency Air Heating Cooling & Plumbing can help. We’re a reliable HVAC company that’s served local homeowners since 1997. We sell and install the latest heating systems and ACs from industry leaders Carrier and Bryant. Our team of expert HVAC technicians also knows the systems we sell inside and out. They can help you choose wisely based on their decades of practical experience. They will also provide you with a flawless installation of any system you choose.
We also offer HVAC maintenance and repair services, along with plumbing and septic services. We even provide two years of complimentary maintenance services on all newly installed HVAC systems. And we offer an on-time guarantee, so you can expect us to keep our appointments or you’ll pay no service fee. We’re also BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and have over 800 five-star reviews.
So, when you’re ready for a new HVAC system for your Chandler home, call Emergency Air Heating Cooling & Plumbing immediately!
