I rarely run the unit in the summer time to cool the house. From an efficiency standpoint, the garage would be a better location than an unconditioned attic. Contact Us for more information on removable insulation blankets for air handlers, or call (203) 672-1021. One problem is the unit is freezing up and a repairman said theres a block of ice in attic. Find costs to replace an air handling unit in an attic or closet. My note: This still does not address the possibility of ventilation exasperating mold issues in the attic. My AC unit, 4 ton, YORK, R22, 21 years old, last serviced 8 years ago, with apparently a non-original universal fan motor with improperly routed reversing wires. In warmer weather, you’ll find water staining in these same areas. Since it was not a major problem, we waited a couple of months before the guy returned to the area. The problem here is health and safety. Last winter we had 35 homes with condensation lines that froze when the the temp dropped. Hot, humid air mixes with the cold internal air of the air handler by the cold … Once it is located, look for a slot where an air filter should fit. An air handler, or air handling unit, is the indoor part of an air-conditioning or heat pump system.Air handlers work much like furnaces in that they efficiently move air throughout the home. The air handler is in the attic and about two months after installation, we saw water damage in the ceiling. I am writing contract on this home is there a problem with this unite? On 2012-09-03 by lottie kenny like to change the attic air filtes, if i can locate . But as has long been attested by many homeowners, the most recognizable challenges that hinder the full maximization of this space is air conditioning. Unless you have a finished attic, you probably aren’t fond of spending time up there during a hot summer day. Who is right? Good units can be on the attic decking, usually on concrete blocks that sit in the emergency drain pan. Air Handler An air handler, or air handling unit, is the indoor part of an air conditioner or heat pump that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home. 4. But with proper ventilation, you can at least bring those temperatures down to match that of the outdoor air. Typically, the unit would be found in a basement, an attic, or sometimes in the back of a closet. I like to add a layer of foam board to both insulate the bottom of the air handler and help eliminate vibration. I am replacing windows and re-siding - adding 2" of foam to the exterior. House is 1575 sqft. The air handlers are in the attic. This is a common occurrence in Florida garages. Is there any way you can get the model number off of your unit? Sometimes I see 3 nails, sometimes 2 nails, sometimes 1, and some time sheet metal screws (See the photos). The attic access opening is of sufficient size to replace the air handler. A notice is posted on the electric service panel indicating to the homeowner that the air handler is located in the attic. The air handler is inside the house along with the blower fan that circulates the air. Humid Air and Air Flow. There is a pipe/cable/tube coming up from outside that is connected to a heat pump for cooling. Might just be hooked up to only serve cool air from an AC, utilizing only the blower rather than the furnace. She has to replace her 16 yo unit now. I've written about how bad it is to put your heating and cooling system in an unconditioned attic, especially in a cooling climate. The indoor AC unit in many Phoenix area homes is attached to your furnace and located in the attic. A home inspector told my daughter to move air handler from attic to garage, when she ever replaces it, for less strain from heat. The air in an attic and garage comes from the same place…outside. Edit, looks like a furnace in the attic really. Air conditioner in an attic, though? The condenser in your air conditioner works hard to get rid of heat and pressurize refrigerant for the return trip through your house. Said notice shall be in all capi-tals, in 16 point type, with the title and first para-graph in … The air handler is the large metal box containing the fan and fan motor. If an air handler is in a garage, attic, crawlspace, or closet, it might experience less air flow and humid air. Discover forced air vs. hydronic. What is this world coming to? Have questions about your air handler in the attic? With no air conditioning vents pumping in cool air and the hot sun beating down on the roof right over your head, attic temperatures can soar. What is an air handler? It's got ducts going into the ceilings of my second floor rooms. This allows your air handler to cool itself, improving efficiency and extending the lifespan of the product. @Machavity, by "air handler" I mean a unit I have in my attic. If I have the air handler put in the attic which is at least 30 degrees warmer than the living space, in South Florida, this is not the best solution, unless you have it very well sealed and insulated. Regarding the steel straps that are used to connect some attic HVAC units to the rafters,I see varying amounts of fasteners holding the steel straps to the rafters. Don’t let the humming and rattling of your air handler disturb your employees, quiet things down with a Thermaxx Jacket. Been in my house 10 years also, and have never cleaned the coil in the air handler. HomeAdvisor's Air Handler Cost Guide gives fan coil unit prices and new air hander prices per size (2, 4, 5-ton) and brand (Lennox, Carrier & more). This entry was posted in Insulation. Seal connections at the air handler. While in your attic, look for areas where the insulation is darkened (see photo), a result of filtering dusty air from the house. However, if you still suspect that you are losing heat through the unit (i. e., the air handler is keeping your attic warm), I’d suggest contacting a local HVAC technician to upgrade your air handler to one that might be better insulated. I disconnected the condensation line and had the water draining in a bucket but had to empty the buckets ever 4 to 6 hours. Your attic is the most susceptible room in the house for this. On 2012-08-24 by Larry There's one place, though, that's even worse: an attached garage, as shown at left. This is a digitized version of an article from The Times’s print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. Photograph 2: Air Handler in Garages - There are complications. In my view, the suggestion to put the air handler in the attic when you have basement space available is insane, especially if it is a conventional vented attic. When we went to look, we saw the location is where there is ductwork. The air handler is in the equipment room. An AC guy said attic location is fine. What you are seeking is a 1" wide hinged or removable cover. But I do run it for about 9 months of the year to heat the house. Same dew point but higher relative humidity. Attics are small, cumbersome spaces that can reach temperatures of 130 degrees in … Attic installations can hurt efficiency to be sure. The main difference is that the air handlers only circulate heat when paired with a heat pump. See Kevorkian. Air handlers usually consist of a large metal box that combines an electric heat strip, blower, and an evaporator coil. Replacement of air handler in main home. Change my intake filter regularly, like you. My 1978 Ranch house in Zone 5 (Southern NY) was constructed with the AC Air handler in the attic. In cold weather, you may see frosty areas in the insulation caused by warm, moist air condensing and freezing as it hits the cold attic air. That's not all; also included in most air handlers are filter racks or a filter chamber. The attic then becomes superheated, which in turn heats up the ductwork—and the cooled air passing through it headed for your in-law suite. Redesign condensate drain line with a trap installed. Air handler in the attic. Need filters for your air handler? The insulation inside the air handler should also be enough to prevent major heat loss in winter months. With so much premium placed on spaces, attic conversion took off as a home remodeling fad. But lately, we’re starting to see more and more HVAC companies install the unit in a conditioned room. 3. He(Heating is gas fired hot water) . Schedule a preventative maintenance checkup for your air handler with your local dealer at least once a year. Usually the air handler (called an evaporator) and the blower are in a unit together and will have the filter close by. 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