If you've been experiencing unusual noises, inadequate cooling or heating, excessive dust and poor indoor air quality, escalating energy bills, frequent repairs, aging system, insufficient airflow, or uneven temperatures in your home, it may be time to consider replacing your air handler.
We've already explained how a dirty air filter can cause weak air, but did you know that holes or large cracks in an air handler can also contribute to this problem? They can also contribute to reduced air quality by allowing mold and mildew to take root and grow.
Your typical central air conditioning connected to an air handler and using ductwork can last as long as 30 years with good luck and maintenance but will generally need to be replaced somewhere between 10 and 20 years.
An air handler costs $1,500 to $3,400 to replace, depending on the ton size, brand, and type. Air handler prices are $700 to $1,600 for the unit alone, plus $800 to $1,800 for replacement labor. Air handler fan coil units from top brands like Trane, Carrier, and Lennox cost the most.
Yes, Technically. Not advisable. Cost — While it's cheaper at the time to just replace part of the system, if you have to make repairs on the part you didn't replace or end up replacing the 2nd part at a later date it will end up costing more than it would have to replace the entire system.
Strange Rattling, Clanking, or Screeching
One of the first signs you may notice when there's an issue with the blower motor is a strange noise coming from the indoor unit or air handler.
My Air Handler's Not Blowing
Without regular maintenance, the motor may give out sooner. A professional HVAC technician can repair or replace a broken motor, getting your fan up and running.
When you power up your AC unit, listen for a slight humming noise from the compressor. If you hear this, your capacitor may be struggling to start your AC's fan motor. In conjunction with a delay in turning on, this hum almost guarantees that your capacitor is heading for failure.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that homeowners replace their HVAC system every 10 to 15 years. Although heating and cooling systems are meant to endure heavy usage, their components will start to wear out after 10 years.
First make sure there is power to the indoor unit and that a switch or breaker isn't off. Some indoor units (Heat Pumps) have breakers right on the Air Handler itself. But also check the main breaker panel. Some units have a shutoff switch on the side of the unit or an Emergency Switch located on a wall.
The fan or the blower in your air handler unit is responsible for blowing conditioned air through the ductwork throughout your home. You can identify trouble with the fan when it starts to make strange noises or when you can't feel air coming out of your ductwork.
Not all air conditioning units have a reset button, but if yours does, it's typically located on the outdoor unit. Here's how to locate it: Turn Off the Power: Before you search for the reset button, ensure the power to the unit is turned off for safety reasons.
There are a number of reasons why your air conditioner might be running but not cooling. It could be an issue with the thermostat, the compressor, or the evaporator coils. Or, it could simply be clogged with dust and debris, which is preventing it from working properly.
Like furnaces, air handlers use a blower motor and fan to move conditioned air throughout the ductwork of your home. Lennox offers air handlers with either a variable-speed or single speed blower motor: Variable-speed motors provide the highest level of comfort and energy efficiency.
Air handler replacement averages $2,300, with most homeowners paying between $1,500 and $3,400. Unit costs vary from $600 to $2,100 or more depending on size, type, brand, and other factors. Hiring an HVAC technician for installation represents about 50% of total project costs.
Thermostat: 5-10 years; smart thermostats need sensor replacements in 2-3 years. Heat Exchangers: 15-25 years made with modern materials; 30+ with cast iron. Commercial air handler: 15-20 years.
Some air conditioning systems have a reset switch, which is a small, red button. Typically, the button will be on the outdoor unit. If you have a problem locating it on the outdoor unit, you may find relevant details on the equipment's manufacturer's manual. Press the red button for three seconds and release.
Generally, you can install these air conditioners yourself if they don't require modifications to your home — in fact, some units are designed explicitly with DIY installation in mind.