What’s Inside the AWST30LU1310 Vertical Air Handler:
Tony Breaks Down the Components
Introduction — Tony Here: Let’s Talk About What’s REALLY Inside Your Air Handler
Most homeowners look at their air handler and think:
“It’s just a big metal box in the closet… right?”
Not even close.
The Goodman AWST30LU1310 Vertical Air Handler is the heart of your 2-ton system. It’s where airflow is created, heat is transferred, humidity is removed, and comfort is controlled.
If the outdoor unit is the engine…
the air handler is the transmission.
But here’s the part nobody tells homeowners:
Every component inside that air handler determines how efficient, quiet, dependable, and long-lasting your entire system will be.
This guide breaks down:
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What each internal part does
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How these components work together
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What makes this Goodman air handler special
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What noise, failures, or symptoms these parts cause
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How to keep the system healthy for 15+ years
Let’s open the cabinet — the Tony way.
1. Understanding the Big Picture: Why the Air Handler Is More Important Than You Think
Your outdoor heat pump can be perfect…
but if the air handler is wrong?
You’ll get:
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Uneven temperatures
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High electric bills
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Weak airflow
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Humidity problems
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Hot and cold spots
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Shortened equipment life
That’s why understanding the AWST30LU1310 matters.
Goodman designed this air handler for:
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2-ton systems
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Vertical mounting
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Energy efficiency
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Strong airflow
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Long coil life
👉 DOE – HVAC Air Handler Basics
Your comfort starts inside this cabinet.
2. The Blower Motor — The Lung of the Entire System
This is the most important moving part inside the air handler.
The blower motor:
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Pulls return air in
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Pushes conditioned air out
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Regulates airflow speed
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Influences humidity removal
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Impacts system efficiency
This model uses a multi-speed ECM blower motor, which gives:
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Quieter operation
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Better efficiency
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Smooth ramp-up
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More precise airflow
Symptoms of blower issues:
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Weak airflow
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Whistling vents
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Loud humming
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Uneven heating/cooling
👉 Blower Motor Operation & Airflow Guide
Treat the blower as the “heart” of the system.
3. The Evaporator Coil — Where All the Cooling Magic Happens
The evaporator coil is a critical heat-exchange component.
This Goodman unit uses an all-aluminum A-coil, which delivers:
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Better corrosion resistance
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Better longevity than copper/aluminum mixes
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Higher efficiency
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Strong moisture removal
What happens inside the coil:
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Liquid refrigerant enters
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It absorbs heat from indoor air
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Humidity condenses and drains away
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Refrigerant vapor returns to the outdoor unit
Common coil symptoms:
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Ice buildup
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Weak cooling
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Water leaks
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High humidity
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Musty smell
👉 Evaporator Coil Performance & Maintenance
A clean coil = a healthy system.
4. The TXV or Piston Metering Device — Your Hidden Efficiency MVP
Your metering device determines how refrigerant flows into the coil.
This air handler supports:
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Factory-installed TXV (Thermal Expansion Valve)
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Orifice piston setups (depending on system match)
A TXV automatically adjusts refrigerant flow for:
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Better efficiency
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Better coil performance
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Better humidity control
Symptoms of TXV issues:
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Coil freezing
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Poor cooling
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Long run times
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High bills
👉 Refrigerant Metering Device Overview
A properly functioning TXV keeps your SEER2 rating intact.
5. Electric Heat Strips — The Backup Heat That Saves Winter
Your AWST30LU1310 can be equipped with:
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5 kW
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8 kW
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10 kW
…heat strip kits.
These provide auxiliary heat when:
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Outdoor temp drops
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You’re recovering from a setback
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The heat pump enters defrost mode
Perfectly normal — not a failure.
Symptoms of heat strip problems:
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Burning smell
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High electric bills
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No emergency heat
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Lukewarm airflow in winter
👉 Heat Strip Safety & Operation Guide
Heat strips = reliability in freezing weather.
6. The Condensate Drain System — The Most Overlooked Component
When cooling, your coil pulls moisture out of the air. That water has to go somewhere.
Inside the AWST30LU1310 you’ll find:
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Primary drain
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Secondary drain
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Drain pan
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Float switch option for protection
If this system gets clogged?
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Water leaks
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Mold growth
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System shutdown
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Closet or attic damage
Symptoms:
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Standing water
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Musty smell
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Unit shutting off randomly
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Rust in drain pan
Your drain line is small…
but it protects your home.
7. The Cabinet, Seals & Insulation — Quiet Operation Starts Here
Goodman designed this cabinet to reduce noise and heat loss.
Features include:
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Heavy-gauge steel cabinet
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Internal insulation
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Air-tight seals
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Removable panels for service
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Vertical orientation efficiency
These help with:
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Reduced vibration
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Quieter blower operation
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Better airflow pressure
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Lower energy waste
Symptoms of cabinet issues:
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Rattling
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Air leaks
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Dust infiltration
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Higher energy bills
👉 HVAC Cabinet & Airflow Sealing Guide
If it leaks air, it leaks money.
8. Control Board & Sensors — The “Brain” of the Air Handler
Inside the air handler is a smart control board that manages:
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Blower speeds
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Heat strip activation
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Defrost signals from the outdoor unit
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Safety limits
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Thermostat communication
This is the central nervous system of your system.
Common issues:
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Short cycling
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Heat strips stuck on
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Blower not running
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System failing to start
Control boards don’t fail often — but when they do, you’ll know it.
9. Return & Supply Air Connections — Where Airflow Lives or Dies
Even the best air handler in the world fails if the ductwork is wrong.
Your AWST30LU1310 depends on:
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Correct return duct size
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Balanced supply airflow
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Minimal static pressure
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Sealed connections
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Proper plenum design
Symptoms of duct issues:
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Loud airflow
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Uneven temperatures
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High electric bills
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Constant blower strain
Most “equipment problems” are actually duct problems.
10. Tony’s Final Take (Bottom Line)
Here’s the straight truth:
The AWST30LU1310 air handler is the backbone of the Goodman 2-ton heat pump system.
It’s packed with components that:
✔ Control airflow
✔ Manage humidity
✔ Regulate refrigerant
✔ Provide backup heat
✔ Protect your home from leaks
✔ Keep the system running efficiently
✔ Support quiet operation
✔ Extend the outdoor unit’s lifespan
This air handler isn’t “just a metal box.”
It’s the brain, lungs, and circulation system of your entire HVAC setup.
If you understand what’s inside — and take care of it —
your system will reward you with comfort, quietness, and long-term reliability.
