How Air Handlers Work—And Why You Should Care Before You Buy

📈 What Exactly Is an Air Handler?

An air handler is basically the indoor partner to your outdoor AC condenser. It houses components like the blower motor and evaporator coil, which work together to circulate cooled or heated air throughout your home.

Think of it as the heart of your home’s airflow system.

⚙️ Main Components

• Blower Motor: Pushes air across the evaporator coil and into your ductwork

• Evaporator Coil: Cools the air (or pulls heat from it in heat pump mode)

• Filter: Removes particles and improves indoor air quality

• Control Board: Communicates with your thermostat and other HVAC components

🔧 How It All Works

1. Your thermostat signals the air handler to start.

2. The blower motor kicks in, drawing warm indoor air through the return ducts.

3. Air passes over the cold evaporator coil, cooling it down.

4. The blower pushes this cooled air through supply ducts into your rooms.

5. Repeat for consistent comfort.

✅ Why It Matters to You

• Efficiency: A high-efficiency blower (like ECM motors) can reduce energy use

• Comfort: Better airflow = more even temps across your home

• IAQ: Integrated filters improve your indoor air quality

• Flexibility: Works with AC-only systems or heat pumps

🔍 What to Look for When Shopping

• Multi-speed or variable-speed motors for better control

• Right size for your home based on Manual J load calculations

• Goodman AMST models for affordable performance and multi-position flexibility

🔗 Goodman AMST Multi-Position Air Handler

📊 Savvy Mavi's Smart Moves

• Choose a unit that matches your outdoor system (R-32 compatible if needed)

• Install in an accessible location—attic or closet setups both work

• Don’t forget maintenance: clean filters = clean air & better airflow

🌱 Final Thoughts

An air handler is more than a box that blows air. It’s a key part of your home’s comfort and efficiency strategy. Know what you’re buying and get the best performance from day one.

Ready for the next blog? Let’s talk about how to choose the right size air conditioner for your space. That one’s a game-changer!