What is the typical purpose of an air handler in an HVAC system?

What is the typical purpose of an air handler in an HVAC system?

• A. To circulate conditioned air through the building and house an indoor coil
• B. To compress refrigerant
• C. To vent outdoor air only
• D. To heat water

Answer: (C)

The main function of an air handler is to move air through the building and house the indoor coil that actually conditions it. A blower inside the air handler pushes return air across the evaporator coil (the indoor coil), where refrigerant absorbs heat from the air in cooling mode or releases heat in heating mode, and then sends the conditioned air back into the ductwork to rooms. The air handler itself doesn’t compress refrigerant—that’s the job of the outdoor compressor/condenser unit. It also isn’t meant to vent outdoor air exclusively; ventilation may be provided separately or via dampers, but the core purpose is circulating air and housing the indoor coil. It certainly doesn’t heat water; that’s done by a boiler or water heater.

The main function of an air handler is to move air through the building and house the indoor coil that actually conditions it. A blower inside the air handler pushes return air across the evaporator coil (the indoor coil), where refrigerant absorbs heat from the air in cooling mode or releases heat in heating mode, and then sends the conditioned air back into the ductwork to rooms. The air handler itself doesn’t compress refrigerant—that’s the job of the outdoor compressor/condenser unit. It also isn’t meant to vent outdoor air exclusively; ventilation may be provided separately or via dampers, but the core purpose is circulating air and housing the indoor coil. It certainly doesn’t heat water; that’s done by a boiler or water heater.