An air handler is an essential part of many residential HVAC systems, working to circulate conditioned air throughout your home. Commonly paired with a heat pump or air conditioning system, an air handler houses components such as the blower and evaporator coil that help move cooled or heated air through your ductwork.

Whether you're replacing an existing unit or installing a new HVAC system, choosing the right air handler means matching it to your outdoor equipment, home size, system capacity, and efficiency requirements.

Shop Residential Air Handlers

Our selection of residential air handlers includes options for a variety of HVAC system configurations and capacities. Air handlers are available with features such as multi-speed or variable-speed blower motors, electric heat compatibility, and different installation orientations.

When selecting an air handler, it's important to consider more than just the tonnage. The indoor and outdoor equipment must be properly matched to achieve the intended efficiency, capacity, and overall system performance.

Air Handlers for Heat Pump and AC Systems

Air handlers are commonly used as the indoor component of heat pump systems and certain central air conditioning systems. During cooling, refrigerant passes through the indoor coil while the blower moves air across the coil and distributes cooled air throughout the home.

When paired with a heat pump, the process can be reversed to provide heating. Many air handlers can also accommodate an electric heat kit for supplemental or backup heat when the system requires it.

Choosing the Right Air Handler

Before purchasing a replacement air handler, verify the model number, capacity, refrigerant type, voltage, installation orientation, and compatibility with the outdoor unit. Matching equipment by tonnage alone does not guarantee that the components are designed or certified to operate together.

For complete system replacements, selecting a properly matched indoor and outdoor combination can help ensure the system delivers its rated efficiency and capacity.

Air Handler FAQs

What does an air handler do?

An air handler circulates conditioned air through your home's ductwork. Depending on the system, it typically contains an indoor coil, blower motor, filter area, and other components used to support heating and cooling.

Is an air handler the same as a furnace?

No. A furnace generates heat using a fuel source such as natural gas, while an air handler primarily moves conditioned air and contains the indoor coil. Air handlers are especially common with heat pump and all-electric HVAC systems.

Does an air handler work with a heat pump?

Yes. Air handlers are commonly paired with heat pumps. The air handler serves as the indoor portion of the system, while the heat pump provides heating and cooling through the refrigeration cycle.

Can I replace just my air handler?

In some cases, but the replacement must be compatible with the existing outdoor equipment. Refrigerant type, capacity, efficiency requirements, controls, and approved equipment combinations should all be considered before replacing only the indoor unit.

What size air handler do I need?

Air handlers are commonly available in capacities ranging from about 1.5 to 5 tons, but the correct size depends on the home's heating and cooling requirements and the outdoor equipment being paired with it. A properly performed load calculation and equipment match should be used rather than choosing equipment based solely on square footage.

Do air handlers provide heat?

An air handler does not typically generate heat on its own. When paired with a heat pump, it distributes heat produced by the heat pump. Many models can also be equipped with electric heat kits to provide supplemental or auxiliary heating.

Where are air handlers installed?

Depending on the model and configuration, air handlers may be installed in locations such as a basement, utility room, closet, attic, or crawl space. Many models support multiple installation orientations, but the approved configuration varies by unit.