Asked by: Esteve Prokurorov
home and garden indoor environmental quality

Can I just replace the air handler?

23
Unfortunately, the short answer is yes. You should replace your indoor air handler at the same time as your outdoor heat pump — or air conditioning unit if it's that time of year.


Correspondingly, how much does it cost to replace an air handler?

An air handler costs $500 to $3,500, with most homeowners paying $700 to $1,500. This does not include installation, which averages $1,500 and ranges $200 to $2,100. Air handlers connect to an air conditioner or heat pump to provide cooled or heated air for an indoor space.

Additionally, does the air handler and condenser have to match? " The answer is yes, but with some caveats. You have to make sure the units you have match appropriately. You can't just go to a store and buy the first condenser you see and match it with the air handler in your house. They might work together.

Besides, how long does it take to replace an air handler?

Generally speaking, a full HVAC system replacement will take around three days to complete; one day for the changeout, and two days to do the ductwork. More extensive ductwork might require three or four days.

How much does it cost to replace an AC coil?

The average cost to replace a Central AC evaporator coil is around $710, when the parts are under manufacturer warranty and you only pay the labor cost. Out of warranty coil repair cost is approximately $1,460 for parts and installation.

Related Question Answers

Vitorino Abubekerov

Professional

Where should air handler be installed?

To avoid the need for long ducting that can reduce efficiency, the air handler is best installed as close to the center of the home as possible. Two common installation choices are a utility closet inside the house or a well-sealed equipment room in the garage.

Aminul Artliff

Professional

How much does it cost to replace air handler and condenser?

Home AC Condenser Repair & Replacement Cost
Repairing an air conditioner condenser costs an average of $150 to $1,000 or more. Replacing the entire coil runs $900 to $2,800. Labor alone makes up about half the fees. HVAC technicians charge anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour.

Encarni Pleba

Professional

What is a AC air handler?

The ac air handler is the part of an air conditioning system that circulates air through the home. The ac air handler pulls air it in through the intake vents. The ac air handler then blows the air out through the ducts and distributes it throughout the home. The ac air handler is often located inside the home.

Abdellah Geir

Explainer

What is an air handler in a house?

An air handler, or air handling unit (often abbreviated to AHU), is a device used to regulate and circulate air as part of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. Sometimes AHUs discharge (supply) and admit (return) air directly to and from the space served without ductwork.

Xuzhen Mentzen

Explainer

How much does a 2 ton air handler cost?

Air Handler (Fan Coil Unit) Prices By Size
Fan Coil Size Home Size Unit Installed
1.5 ton 600-1000 sf $1,820
2 ton 1001-1300 sf $2,050
2.5 ton 1301-1600 sf $2,270
3 ton 1601-1900 sf $2,400

Floro Isasi

Explainer

Who makes the best air handler?

Top 5 air conditioner brands
  1. Trane. Trane systems are the top-of-the-line.
  2. Amana. Michigan-based Amana has been manufacturing systems since 1934.
  3. Carrier. Carrier was founded in 1912 in Florida.
  4. Lennox. Lennox, headquartered in Texas, was founded in 1895.
  5. Rheem. Rheem is best known for high-end water heaters.

Logan Frere

Pundit

What is the difference between an air handler and a furnace?

A furnace is an appliance that generates heat for a building by burning fuel, then distributes the heat through ducts into the rooms of the building. An air handler is an appliance that blows heated or cooled air through ducts.

Mariuxi Severini

Pundit

How much does it cost to replace a 3 ton air conditioner and air handler?

Installing a 3-ton AC unit averages $3,800. But this cost varies greatly and can be as high as $5,000 or more. Be sure to consult a pro to get the most accurate estimate for this project. Or, try out this AC size calculator below.

Gorgonio Lauterborn

Pundit

How long should an air handler last?

Many professionals say that, roughly, an AC system should last about 15-20 years. AC units last less time than furnaces – 15 years as opposed to 20 years – because they are typically outdoors and subject to weather extremes.

Aruma Jackenkroll

Pundit

How much does it cost to replace AC air handler?

Cost to Install Air Handler
Air Handler Costs Zip Code Units
Basic Better
Air Handler – Installation Cost $150.25 - $175.35 $190.50 - $220.05
Air Handler – Total $1135.25 - $1325.35 $1445.50 - $1545.05
Air Handler – Total Average Cost per Unit $1230.30 $1495.28

Jacqui Schonfeld

Pundit

How much does a carrier air handler cost?

Carrier Air Handler (Fan Coil Unit) Prices by Size
Air Handler Size Home Size System Installed
2.5 ton 1301-1600 sf $1,140 to $2,055
3 ton 1601-1900 sf $1,225 to $2,165
3.5 ton 1901-2200 sf $1,360 to $2,270
4 ton 2201-2600 sf $1,570 to $2,400

Ligaya Harbart

Teacher

How long does it take to cool a house the first time the air conditioner is started?

For an average sized three to four bedroom house, it should take approximately 3 hours. If it's been longer than that and your home is nowhere near the temperature you set on the thermostat, you may have other issues to deal with, such as dirty coils, issues with the condenser unit, or a refrigerant leak.

Aynoha Schwaighofer

Teacher

Do I need an air handler?

If you live in a warm climate, where the combination of an air handler and air conditioner or heat pump provides sufficient heating and cooling, it's time to look at air handlers. The heating elements can also work in tandem with a heat pump for greater efficiency. It depends on the system you select for your climate.

Nile Tetschke

Teacher

Does New AC unit add value to house?

On average, adding a central AC can increase your house's value by 10%, a value that falls a few thousand bucks short of the costs, especially if you're planning to put it up for sale soon.

Catalin Aichelin

Teacher

Can you replace just the outside AC unit?

Often, a technician will recommend that you replace both the inside and outside portions of the air conditioner, but there are some exceptions to this. For example, if the air conditioner is relatively new and under warranty, your manufacturer may provide you with a new completely compatible unit at little or no cost.

Mohamadou Servio

Reviewer

How much does a Trane air handler cost?

Trane Air Handler (Fan Coil Unit) Prices by Size
Air Handler Size Home Size System Installed
3 ton 1601-1900 sf $1,250 to $2,165
3.5 ton 1901-2200 sf $1,380 to $2,290
4 ton 2201-2600 sf $1,590 to $2,420
5 ton 2601-3200 sf $1,800 to $2,680

Gicu Eckel

Reviewer

How long does it take to replace an outside AC unit?

If you are changing out an older AC unit for a newer or similar one, the job will generally take one day, or eight hours – as long as the other components, like the ductwork, remain the same.

Mar [email protected]

Reviewer

How do you know if the evaporator coil is bad?

If the airflow feels weak or doesn't turn on right away, you might have a refrigerant leak. Other signs include warm air coming through the vents, hissing noises from the outdoor A/C unit, frozen evaporator coils on the outdoor unit, and unpleasant odors when you turn on the heating or cooling system.

Turia Fougeray

Reviewer

Why does my air handler keeps running?

When your system's air filter is full of dirt and debris, the flow of air is restricted, which can impede the functioning of your air conditioner. Without enough air flowing over the coils, the system can't remove humidity and cool the air to the set temperature, so it keeps running when it shouldn't.

Co-Authored By:

EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

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3rd April, 2020

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