If you have a split unit that includes a furnace inside, then the furnace likely handles the distribution of the cold air and warm air via it’s blower and connecting ductwork. The outdoor unit of your AC only houses the compressor and the condenser coils. Standard protocol worst case is to never mismatch more than 1/2 ton over or under between the compressor and the refrigerant coil The CFM of the blower is also calculated to match rmurphy1 (Richard Murphy) January 27, 2015, 10:53pm #4 Does an Air Handler and Condenser Have to Match? In other words… if you install a 3 ton heat pump condensing unit outside, your indoor air handler MUST have a minimum of a 3-ton blower and coil. For more help with air conditioning repair in the Orlando area, stay informed by visiting this site regularly. The handler is the part responsible for circulating air throughout the home, sometimes called a blower. Video Script: "Can a heat pump be replaced without having to replace the air handler?" This does not necessary mean it always makes sense to replace the AC and the heating system at the same time. Learning about what actions may void your air conditioner warranty is also an important step before you begin any do it yourself projects. I have seen other posts on the subject but am wondering what everyone usually says about Heat pump compressors and air handlers that are not the same brand (or even the same year of mfg., for that matter). All Rights Reserved. Unfortunately, yes, you should replace your air handler and condenser at the same time if one or the other fails. Just ask them in the comments below or on, Quality Products — Affordable Prices — Lifetime Tech Support. The Evaporator absorbes heat via expansion of … An air handler contains an inside coil and a blower fan, with the additional possibility of an auxiliary electric strip heater. If the air handler is the same brand as the heat pump, you might be okay. The higher these number the better. Yes, it’s bad if your evaporator coils are sized bigger or smaller than your condenser coils. Sizing of Air Handlers and Fan Coils. If you have a split AC, you most likely have an air-cooled condenser. A condenser 3. This is most often done by matching the condenser with a variable speed furnace AND a horizo… It is usually best to contact a professional HVAC contractor or company to ensure the repairs are made properly. Does it really matter if my evaporator and condenser coils are bigger or smaller than the other? Much like MPGs on your car. 2) Model # of air handler - EBP3000B2. This means that they’ve been subjected to the same amount of wear and tear. Yes it does make a difference. Measurements of HVAC cooling efficiency is rated in SEER and EER. They will run constantly and again run up your electric bill. Your HVAC system is like a conjoined twin. 1) Model of air handler # MF12F1900A3 Model of Coil on above air handler # EPM36F19C2. A common question is whether a condenser and handler on the air conditioner should be from the same manufacturer. The short answer is that a handler and condenser can be different brands and the unit will function properly. When replacing one, it is ideal to replace the other so the components are designed to complement each other, and offers similar warranty protection to benefit the homeowner. If the split system does not have an indoor furnace, then it’s going to have an air handler. The answer is yes, but with some caveats. Learning about what actions may void your air conditioner warranty is also an important step before you begin any do it yourself projects. The hot refrigerant inside is cooled down, and the heated air is pushed out (generally through the top). In fact, if the size of your evaporator and condenser coils don’t match, it can result in: Higher monthly energy costs. Decreased comfort. So, even if only one part has failed at this point, you can logically assume that the other part will also fail at some point. And if you opt for two-speed or variable-speed compressors, which probably weren't widely available the last time you replaced your A/C, the comfort gains will blow you away. Thank you, Betsy ***@*****. The air handler is a fan blower, that blows the cold or hot air from the condenser unit outside or to the rest of the house. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating and EER for Energy Efficiency Ratio. When purchasing an air conditioner or heat pump, it is critical that it be matched with an appropriate evaporator coil or air handler (which has an evaporator coil built in). When attempting to fix an air conditioner in your own home, there is a lot of information to absorb for anyone who does not have a background as an HVAC technician. First off, we need to differentiate between an air handler and a furnace. On the other hand, your new air conditioner will probably be light years ahead of your old one in terms of efficiency. Does the "ton" size of the air handling unit (the inside component) have to be matched to the ton size of the compressor unit? 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. Does it really matter if their sizes simply do not match? This article will provide a useful introduction to the topic of air conditioner coils and why they have to be matched in order to ensure consistent cooling for your home. The air handler Model no. To do so, refrigerant is pumped from the outside condenser unit into the air handler as a high-temperature, high-pressure gas. You have to make sure the units you have match appropriately. Getting expert help is always worth the investment, and you can save in the long run by not wasting additional time and money that may be caused by botched work. In an air conditioning system, the air handler also contains the evaporator coils. To conclude, a mixed combination of different brands of condenser and handler will work, but they always produce some side-effects that can otherwise be avoided with a professional matched installation. New regulations require higher efficiency units and if your outside unit was replaced last year then you could very well have a 13Seer condenser matched with an 8-10Seer air handler. The condenser itself contains many parts; when the unit breaks down, it typically means that one or more parts in the condenser will have to be replaced. Ideally, it is better to match the same brand of condenser and handler if possible, and have them both replaced together. An evaporator coil 2. Note: You should always replace both air conditioning components (condenser/compressor and evaporator coil) at the same time. A condenser is also the part of your air conditioning system that is most exposed to the outside weather, meaning regular maintenance and replacements are common. is 4TEE3F1A1000AC. The air handler is what handles the temperature of the cooling/heating system. the coil outside the home that turns warm air into moisture, Learning about what actions may void your air conditioner warranty. It is also helpful for the overall performance of the unit to replace both the condenser and the handler at the same time. Probably sooner rather than later. The answer is: maybe, and you'd better find out before you start mixing and matching. Could you please tell me what condenser I need to buy? Actually they are pretty much matched up to the capacity of the outside unit. An air conditioner condenser is responsible for cooling down and condensing refrigerant vapor into liquid. Condenser unit for central air conditioning for a typical house A condenser unit used in central air conditioning systems typically has a heat exchanger section to cool down and condense incoming refrigerant vapor into liquid, a compressor to raise the pressure of the refrigerant and move it along, and a fan for blowing outside air through the heat exchanger section to cool the refrigerant inside. *** Ideally, it is better to match the same brand of condenser and handler if possible, and have them both replaced together. I have a Trane air handler and I would like to add the matching condenser to get air conditioning. For starters, you will see much higher monthly energy costs. Copyright © 1988-2021 Ingrams Water & Air Equipment, LLC. These performance issues will ultimately manifest is larger energy bills or more strain on the unit. But do the air handler and condenser have to match? Evaporator coils are sized based on their capacity in tons and the SEER rating (efficiency) of the system. What does an air handler do? Like many other electronics and appliances, the core components are considered a closed system and touching them in any way will … Matching Air Handlers and Air Conditioners To create an efficient, high performing cooling system, the air handler and air conditioner should be matched. Ingrams is a trademark of Ingrams Water & Air. When you purchase a new HVAC system, the … I was informed that the ton size of the condenser (such as 3 ton = 36,000 BTUs) is matched to a particular size of duct conduit. Like many other electronics and appliances, the core components are considered a closed system and touching them in any way will have consequences on the warranty. Videos. However, if the air handling unit is a different brand, you may want to test your luck elsewhere. Many different factors need to be considered to avoid making costly mistakes, including voiding the warranty on the unit. If, in fact, your coils do not match there are a number of issues that can occur. MFD - JUN 2005. The best HVAC repair solution is to contact a reputable local company to handle all of the maintenance. Just like matching your refrigerant, the size of your indoor air handler should be a very close, if not exact size match, to your outdoor unit. Central A/C: "Ton" size of condenser and air handling units - matching to duct size. When outdoor ac units and heat pumps and air conditioning units are designed, they are built to work with a matched indoor unit. The condenser is the coil outside the home that turns warm air into moisture in the form of water vapor, which makes the inside feel cooler. The brand doesn't matter so much as the way it was designed to work. Air Conditioner Coils Before delving into the problems of mismatched coils, you may find it helpful to brush up on the purpose of each of your air conditioner’s two coils. Air Conditioning and Heating equipment manufacturers have figured out that by matching a 14.5 SEER condenser with complimentary products a 16 SEER AHRI rated system can be created. A compressor 4. Air conditioning units include the condenser and are usually kept outside of your home or business. The answer is quite plain, yes, it matters a great deal. Most air handlers are located close to the thermostat; and must have … I need less than two tons of cooling. The engineering marvel of cooling is accomplished by the use of a working fluid known as a refrigerant, and four main mechanical parts: 1. A typical split unit system consists of an outdoor unit (the condenser unit) and an indoor unit (the air handler or furnace). Chances are that both your air handler and condenser were installed at the same time. - Ask the Expert Episode 131, Have more questions? Does a 3 ton coil match up with a 2 ton condenser unit [ 19 Answers ]. However, there may be consequences of mixing brands such as a voided warranty, or the mismatch of parts may cause the need to replace them again in the near future due to differences in capacity. Having the unit regularly serviced by a professional, as well as keeping detailed records can help avoid most issues. The rest of the system lives inside the air handler unit somewhere in the interior of your house. Below are model numbers from the air handler. While mismatched brands of components can be made to work the metering rarely matches the capacity and changing out one component at a time just perpetuates the changing of components in the future. Matched in capacity and efficiency rating with the air conditioner, air handlers circulate conditioned air throughout your home. The problem here is that modern central air conditioners, unlike your air conditioner from the 80’s, will have a hard time cooling your entire house if they are too small because they are made to work slowly over time and don’t have the power to cool your house rapidly. These coils are what cools the air. Reduced unit lifespan. Why a Matching System Matters. The main difference here is that air is drawn in from the ambient space around the condenser over the coils. Understanding an Air Conditioner Condenser and How to Repair It. Contrary to what many people believe, an air conditioner does not add cool air to an area, but instead removes heat from the air to make it cooler. Copyright ©2018 4 Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. All rights reserved. Air conditioners actively pull heat out of the building through a variety of components configured together, and then this hot air is redirected outside. 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