AC Problems: Is It Time to Service Your Air Handler?
Posted on: 8 September 2022
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If you use a central air conditioning system, or central AC, to cool and warm your home, you want to service the system's air handler soon. The air handler houses some of your cooling system's most critical parts: the evaporator coil and the condensate drainage line. If the air handler doesn't work properly, your entire cooling system could be at risk of failure. Learn why and how you need to service your cooling system's air handler below.
How Important Is the Air Handler?
The air handler is a large rectangular-shaped metal box that contains some of the most vital pieces of equipment in your central air conditioning system: the evaporator coil and the condensate drainage line. The evaporator coil and the condensate drainage line work together to keep your house cool and reasonably dry during the summer, as well as warm and comfortable during the winter. If the air handler isn't secure, it can cause multiple problems for the evaporator coil and the condensate drainage line over time.
The large panels that make up the air handler can rust during the year. The closet housing the air handler must be dry all year long. However, condensation dripping or leaking from the condensate drain line or the evaporator coil can make the closet moist and humid. The excessive moisture can coat the air handler's panels and rust them.
Rust can weaken the air handler's panels and expose the evaporator coil and the condensate drainage line to dust and other debris. If dust builds up on the coil or condensate line, it can stop cooling and warming your home. The parts can slowly degrade and fail.
You can help keep the costly problems above at bay by having an HVAC contractor service your air handler soon.
How Do You Service the Air Handler?
A contractor can do a number of things to service your home's air handler, including cleaning it. Dust and dirt can hide many problems in the air handler, including rust. If the air handler's panels contain rust, a contractor may be able to remove it with rust-removing treatments.
After an HVAC contractor cleans the air handler, they'll test the equipment's access door for safety. The access door leads directly to the evaporator coil and condensate line. If the door is loose, a contractor can refasten or retighten it for you.
The last thing a contractor may do during the service visit is to inspect the evaporator coil and condensate line. The coil and condensate line can slowly build up with things that prevent them from moving air and moisture properly, including dust and mold. If a contractor discovers issues with the coil or the condensate line, they'll clean it.
For more information about your air handler, consult an HVAC contractor service such as Add Air INC today.