Difference Between Central Air Conditioners & Air Handlers AKA Terminals in Summerlin, Las Vegas, NV

When you are talk with your ac repair guy, they might say that you will just need to replace your entire unit. Then they might start talking about what kind of options you have. Most people get lost about here. Your ac technician will ask you if you want an air conditioning unit or an air handler. Both are considered to be a HVAC system or (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning). Air Supply Heating and Air Conditioning will help you understand the difference between the two and see if one sounds like a better match for you. This way the next time you are having a conversation on what your HVAC unit options are, you won’t be lost.

What Does HVAC Stand For

HVAC just stands for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning, which is a pretty wide term. The most common HVAC unit is the air conditioner and is why most people assume it is the only option. However that is not just the case. There are air handlers that also heat, ventilate, and cool your home. So here are some of the main differences between the two units.

Residential Air Handler

One of the main differences between an air conditioner and an air handler is that an air handler is inside the home where air conditioners are located outside the home. At first glance most people will see an air handler and assume it is a furnace. They do look very similar. The air handler still hooks up to your HVAC system. The air handler uses a component called a blower that pushes cold air or warm air into your home. The most common air handler that is found in many homes is often referred to as an air terminal. An air terminal has three major components, which consist of coils, air filter, and a blower. The coils are designed to maintain the indoor temperatures, where the air filter will catch any dirt and other airborne particles. The blower component will push the cold or warm air into the home.

Central Air Conditioner

The air conditioner is considered to be standard in most homes. The air conditioner is located outside the home where an air handler is located inside the home. There is a huge misconception with air conditioner though. Most people believe that it’s more like an air handler where cold or warm air is blown or pushed inside your home. This is not the case. It is much more magical than that. An air conditioner actually transforms hot air into cold air. The air conditioner sucks in the warm air inside the house and sends it through refrigerant coils. This cools the warm air and sends it back into your home. The remaining hot air is cycled through the air conditioner and pushes it outside.

Central Air Conditioners & Air Handler Terminal Inspections, Emergency Repairs, Maintenance, Installations & Replacements in Las Vegas Valley, Summerlin, North LV & Henderson Nevada

In the end the HVAC system is meant to cool and heat your home. One way of doing that is to transform hot air into cold air, and the other forces cold air throughout your home. You may like one over the other. Each has their own pros and cons. Next time you are considering the replacement of your HVAC unit, ask your technician about each of their benefits and see which one is right for you. Air Supply Heating and Air conditioning will be there to assist you for all of your HVAC system needs. Contact us today!