Fan Coil Units

What is an Air Handler Unit?

An air handler unit, also known as fan coil unit, is an essential component of your home heating and cooling system. It is responsible for circulating conditioned air throughout the home. An air handler typically consists of a blower fan, an evaporator coil, and a filter and is usually installed indoors, either in a basement, attic, or closet. The air handler unit connects to the ductwork system that distributes air to various rooms in the house.

During the cooling mode, the air handler pulls warm air from the rooms through return ducts, passes it over a chilled coil to remove heat and moisture, and then delivers the cooled air back into the rooms through supply ducts. In the heating mode, the process is reversed, where the air handler pulls in cool air, passes it over a heated coil, and then delivers the warmed air to the rooms. Additionally, the air handler unit contains a filter that helps trap dust, pollen, and other airborne particles, improving indoor air quality by helping filter contaminants before the air is circulated back into the living spaces.

What is a fan coil?

When speaking with an HVAC contractor, you may encounter the term "fan coil," which is also known as an air handler. Consequently, you might wonder, "What exactly is a fan coil?" As we mentioned earlier, a fan coil is essentially the same as an air handler unit. Its primary role involves distributing conditioned air throughout the home, operating just as we explained in the previous section when describing how an air handler functions. Therefore, the purpose and function of a fan coil align precisely with what we discussed earlier.