What is the tall metal box in my closet? An air handler
That tall box is an air handler, the indoor half of a heat pump or central AC. It holds the blower fan, the indoor coil and, in most homes, electric heat strips for the coldest days. The unit outside makes the heat or the cold; this one moves the air.
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From one of our jobs
An air handler standing in a utility closet
Right now: Pull the filter at the bottom of the unit and check it, then clear anything stored against the panel.
If your home has no gas furnace, this is what heats it. The heat pump outside pulls warmth out of the cold air and the air handler blows it through the ducts. When it’s too cold out for that, the heat strips inside kick on, which is the dusty smell some people notice on the first cold night.
The filter usually slides in at the bottom or sits behind a return grille nearby. Keep the front panel clear so a tech can open it, and watch for water on the floor: that’s almost always a clogged condensate drain, and it’s an easy fix if it’s caught before the ceiling below gets wet.
Quick answers
What people ask about air handlers
What is the difference between an air handler and a furnace?
A furnace makes heat by burning gas. An air handler has no burner: it blows air over a coil the heat pump feeds, with electric heat strips as backup.
Why is there water around my air handler?
Usually the condensate drain line is clogged and the drain pan overflowed. Turn the system off and call before the water reaches the floor below.
How long does an air handler last?
Usually 15 to 20 years. It’s often replaced along with the heat pump so the two halves match.
Where is the filter on an air handler?
Most slide into a slot at the bottom of the unit or sit behind a return grille on a nearby wall or ceiling. Check it monthly in heating season.
Who services air handlers in Northern Virginia?
Call SwiftPro at (703) 997-9757. We service, repair and replace air handlers and heat pumps across Northern Virginia.
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SwiftPro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
4230 Lafayette Center Dr N, Chantilly, VA 20151
44679 Endicott Dr, Suite 211, Ashburn, VA 20147
SwiftPro Plumber & Water Heaters
4200 Lafayette Center Dr, Suite N, Chantilly, VA 20151
Virginia Class A contractor license #2705192276