What Is The Difference between An Air Handler And A Heater?

What Is The Difference between An Air Handler And A Heater?

Air Handler (AHU)

Function: An air handler is responsible for circulating and conditioning air within a building.

Components:

Blower/Fan: Moves air through the system.

Heating and Cooling Coils: Adjust the temperature of the air.

Filters: Clean the air by removing dust and allergens.

Dampers: Control airflow.

Role: Works to maintain indoor air quality and comfort by heating, cooling, and filtering air. It can work with both heating and cooling systems.

Heater

Function: A heater specifically provides heat to a space.

Types:

Furnaces: Burn fuel (like gas or oil) or use electricity to generate heat.

Heat Pumps: Transfer heat from outside to inside, even in cold conditions.

Electric Heaters: Use electric resistance to generate heat.

Role: Primarily focused on increasing the temperature of air or water in a space. Heaters can be standalone units or integrated into an HVAC system.

Key Differences

Purpose: An air handler circulates and conditions air, while a heater generates heat.

Components: Air handlers include a blower and may have both heating and cooling coils, whereas heaters focus solely on heat generation.

Functionality: Air handlers can operate in both heating and cooling modes, whereas heaters are specifically designed for heating.