5 Air Handler Installation Requirements

Your HVAC air handler is the indoor component of your heating and cooling system, containing the air filter, blower fan, and heating and cooling coils. It’s the piece responsible for distributing conditioned air through your house, managing humidity, and improving your indoor air quality by removing contaminants.

Your air handler is a complex machine with delicate electrical and mechanical components, so installation should always be done by a professional. At Kliemann Brothers Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electrical, we provide expert air handler installations, along with comprehensive HVAC maintenance, support, installations, and repairs. We keep our community safe and comfortable, even in the wettest winters or the warmest summer days.

In this air handler installation guide, we’ll explore the top five basic air handler installation requirements in the Tacoma, Washington, area, including the key technical and code-compliance considerations your HVAC installer needs to know.

1. Proper Sizing and System Compatibility

One of the top HVAC air handler installation tips takes place before installation begins. You need to have the right size unit for your home. The capacity is measured in BTUs, or “British Thermal Units.” There are many considerations to take into account when sizing an air handler for a home, including the square footage, the ceiling height, the number of occupants, how many windows are in each room, and which direction they face, insulation, and more. If your system is too big or too small for your home, it’ll operate inefficiently, and you’ll never have even comfortable temperatures.

You also need to ensure the unit you’re buying is compatible with your existing furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner. All the parts of your HVAC have to work together properly to provide efficient heating and cooling. With poor air handler compatibility, you risk voiding your warranty, overworking the system, shorter system lifespans, and inefficient operation, leading to excessive wear and tear.

At Kliemann Bros, our technicians know how to calculate the appropriate unit size and will work with you to find the perfect air handler to suit your existing system and to meet your home comfort needs.

2. Structural and Clearance Requirements

Proper indoor air handler mounting is crucial to efficient operation and needs to be done according to the manufacturer’s specifications, as well as safety standards. For example, local air handler clearance requirements state that the unit needs at least three inches of space along the back, top, and sides, and the width of any enclosing space must be at least 12 inches wider than the unit itself.

Your air handler should be installed somewhere accessible and somewhere central in the home that has a stable temperature, like a basement or insulated utility closet. It must be mounted securely using brackets, framing, mounts, or hangers that will support its weight and keep it level, away from anything that will impede airflow.

3. Electrical and Drainage Considerations

One of the most important air handler requirements for HVAC systems is proper electrical connections, with a dedicated electrical circuit to avoid electrical overload. Depending on the size of the air handler, you may need anywhere from 15 to 40 amps to keep your home safe and the HVAC system running properly.

Your HVAC unit will need to drain condensation as it pulls moisture from the air. It needs to be mounted completely level to avoid flooding, and needs to drain outside the house, away from the foundation or basement, where it can cause structural damage.

According to the International Mechanical Code (IMC), the drain must:

• Have an inside diameter of at least ¾ inch
• Not be smaller than the diameter of the drain
• Have a pitch of at least 1% (or at least ⅛ inch drop for every foot)
• Have a supporting element every 4 feet horizontally, and 10 feet vertically
• Have a secondary drain line or condensate overflow switch to prevent flooding

Following these requirements will keep you and your home safe from electrical fires, water damage, and other serious safety concerns.

4. Ductwork Configuration and Connections

An important part of the air handler system setup is how the ductwork is configured, and that it has properly sealed connections throughout the system. Along with system efficiency and longevity, improperly connected ducts, condensate lines, or refrigerant tubing will affect the system’s ability to regulate temperatures, and could allow contaminants in, affecting your home’s air quality and your health.

5. Professional Installation and Code Compliance

Kliemann Bros HVAC techs know the best practices for installing air handlers, and always work according to the most recent Tacoma building codes. We’re educated, licensed, and experienced in home heating and cooling installations, meaning that when you choose us for air handler installation, you can trust that your home will be safe, the system will operate properly, and you’ll enjoy long-term comfort without issue.

Why Working With a Professional Matters

Any HVAC installation involves complex machinery, your electrical system, and precise measurements and calculations that only a professional can handle. Trying to DIY your installation could result in injury, property damage, a broken warranty, or long-term issues with your system, like inefficient operation or frequent breakdowns.

At Kliemann Brothers, we follow a comprehensive air handler unit installation checklist, ensuring you get the perfect system for your home, installed with precision. If you’re in the Puget Sound area and are ready for an HVAC upgrade, consider Trane air handler installation. Our Trane products are top-of-the-line, with all the convenience, comfort, and customizable options you need to incorporate smart home technology, improved air quality, humidity control, and more.

Kliemann Bros is Your Air Handler Expert in South Puget Sound

Contact Kliemann Bros today for customer service-driven care and expertise in all your home comfort needs, including HVAC installs, upgrades, and consultations. Our service area encompasses communities throughout Washington, including Yelm, Puyallup, Fox Island, Milton, Edgewood, and Black Diamond. If you’re near the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area, give us a call to find out if we serve your neighborhood. Don’t DIY your air handler installation. Call us and we’ll take care of it for you at your earliest convenience.