American Standard’s Best Air Handlers
We’ve identified our best air handlers in 3 different categories – most efficient, best value, and easiest to install when you’re replacing a gas furnace and air conditioner with a heat pump system.
By Anne Fonda
What is an air handler?
HVAC air handlers are not as well-known as air conditioners, furnaces, and heat pumps. An air handler is an indoor HVAC unit that pairs with an outdoor heat pump or air conditioner. Air handlers most commonly pair with heat pumps but can also be paired with air conditioners in the South.
The air handler circulates cooled or heated air, depending on the season and the unit it is paired with. Whether it’s a heat pump air handler or an AC air handler, every air handler unit contains the blower motor and evaporator coil. American Standard air handlers and other HVAC equipment undergo 16 weeks of strenuous testing at our SEET lab in Tyler, Texas to ensure the highest level of quality and reliability.
If you have plans to replace your heat pump or air conditioner/furnace combo, you may want to learn more about air handlers, because it can benefit you to replace all components of your HVAC system at one time.
Most Efficient: ForeFront™ Platinum 5TAMX Air Handler
The ForeFront™ Platinum 5TAMX Air Handler is our top-shelf air handler. With advanced technology and connected comfort, when paired with a compatible heat pump or air conditioner, you get a serious upgrade in comfort and energy efficiency.
Features include:
- American Standard Link communicating technology to control all HVAC system components - helping ensure your system is operating at peak performance consistently
- 24v connections
- Vortica™ blower for quiet and efficient air circulation
- Highly efficient variable-speed motor for consistent comfort in every room
- Comfort-R™ technology for superior humidity control
- All-aluminum epoxy-coated evaporator coil for longer life and odor prevention
- Electronic refrigerant flow valve to precisely regulate refrigerant flow and maximize reliability
- Fully enclosed insulation and double-walled cabinets protect indoor air quality by preventing infiltration of dust and condensation from crawl spaces, attics, or garages
- Built-in 1” filter frame
- Modular design for easier installations
- Integrated “no leak” rust-resistant dual slope drain pan to prevent microbial growth
- Corrosion-resistant cabinet finish
- 10-year registered limited warranty on the coil and functional parts
Best Value: Silver 5TEM4 Air Handler
At American Standard, the best value doesn’t necessarily mean the cheapest. We’ve identified the Silver 5TEM4 Air Handler as the best value because it offers energy efficiency and comfort at a more affordable price point.
Top features include:
- All-aluminum evaporator coil for durability
- Vortica™ blower for improved efficiency and noise reduction
- Multi-speed ECM blower motor
- Corrosion-resistant finish
- No-rust polymer drain pan
- 10-year registered limited warranty on the coil and functional parts
Easiest for heat pump conversion: P-Series Modular Air Handler
If you’ve decided now is the time to embrace the electrification of heat and ditch your old gas furnace, the P-Series Modular Air Handler would be your best choice. That’s because gas furnaces and many air handlers have different wiring connections and different power needs.
A typical gas furnace has 120v connections while most air handlers have 220-240v wiring connections. For a long time, if you wanted to make the switch to a heat pump, it meant expensive electrical upgrades.
We listened to homeowners and our dealers and introduced the P-Series Modular Air Handler. It uses the same 120v wiring connections as the furnace. It is also sized just like a furnace, meaning there is no costly retrofitting. These two main features save you money on your heat pump conversion and it saves the dealer time and money on installation. Everybody wins.
In addition to making the conversion easy and less costly, this air handler has some other top features, including:
- Variable speed motor for improved efficiency and quieter operation
- Vortica™ II blower design to help eliminate hot and cold spots
- Insulated cabinet for reduced noise
- Comfort-R™ technology for superior humidity control
- 10-year registered limited warranty on the evaporator coil and functional parts
Size matters
A new HVAC system is only able to meet peak performance and energy efficiency ratings when the indoor and outdoor units are paired appropriately for size and capacity in a matched system. Work with a trusted HVAC company you can trust to ensure proper HVAC sizing.
Depending on the air handling unit, American Standard air handlers are available in multiple capacities, including:
- 1.5-ton air handler
- 2-ton air handler
- 2.5-ton air handler
- 3-ton air handler
- 3.5-ton air handler
- 4-ton air handler
- 5-ton air handler
Your American Standard dealer will determine the appropriate system size for your home and make product recommendations based on their assessment and your needs.
Work with HVAC professionals you can trust
American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning is the top choice for dealers and homeowners who won’t settle for less than the most well-engineered and trusted equipment.
If you’re looking to schedule an HVAC system replacement, contact your local American Standard dealer today for a free quote on a system that meets your heating and cooling needs as well as your budget.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Erica Harrison, Product Manager, Air Handlers
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