Guide
Attic air handlers
The indoor part of a central system often lives in the attic. That changes how it fails and how it is repaired.
Why it is in the attic
Builders place the furnace or air handler where there is room: a closet, a garage corner or the attic. When it is in the attic, the ductwork usually runs through that same space.
Where attic units go wrong
Heat is the first problem, since an attic gets far hotter than the house. The second is water. The coil sheds condensate, and when the drain line clogs the pan fills and overflows onto the ceiling.
- A stain or drip on a ceiling below the unit.
- A float switch that trips and shuts the system off.
- Duct runs that are crushed, loose or bare.
- Insulation that has slumped off the supply lines.
Before a technician visits
Clear a path to the hatch and the unit. Move storage out of the way. Make sure there is light and a stable platform. Tell the contractor on the call that the unit is in the attic, so the visit is planned with that in mind.
Ready to talk to an independent HVAC contractor?
Dial the number and say what the system is doing. The call connects you with an independent contractor who serves Leander and nearby towns.