Air Handler Suggestions?

So I've been running my efm through my old oil furnace where it hits a water-air exchanger. I am currently using my old oil furnace only for it's air handler unit. However since I put in the heat exchanger the force of the hot air is no where near what it use to be. I have had plans to put in central air this summer and figured that if i was going to put central air in then now would be the time to do something with regards to the air handler and/or heat exchanger. I'm looking for suggestions on both the air conditioner unit and air handlers that people have or use with this set up. I've thought about heat exchanger with in the air handler as well. I just figured that someone out there must have a similar set up that they are happy with.
I've already looked to see if the blower on my current air handler could be increased. It currently is at it's max. The old force air furnace is 95,000btu (max) incase anyone needed to know for blower size or dimensions.

Please send me suggestions.

Are you saying that the heat exchanger inside your ductwork is restricting the flow of output air because it's an obstruction in the airway?

that's what i'm thinking. it's the only thing that makes sense to me. The only change that we've made was the addition of the heat exchanger. I know i'm going to need a big heat exchanger. I guess i'm just looking to get ideas of what other units people have and suggestions for improving mine. I know i'm getting central air and figured that if i was getting that should look into a new air handler also. Just didn't know what type and any pros or cons about each brand.

Make your a/c company aware of it and they can size things properly.

Watch what type of air filter you use, the clean hepa filters do restrict the air, try a cheep one.

I too am looking into which Air Handler would be best.

Here's a fairly basic and generic video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOZCjEdJ ... er&list=UL

I'm gonna narrow down the choices and get some pricing. I'll post the quoted prices in a few days.

Can I ask why you need the air to move fast? Is it just for the A/C or aren't you getting enough heat with slower moving air?

I use a seperate air handler for my exchanger plumbed into my existing ductwork. I do block it off in the summer for A/C with the regular furnace fan though. I like the slow moving air for heat, makes everything warm instead of just the air.

I have a very old oil furnance and i'm using the current air handler on it. When i put the heat exchanger in the duct work, it slows down the heat so much that i'm not getting much heat on the far runs. Meaning the downstairs of the house is usually 72 but the upstairs is more like 68 (I have no complaints about it, but the wife on the other hand likes it warmer up stairs, NO COMMENTS ON THAT ONE).

So I imagine it's due to the undersized air handler. I am planning on installing central air this summer so figured i would try to do it then. Just looking to get ideas from the people that know these systems the best.

Gotcha. That is a small issue on the end of the run I've found out myself.

You may want to check into an auxillary duct fan for the far runs. Make sure you get recommendations from someone that has one installed.

Well, I have spent considerable time researching this and will continue to do so.

But, I am somewhat confident in the following two companies and their air handlers.

These air handlers are designed specifically for hydro-air systems, whereas other units made by Carrier or Lennox for example, are not.

http://www.ecologix.ca/ecologix-literature/air-handlers

http://www.summeraire.com/airhandlers.htm

The Summeraire air handlers are also "available" with a ECM motor making it much more energy efficient.

ECM motors are increasingly being found in forced-air furnaces and HVAC systems to save on electricity costs as modern HVAC systems are running their fans for longer periods of time (duty cycle). The cost of using ECM motors in HVAC systems is higher, but the major benefit is the motor efficiency is much higher that other motor types at reduced speeds and partial loads.

ecm motors were being used on efm furnaces for the past few years. They are not new. They have a long lifespan and have proven very reliable. The control can be replaced independently of the motor and they pay for the extra cost themselves in electric savings in about 5 years.

Here's the pricing for the Ecologix brand (purpose-built) hydro air-handler.

$ 4,320.00

BTU's @ 180'F Water: 104,000
Cooling Capacity: 3.0 ton.

These units are top-of-the-line models from Canada and have built-in zone dampers for 3 zones.

I'm still waiting to price out the Summeraire brand, also from Canada.

EarthWindandFire wrote:Here's the pricing for the Ecologix brand (purpose-built) hydro air-handler.

$ 4,320.00

BTU's @ 180'F Water: 104,000
Cooling Capacity: 3.0 ton.

These units are top-of-the-line models from Canada and have built-in zone dampers for 3 zones.

I'm still waiting to price out the Summeraire brand, also from Canada.

Are you considering paying that much for an air handler?

Mine is from crown boiler and was around $800 with the 5 ton coils for AC

I'm still pricing out the Summeraire brand air-handler.

I agree, over 4k is too much!