HVAC Expert Dopers: Where can I put an Air Handler in my living room?

Factual Questions
1

I live in a building that was constructed in the 1940s, before central heating/air; in the 1980’s they were renovated and turned into condos. They installed the HVAC system, from the filter through the mechanical stuff, on the ceiling on one side of the room and the ceiling there is about a foot or so lower (a ‘wall-in’).

So the room is

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Now they say when the unit fails, there is no modern unit that will fit in the ceiling /wallin because of advances in freon and efficiency; so they will have to place an “Air Handler”, perhaps in the upper left corner of the diagram, so

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This of course takes up a lot of living room space right where I need it;

They said the air handler will be 24"w x 30"d; that it could be placed anywhere the power lines would reach. Is this true? I don’t fully understand why I need an air handler, or what it does, but would it have to go in that corner? It’s a small condo and it would ruin much of my main living/dining room, because of the design of the room.

Are there any alternatives to this air handler thing? If not, can it be placed elsewhere?

2

Get a second opinion. There are many types of systems for smaller condo’s. Call the HVAC contractors in your area, explain your needs, and get bids. I have put HVAC into two small houses and the bids for the first ranged from $6,000 to $11,000. On the second they ran from $4,000 to $8,000. Quite a spread. In both cases the highest bidders were trying to sell me something I didn’t want or need. (Super high capacity or high efficiency). What have other the other condo owners done?

An air handler is one part of a two part system. The air handler contains the cooling coils and the blower fan. It can fit in a small closet or in the ceiling. The second part is the condenser and is usually outside.

3

The air handler will need electricity and the refergerant lines connected to it, and can be put almost anywhere.

The air handler’s function is to cool the air in the room. A fan will pull air from the room across a filter then across the coolling coil and back out into the room. I am not fully understanding what you have. But a 24"X30" air handler in a house seams a little large if it is in the living area.

There are “split” units that are smaller depending on the size (ie BTU’s removed) where the evaporator coill and fan hang on a inside wall.

I think the best advice is check with another contractor.

4

They have many types of Units…

Air handlers usually take up a closet space in condo’s, since attic space might not be available.

Depends on the best appropriate access to the outdoor unit with power, Refrigerant lines and Drainage.

Sometimes, the best place to put it might be right next to the closest outer wall.

Without pics can’t tell much more, other than shop around for alternative ideas.

5

Got a second opinion, guy said that my system was rated to last 10-15 years (not 5 like the other guy implied) and that there would be no problem putting a new unit in the ceiling area, that he had done so before, it would require finding special parts that fit but can and is done.

So SD saved me again . . .