What is an air handler and how is it different from a furnace?

An air handler is the indoor component of a heat pump system that circulates conditioned air through your home's ductwork. Unlike a gas furnace that generates heat by burning fuel, an air handler moves refrigerant and distributes heated or cooled air produced by the outdoor heat pump unit. Electric air handlers can include supplemental electric resistance heating strips for backup heat during extreme cold.

How much does air handler installation cost in Denver?

Air handler installation in Denver ranges from $5,552 to $10,840. This includes the air handler unit, ductwork modifications, refrigerant lines, condensate drainage, 220V circuit installation, thermostat, permits, materials, labor, and taxes. If your electrical panel needs upgrading to support the new system, add $4,800 and up. Many customers bundle air handler installation with heat pump systems for maximum efficiency.

Can an air handler with heat pump replace my gas furnace?

Yes. Air handlers paired with cold climate heat pumps can fully replace gas furnaces in Colorado. Modern cold climate heat pumps maintain at least 70% heating capacity at 5°F with a COP of 1.75 or higher, making them effective down to -13°F. UniColorado handles the complete conversion including gas line capping, 220V circuit installation, panel upgrades if needed, and proper sizing for Colorado's climate. We've converted thousands of Denver homes from gas to electric heating.

How long do air handlers last?

Air handlers typically last 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Lifespan depends on usage patterns, maintenance frequency, and installation quality. Systems in Denver's dry climate with altitude considerations need regular filter changes and annual inspections. We're authorized installers of all major brands, with Mitsubishi, Carrier, and Bosch as our top recommendations. Manufacturer warranties range from 5 to 10 years on major components.

How long does air handler installation take?

Air handler installation takes 1 to 2 days depending on system complexity and whether electrical upgrades are needed. The process includes removing the old furnace or air handler, installing the new unit, connecting refrigerant lines, modifying ductwork if needed, installing the 220V circuit, testing the system, and coordinating inspections. We provide a 2-hour appointment window and text when we're on our way.

What is the difference between an air handler and a furnace?

A gas furnace burns natural gas to generate heat and needs a gas line, flue pipe, and combustion air intake. An air handler uses a blower and evaporator coil to distribute heat from an outdoor heat pump, requiring a 220V circuit and refrigerant lines instead. Air handlers provide both heating and cooling when paired with a heat pump, while furnaces only heat. For homes switching from gas to electric, the air handler replaces the furnace in the same mechanical space.

Do I need an electrical panel upgrade for an air handler?

Not always. If your existing panel has at least two open 20-amp breaker slots, we can install the required 220V circuit without upgrading. If your panel is full or undersized (100 amps or less), you'll need a panel upgrade to 200 amps ($4,800 and up) or a subpanel ($1,800 to $3,000+). We assess your panel during the free estimate and include any electrical work in the quote.

Can I replace just the air handler without replacing the outdoor unit?

Sometimes. The air handler must be matched to the outdoor condenser for proper refrigerant charge, airflow, and controls. If your outdoor heat pump or AC is still in good condition and compatible with a new indoor unit, we can replace just the air handler. If the outdoor unit is aging or uses an older refrigerant, replacing both as a matched system is usually more cost-effective and avoids compatibility issues.

What size air handler do I need for my home?

Air handler sizing depends on your home's square footage, insulation, window area, duct layout, and the capacity of your outdoor unit. In Denver's climate, residential systems typically range from 2 to 5 tons. Oversizing causes short cycling and humidity problems. Undersizing means the system can't keep up on extreme days. We perform a Manual J load calculation during the estimate to determine the correct size for your specific home.

What is an air handler and how is it different from a furnace?

An air handler is the indoor component of a heat pump system that circulates conditioned air through your home's ductwork. Unlike a gas furnace that generates heat by burning fuel, an air handler moves refrigerant and distributes heated or cooled air produced by the outdoor heat pump unit. Electric air handlers can include supplemental electric resistance heating strips for backup heat during extreme cold.

How much does air handler installation cost in Denver?

Air handler installation in Denver ranges from $5,552 to $10,840. This includes the air handler unit, ductwork modifications, refrigerant lines, condensate drainage, 220V circuit installation, thermostat, permits, materials, labor, and taxes. If your electrical panel needs upgrading to support the new system, add $4,800 and up. Many customers bundle air handler installation with heat pump systems for maximum efficiency.

Can an air handler with heat pump replace my gas furnace?

Yes. Air handlers paired with cold climate heat pumps can fully replace gas furnaces in Colorado. Modern cold climate heat pumps maintain at least 70% heating capacity at 5°F with a COP of 1.75 or higher, making them effective down to -13°F. UniColorado handles the complete conversion including gas line capping, 220V circuit installation, panel upgrades if needed, and proper sizing for Colorado's climate. We've converted thousands of Denver homes from gas to electric heating.

How long do air handlers last?

Air handlers typically last 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Lifespan depends on usage patterns, maintenance frequency, and installation quality. Systems in Denver's dry climate with altitude considerations need regular filter changes and annual inspections. We're authorized installers of all major brands, with Mitsubishi, Carrier, and Bosch as our top recommendations. Manufacturer warranties range from 5 to 10 years on major components.

How long does air handler installation take?

Air handler installation takes 1 to 2 days depending on system complexity and whether electrical upgrades are needed. The process includes removing the old furnace or air handler, installing the new unit, connecting refrigerant lines, modifying ductwork if needed, installing the 220V circuit, testing the system, and coordinating inspections. We provide a 2-hour appointment window and text when we're on our way.

What is the difference between an air handler and a furnace?

A gas furnace burns natural gas to generate heat and needs a gas line, flue pipe, and combustion air intake. An air handler uses a blower and evaporator coil to distribute heat from an outdoor heat pump, requiring a 220V circuit and refrigerant lines instead. Air handlers provide both heating and cooling when paired with a heat pump, while furnaces only heat. For homes switching from gas to electric, the air handler replaces the furnace in the same mechanical space.

Do I need an electrical panel upgrade for an air handler?

Not always. If your existing panel has at least two open 20-amp breaker slots, we can install the required 220V circuit without upgrading. If your panel is full or undersized (100 amps or less), you'll need a panel upgrade to 200 amps ($4,800 and up) or a subpanel ($1,800 to $3,000+). We assess your panel during the free estimate and include any electrical work in the quote.

Can I replace just the air handler without replacing the outdoor unit?

Sometimes. The air handler must be matched to the outdoor condenser for proper refrigerant charge, airflow, and controls. If your outdoor heat pump or AC is still in good condition and compatible with a new indoor unit, we can replace just the air handler. If the outdoor unit is aging or uses an older refrigerant, replacing both as a matched system is usually more cost-effective and avoids compatibility issues.

What size air handler do I need for my home?

Air handler sizing depends on your home's square footage, insulation, window area, duct layout, and the capacity of your outdoor unit. In Denver's climate, residential systems typically range from 2 to 5 tons. Oversizing causes short cycling and humidity problems. Undersizing means the system can't keep up on extreme days. We perform a Manual J load calculation during the estimate to determine the correct size for your specific home.

Denver Electrification Company

Air Handler Installation

Air handler installation in Denver from $5,552. We replace gas furnaces with electric air handlers and handle the full conversion: gas line capping, circuit installation, and panel upgrades when needed. Mitsubishi, Carrier, and Bosch systems matched to your existing ductwork and outdoor unit.

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Air Handler Installation

Free in-home estimate220v circuit installation includedPanel upgrade services available

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Air Handler Installation In Denver

Air Handler Installation

Service for installing air handlers and electric furnaces, including converting gas furnaces to electric.

Free estimate1-2 day installElectrical included

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How It Works

Brands We Install

The Basics

What Is an Air Handler?

An air handler is the indoor unit that circulates conditioned air through your home's ductwork. It contains a blower motor, evaporator coil, air filter, and sometimes electric resistance heating strips. Unlike a gas furnace, an air handler doesn't burn fuel. It works with an outdoor heat pump or AC condenser to distribute heated or cooled air throughout the house. In a heat pump system, the air handler is the indoor half of the equation. The outdoor unit compresses and moves refrigerant, and the air handler's evaporator coil transfers that energy into your airflow. The blower pushes it through the ducts. Most residential air handlers in Colorado are matched to cold-climate heat pumps rated down to -13°F, giving you year-round heating and cooling from one system. Air handlers come in vertical and horizontal configurations. Vertical units stand upright in a basement or utility closet. Horizontal units mount in attics or crawl spaces where vertical clearance is limited. The right orientation depends on your home's layout and available mechanical space.

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Why UniColorado?

Upfront Pricing

If the system and address are eligible for any rebates, they're offered to you as discounts. No surprises, no hidden fees. We verify eligibility on every heat pump job before the price ever reaches you.

Energy Bills In Mind

We understand that the transition to different fuels can be unnerving with unknowns such as 'are my bills going to increase with a heat pump?'. With proper system design and config, we make sure heat pumps make financial sense.

Matched to Your Outdoor Unit

An air handler has to be matched to the outdoor condenser for the refrigerant charge, airflow, and controls to work correctly. We verify compatibility with the manufacturer's specifications, not just the tonnage rating.

Ductwork Assessment Included

A new air handler pushing more airflow through undersized ducts creates noise and static pressure problems. We measure your duct system and flag any restrictions before installation, not after.

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What Our Customers Say

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Google Reviews (138)

Kent D.

We recently built an ADU and UniColorado installed our heatpump unit and we couldn't be happier with the process. They also helped us with the tax rebates/credits available and still offered a very competitive price compared to the other companies we vetted out. Would highly recommend.

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Jeff M.

Installed Bosch Heat pump and found UniColorado personnel to be very knowledgeable and professional in sales and installation. Fairly priced and efficient in installation with excellent communication through the process.

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Patrick B.

UniColorado did a great job replacing our old furnace with a new heat pump + backup furnace system. We've had it for a couple months and it's been working flawlessly. They had great communication and were very easy to work with. They also had the best pricing of all the companies I quoted.

Google Review

Colorado's Most Experienced Heat Pump Installer

The air handler is the indoor half of your heat pump or AC. It moves conditioned air through your ducts. When it's undersized or mismatched to the outdoor unit, you lose efficiency and comfort regardless of equipment quality. We match every air handler to your specific condenser and ductwork layout, verify static pressure, and confirm proper airflow before we leave.

2013

Our first hyper-heat install

2016

Early Lennox cold-climate adoption

2024

Bosch IDS Ultra install

2026

Latest cold-climate tech

30+

Municipalities

Master

Licensed & Certified

1000s+

Happy Homeowners

Air Handler Certified

Technicians

100% Satisfaction

Guarantee

Up Front Pricing

No hidden fees

$5M+

Saved for homeowners in 2025

$9,250

Average savings

5,000+

Rebate applications submitted

How They Work Together

Air Handlers With Heat Pumps

An air handler paired with a heat pump replaces both your furnace and AC with a single system. The outdoor heat pump handles the refrigeration cycle while the air handler distributes conditioned air through your existing ductwork. This combination provides heating and cooling from one matched set of equipment. The efficiency advantage is straightforward: heat pumps transfer heat rather than generate it. For every unit of electricity consumed, a modern cold-climate heat pump delivers 2 to 3.5 units of heating energy. That translates directly to lower operating costs compared to electric resistance heat or, in many cases, natural gas. Noise levels are also lower than a gas furnace. There's no combustion ignition cycle, and inverter-driven blower motors ramp up gradually instead of kicking on at full speed. Most homeowners notice the difference immediately, especially with a variable-speed air handler that adjusts airflow to match the heating or cooling demand.

Making the Switch

Air Handler vs. Furnace

The main difference: a gas furnace burns natural gas to create heat. An air handler uses an evaporator coil and blower to distribute heat produced by an outdoor heat pump. One requires a gas line, flue, and combustion air. The other requires a 220V electrical circuit and refrigerant lines. For Denver homeowners considering gas-to-electric conversion, the air handler is the indoor component that replaces your furnace. The conversion involves removing the gas furnace, capping the gas line ($50 to $220), installing a 220V dedicated circuit ($600 to $2,400), and mounting the new air handler in the same location. If your electrical panel doesn't have capacity for the new circuit, a panel upgrade adds $4,800 and up. Colorado's push toward electrification makes this conversion increasingly common. Xcel Energy offers rebates on qualifying heat pump systems, and Denver CARe provides additional incentives for electrification projects. UniColorado handles the full scope of work, including electrical, so you're not coordinating between an HVAC contractor and an electrician.

Gas-to-Electric Conversion

Electric Air Handler Installation

Electric air handler installation is one of our most requested services as Denver moves toward electrification. The process starts with evaluating your existing ductwork, electrical panel capacity, and mechanical space. Not every home needs a panel upgrade. If your current panel has two open 20-amp breaker slots, we can often add the 220V circuit without upgrading the panel. When a panel upgrade is needed, we install a 200-amp panel (the standard for residential electrification) or add a subpanel if your main panel is already at 200 amps. The electrical work happens on day one, and the air handler installation follows on day two. We commission the system by measuring static pressure and airflow at every supply register to confirm the new air handler moves the right volume of air for your home's duct layout. Electric air handlers with heat strips also provide backup heat during extreme cold. The heat strips activate automatically when outdoor temperatures drop below the heat pump's balance point, ensuring your home stays warm even on the coldest Denver nights. This backup uses more electricity than the heat pump alone, but it's a safeguard, not a primary heating mode.

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