When shopping for central AC components, you'll encounter both "air handlers" and "evaporator coils" (A-coils). They both sit inside the home and work with the outdoor condensing unit — but they're different products that suit different system configurations. Understanding the distinction helps you buy the right components for your setup.
What Is an Evaporator Coil (A-Coil)?
An evaporator coil — commonly called an A-coil because of its shape — is the indoor component that absorbs heat from your home's air. Refrigerant flows through the coil, evaporating as it absorbs heat, which cools the air passing across the coil's fins.
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An A-coil is designed to work with an existing forced-air furnace. It sits on top of or below the furnace (depending on upflow/downflow configuration) and uses the furnace's blower motor to push air across the coil. The furnace does the air moving; the coil does the heat exchange.
If you already have a working furnace with a blower motor, an A-coil is typically what you need when adding or replacing central AC.
What Is an Air Handler?
An air handler is a self-contained unit that includes both an evaporator coil AND a blower motor (and sometimes electric strip heaters). It functions as a complete indoor unit for a heat pump or AC system in homes that don't have a gas furnace.
Air handlers are used when: there's no gas furnace (all-electric homes, homes with oil or propane where the boiler/furnace doesn't have a duct system), the heat pump or AC needs its own independent blower, or in split systems where the air handler is the primary indoor unit.
Which Configuration Do You Have?
Gas furnace + central AC: You need a furnace (already have one) + A-coil (evaporator coil) + outdoor condensing unit. The furnace blower handles both heating and cooling airflow. This is the most common configuration in Minnesota homes. Air handler + outdoor heat pump or AC: You need an air handler + outdoor condensing unit or heat pump. Typical in homes with no gas service, or in all-electric configurations. Heat pump + gas furnace (dual fuel): A heat pump outdoor unit connects to an indoor A-coil sitting on a gas furnace. The heat pump handles cooling and moderate-weather heating; the gas furnace handles extreme cold. Common in climate-zone 6–7 applications where full heat pump performance in deep winter is insufficient.
Goodman Products for Each Configuration
Goodman makes coils, air handlers, and complete system packages for all configurations:
Goodman CAPF / CHPF coil series: Cased A-coils designed for use with Goodman gas furnaces. CAPF is the standard residential cased coil; CHPF is the horizontal variant for attic installations. Goodman ARUF air handler series: Standalone air handlers for all-electric or heat pump applications. Available in multiple tonnage ranges and configurations. Matched system packages: Goodman publishes matchup tables specifying which coils and air handlers pair correctly with each condensing unit for rated SEER performance and warranty compliance.
Why Matching Matters
Mismatched indoor and outdoor components can prevent the system from achieving its rated SEER, cause refrigerant flow issues, and void manufacturer warranties. Goodman has specific approved matchups for each condensing unit — buying a matched system from Furnace Direct ensures everything is confirmed compatible before installation.
Browse Goodman Cooling Components
Furnace Direct carries Goodman condensing units, A-coils, and air handlers at factory-direct wholesale pricing. If you're not sure which configuration you need, contact us and we'll help you identify the right components for your application.
Browse our cooling catalog at furnace.direct/collections/cooling.
Related reading: Air Handler vs. Furnace | Goodman AC Models | How to Size Central AC
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