Thread: second air handler added off of original unit

I inspected a house with two original Rheem split systems. One of the systems has what appears to be an additional (Luxaire/York) air handler that was added to the system in the attic. The units are connected by flexible ductwork and both have supply ducts attached. Please see the picture (added unit in bottom right corner)DSCN0427 - Copy.JPG. I've not seen this setup before. Any information on why would be helpful. The sellers are the second owners and said it has always been this way. Help!

So there are a total of three air handlers in the home, with two of the air handlers connected together through the flexible duct? And only two condensers?

Was the 2nd one actually working other than maybe the fan?

Yes, Alton.

Jack, The second one's fan was definitely working. I don't know about anything else.

I don't know if this is allowed or not, or even if it is an improvement.
However
Non-conventional setups tend to give non-conventional results.
Call for an HVAC tech to evaluate and make determination.

Originally Posted by Kevin Wood

What did it have for filtration?

Are you asking me?
I don't know, I was not there.

Originally Posted by Kevin Wood

What did it have for filtration is the question or How long is the run. On occasion a booster fan is needed to overcome the extra static pressure to move air across the coil's. Mostly though you see this in Commercial Application's.

I suppose that is a possibility, but using another air handler as a booster fan would seem to be an awfully expensive proposition to me.

Rod, did all three air handlers have refrig. lines? Is there a possibility that there was a condenser hidden somewhere? If there was another condenser I could understand this setup as the two units could be slaved together using one set of ducts and one tstat.
Do you have more pics to share?

Is it possible on a standard split system to feed two air handlers with one condenser?

Kevin
You edited you post and changed it from a question to a statement.
Generally, one should not edit their posts so that it changes the meaning.
Especially after it has a reply to it.
In the future, do I need to quote your post?

Originally Posted by Kevin Wood

Sorry Rick it was unintentional. I was trying to get the message across that there is not enough info to make any kind of judgment.
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I understand

Is the unit in the photo even installed correctly? Looks like a vertical unit installed horizontally?

There are definitely only two condensing units (one for upstairs and one for downstairs). The added handler does not have refrigerant lines. The thermostat wiring and power wires come from the Rheem unit over to this unit. One of the Rheem unit supply ducts feeds into the end of the (added) Luxaire unit (visible in picture) and then two supply ducts come off the end of the Luxaire unit to the master bedroom. I am guessing it was done to act as a booster fan to increase flow to the master. I just don't know why anyone would do it this way. The master was directly underneath the attic area and the unit appeared to be sized properly for downstairs. I would think that this would cause balancing issues (among other possibilities). I've inspected over 5000 houses in the Dallass-Fort Worth area and have seen plenty of setups, just not this one. I did call it out as unconventional and in need of evaluation by an HVAC contractor. However, the client was asking me why i thought someone might do this and well you know, inspectors are typically curious and want to know everything. Thanks for the input!