HVAC Terms

AFUE *

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. A measure of a furnace's heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more efficient the product. The US government's established minimum AFUE rating for furnaces is 78%.

 

Air Handler

The indoor part of a central air conditioning or heat pump system that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home. An air handler is usually a furnace or a blower coil.

 

BTU

That's the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. What that means is the higher the BTUs, the more heating capacity of the equipment.

 

Btuh

British Thermal Units per Hour - The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

 

CAE

Combined Annual Efficiency is a measure of the amount of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed for both home heating and water heating.

 

Carbon Monoxide

An odorless, poisonous, flammable gas produced when carbon burns with insufficient air. Deadly to humans.

 

Carboxyhemogoblin Saturation

Carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

CFM

Cubic feet per minute. A standard measurement of airflow.

 

Compressor

The part of the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps refrigerant throughout the system.

 

Condenser Coil

The outdoor portion of an air conditioning or heat pump system that serves as a heat transfer point for dispelling heat to the outside air, as in an air conditioner or heat pump in the summer; or for collecting heat from the outside air, as in a heat pump in the winter.

 

Damper

Located in ductwork, this regulates airflow. Effective in controlling airflow for zoning.

 

db

Decibel, a unit of intensity of sound.

 

Ductwork

The method by which air is channeled from the furnace or the blower coil throughout your home.

 

Evaporator Coil

The part of a heat pump or air conditioning system that is located inside the house in the air handler. It is here that the refrigerant evaporates as it absorbs heat from the air that passes over the coil.

 

FAQ

Frequently Asked Question, also used to mean a list of frequently asked questions.

 

Heat Exchanger

Located in the furnace, the heat exchanger transfers heat to the surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout the home.

 

Heat Pump

An HVAC unit that heats or cools by moving heat.

 

HSPF

Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. A measure of heat pump heating efficiency. The higher the rating, the more efficient the heat pump. The US government's established minimum HSPF rating for furnaces is 6.8%.

 

Humidifier

Equipment that injects moisture into heated air as it passes from the furnace into the ductwork to be distributed throughout the home.

 

HVAC

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.

 

ISO 9000

A family of international standards for quality management and assurance.

 

Refrigerant Lines

Two copper lines that connect the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump to the indoor evaporator coil.

 

SEER

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. A measure of cooling efficiency for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the unit. The government's minimum SEER rating is 10.

 

Single Package

A heating and cooling system contained in one outdoor unit.

 

Split System

A combination heat pump or air conditioner with indoor components such as a furnace or blower coil. Split systems should be matched for optimum efficiency.

 

Thermostat

Usually found on an inside wall, this device operates as a control to regulate your heating and cooling equipment so that you can adjust your home comfort at the touch of a switch.

 

Ton

Unit of measurement for determining cooling capacity. One ton equals 12,000 Btuh.

 

Zoning

The ability of partitioning a home into various zones, thereby providing the opportunity to control comfort levels in each zone.