Common HVAC Terms Explained

AFUE: The measurement for heating efficiency is AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency), which ranges from 80% to 95% for new systems. The higher the AFUE, the more efficiently the system performs, the greater your energy savings.

Airflow: The distribution or movement of air.

Air Handler/Coil Blower: The indoor part of an air conditioner or heat pump that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home. An air handler is usually a furnace or a blower coil.

BTU: A British thermal unit is a unit of heat energy. One Btu is the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The higher the Btu rating, the greater the heating capacity of the system.

Btuh: British thermal units per hour.

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

Carbon Monoxide: An odorless, colorless, tasteless, poisonous and flammable gas that is produced when carbon burns with insufficient air.

Central Air Conditioning System: System in which air is treated at a central location and distributed to and from rooms by one or more fans and a series of ducts.

CFM: Stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. This measurement indicates how many cubic feet of air pass by a stationary point in one minute. The higher the number, the more air is being moved through the ductwork by the system.

Compressor: The part of the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps refrigerant to meet household cooling requirements.

Condenser Coil: The outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heat pump that either releases or collects heat, depending on the time of the year.

Damper: A movable plate, located in the ductwork, that regulates airflow. Dampers are used to direct air to the areas that need it most. Typically used in a zoning application.

dB: A decibel is a unit used to measure the relative intensity of sound.

DOE: The Department of Energy is a federal agency responsible for setting industry efficiency standards and monitoring the consumption of energy sources.

Ductless Air Conditioner: See Mini-split System.

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

Electronic Air Cleaner: An electronic device that filters out large particles and bioaerosols in indoor air.

ENERGY STAR®: An EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) designation attached to HVAC products that meet or exceed EPA guidelines for high-efficiency performance above the standard government minimums.

EPA: The Environmental Protection Agency develops and enforces federal environmental regulations. The EPA oversees the nationwide Energy Star® program.

Evaporator Coil: The part of the air conditioner or heat pump that is located inside the air handler or attached to the furnace. Its primary function is to absorb the heat from the air in your house.

FAQ: Stands for “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: A heat pump is an HVAC unit that heats or cools by moving heat. During the winter, a heat pump draws heat from outdoor air and circulates it through your home’s air ducts. In the summer, it reverses the process and removes heat from your house and releases it outdoors.

Horizontal Flow: When an air handler or furnace is positioned on its side and circulates air in one end and out the other. Ideal for attic or crawl space installations.

HSPF: The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is the heating efficiency rating for heat pumps. The higher the rating, the more efficient the heat pump. HSPF will be regulated in 2006 at 7.7.

Humidifier: An indoor air quality device that introduces moisture to heated air as it passes from the furnace into the ductwork for distribution throughout the home.

Humidistat: An automatic device used to maintain humidity at a fixed or adjustable set point.

HVAC: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Indoor Coil: See Evaporator Coil.

ISO 9000: A family of international standards for quality management and assurance.

MERV Rating: The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of a filter describes the size of the holes in the filter that allow air to pass through. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the holes in the filter, the higher the efficiency.

Micron: A unit of measure equal to one millionth of a meter, or one thousandth of a millimeter.

Mini-split System: A ductless air conditioning system that mounts in a single room, used to cool individual areas, particularly if a Window Unit is not desired or no windows are present.

Odors/Chemicals: Air contaminants in the form of gases.

Outdoor Coil: See Condenser Coil.

Particles (Particulates): Any substances measuring less than 100 microns in diameter. The EPA has found that small particles (less than 2.5 microns) are responsible for the health effects of greatest concern.

Programmable Thermostat: A thermostat with the ability to record different temperature/time settings for your heating and/or cooling equipment.

R410A Refrigerant:A chlorine-free refrigerant that meets the EPA’s newest, most stringent environmental guidelines.

Refrigerant: A chemical that produces a cooling effect while expanding or vaporizing. Most residential air conditioning units contain the standard R-22 refrigerant, or Freon.

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

Scroll Compressor: A specially designed compressor that works in a circular motion, as opposed to up-and-down piston action.

SEER: The cooling performance of air conditioners and heat pumps is rated using the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) system, which ranges from 13.00 to 20.00 for new systems. The higher the SEER, the better the efficiency, the greater the energy savings.

Single Package: A heating and cooling system contained in one outdoor unit.

Split System: An HVAC system in which some components are located inside the structure of the house and some are located outside. Split systems should be matched for optimal efficiency.

Thermidistat: Monitors temperature and humidity and adjusts heating or cooling system to maintain desired levels.

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

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

Two-Stage Operation: Provides two levels of heating or cooling output for greater temperature control, energy efficiency and improved indoor air quality.

Upflow: When an air handler or furnace is installed in an upright position and circulates air through the side or bottom and out through the top. Typically used in basement, closet and attic installations.

Variable Speed Motor: A motor that automatically adjusts the flow of warm or cool air for ultimate comfort.

Ventilator (or Fresh Air Ventilator): A system that exchanges stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outside air.

Window Unit: An air conditioner designed to be placed in the window, used for cooling individual rooms.

Zoning: A method of partitioning a home into independently controlled comfort zones for enhanced comfort and efficiency