Like all other fields, there are a lot of terms we use in the HVAC field to describe many different things. It can get overwhelming to the customer who doesn’t know what half the terms mean. Here is a list of the most common HVAC terms and their meanings.
AFUE– Means annual fuel utilization efficiency. This is how efficiently a gas furnace converts fuel to energy. If you have a 92% AFUE then that furnace will utilize 92% of the fuel to warm your home only wasting 8%
Air Filter– Pleated device that catches particulates from the air to keep them out of your HVAC system and helps your breathe easier.
Air handler– This is the part of your HVAC system that forces the air through your duct work and into your home.
BTU– British thermal unit. This is how much heat that is required to raise 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. For cooling its a measure of heat extracted from your home.
Circuit Breaker– A device that opens a circuit when an overload happens.
Compressor– Squeezes molecules of refrigerant together to compress them to increase the temperature and pressure of it.
Condensate– Is moisture that has gathered on an evaporator coil.
Condenser Coil– The outside portion of your AC that condenses the refrigerant from gas back into liquid. This is where the heat is carried outside.
EER– Energy Efficiency Rating- Measures efficiency of how a product uses energy.
Evaporator Coil– Cools and dehumidifies the air by converting liquid refrigerant into a gas.
Refrigerant- Refrigerant used to cool your home.
Humidifier– Adds moisture to the air
HVAC– Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
Load Estimate– A series of studies performed to determine the heating or cooling requirements of your home
Plenum– Carries air to the different ducts which distribute it throughout the house.
Programmable Thermostat– Thermostat you can program to change the settings automatically depending days and times you need it to.
R-22– Older refrigerant that was used to cool your home. It has HCFC in it and is harmful to the ozone layer. They are phasing it out
R-410A– HFC refrigerant that has little effect on the ozone layer. This is the kind of refrigerant we are using now to cool our homes.
Refrigerant lines– Set of two copper lines connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.
SEER– The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner
Split System– Refers to an air conditioner or heat pump that has components in two locations.
Ton– A unit of measure for cooling capacity. One ton = 12,000 BTUs per hour. This is not how much the unit weighs.
Zoning– Dividing a home into small sections for heating and cooling control. Each section is selected so that one thermostat can be used to determine its requirements.
This is a list of words we use a lot in the HVAC business so hopefully this helped clear up any meanings not understood. Bartlett Heating and Air can help you with all your HVAC needs so give us a call today!
