GLOSSARY
HVAC
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. These are the main systems responsible for maintaining comfort in a home or building.
Air Handler
The indoor part of an HVAC system. It moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home.
BTU (British Thermal Unit)
A measure of heat energy. One BTU is the amount of energy needed to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. It’s used to quantify how much heat an HVAC system can remove from your home each hour.
Compressor
Located outside your home within the condensing unit, the compressor circulates the refrigerant necessary for heat exchange through the coils of your indoor and outdoor unit.
Condenser Coil
Located in the outdoor unit, the condenser coil disperses heat from refrigerant into the outdoor air, causing the refrigerant to become a high-pressure liquid.
Ductwork
The network of ducts in your home distributes heated or cooled air from the HVAC system to the various rooms of your home.
Evaporator Coil
Located in the indoor unit, the evaporator coil absorbs heat from your home’s air and transfers it to the refrigerant.
Filter
Essential for maintaining clean, healthy air inside your home. Filters remove dust, allergens, and other particles from air as it circulates through the HVAC system.
Freon
A type of refrigerant brand. It’s being phased out due to its ozone-depleting properties.
Heat Pump
An all-in-one heating and air conditioning system. It uses a process of heat transfer to move heat from one place to another, depending on the season.
HVAC Zone
An area within a home or building that has its own thermostat to control temperature and airflow. This helps to improve comfort and efficiency.
Refrigerant
A chemical compound that absorbs and releases heat as it cycles through an HVAC system.
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)
The measure of an air conditioning unit’s efficiency over a cooling season. The higher the SEER, the more energy-efficient the unit.
Thermostat
The device that controls the temperature inside your home. Can be programmable or smart, allowing for customizable settings and control from a smartphone.
Ton
A unit of measurement used in the HVAC industry to denote the cooling capacity of an air conditioning system. One ton of cooling equals 12,000 BTU/hour.
Ventilation
The process of supplying a continuous supply of outdoor air to maintain indoor air quality. It removes unpleasant smells and excessive moisture, introduces outside air, keeps interior building air circulating, and prevents stagnation of the interior air.
Zoning System
A method of dividing a home into different zones, or areas, that can be independently temperature-controlled.
AC (Air Conditioning)
A system or systems for controlling temperature, humidity, and air quality within a building.
Air Balancing
The process of adjusting an HVAC system to ensure that air is properly distributed throughout the home.
Air Change
The replacement of a volume of air in a given space within a set period, typically expressed in minutes.
Airflow Volume
The quantity of air that passes through an HVAC system or its parts in a given time period.
Blower
A device in the HVAC system that circulates air.
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
A measurement of air volume flow rate.
Damper
A movable plate, located in the ductwork, that regulates airflow and redirects it to specific areas of the home.
Diffuser
A grille or vent designed to direct airflow in a specific direction.
Ductless System
An HVAC system that delivers air directly into different zones in your home, without the use of ducts.
Energy Star
A program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that promotes energy efficiency.
Geothermal System
An HVAC system that utilizes the constant temperature of the earth to provide heating and cooling.
IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)
Refers to the quality of the air within and around buildings, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.
Load Calculation
A mathematical design tool used to determine the heat gain and heat loss in a building so the HVAC system can be properly sized.
MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value)
The rating of a filter’s ability to remove particles from the air.
NATE (North American Technician Excellence)
An independent organization that certifies installation or service technicians with a knowledge-based test.
Radiant Floor
A type of heating system that is installed underneath the floor to heat a room.
Refrigerant Charge
The required amount of refrigerant in a system.
Split System
An HVAC system in which some components are located inside the structure of the house and some are located outside.
Variable Speed Motor
A motor that can run at a full range of speeds, providing more precise control of temperature, humidity, and airflow.
Zone Control System
A HVAC control system that uses multiple thermostats and automated dampers to more effectively manage the heating and cooling needs of different areas of a home or building.
Flue
A duct or pipe for the expulsion of exhaust gases from a heating system or generator.
Grille
A fitting that allows air to enter or exit through a wall, floor, or ceiling.
Heat Gain
he increase in heat in a space, resulting from direct solar radiation, heat conduction through walls, and