As a homeowner, you may find yourself in a conversation with an HVAC technician where you come across unfamiliar words or acronyms. To help you better understand, we’ve put together a glossary of terms commonly used in the heating and air conditioning industry.
Let’s start with the air handler. This is an important part of your ventilation system that draws in warm or cool air, depending on the season, and then distributes it throughout your home. It’s responsible for the overall temperature of your living space, so it’s essential to keep it working efficiently.
- BTU/BTUh stands for British Thermal Unit, which is a unit of measurement used to indicate the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The higher the BTUs, the more heating capacity a furnace has. BTUh refers to the British Thermal Units per hour, which is used to measure the amount of heat produced by a furnace.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a harmful byproduct of burning gas that can cause serious health issues. It’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless, which makes it hard to detect without proper equipment. Gas furnaces produce a small amount of CO, but it can still pose a risk if the air vents are obstructed. Therefore, it’s important to have your furnace checked regularly by qualified technicians and not rely solely on carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
- CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) is the measurement of how much air is circulating through your heating or cooling system. A qualified HVAC technician can calculate the optimal CFM for your home based on its size and construction. An optimally sized system will keep your home comfortable and energy efficient.
- The Condenser is the outside unit of your air conditioning system. It contains the compressor coil that discharges heat outside and moves cool refrigerant indoors.
- The Compressor is a crucial part of your air conditioning or heat pump system. It circulates refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor units, absorbing heat indoors, discharging it outdoors, and then returning cool refrigerant back indoors.
- Ductwork is a system of metal ducts or synthetic tubes that move warm or cool air throughout your home depending on the season. It’s important to keep your ducts clean and unobstructed to maintain the proper function and efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
- Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio (SEER) are both ratios used to measure the cooling energy provided relative to the electrical energy used. EER is used to measure the highest temperature of the year, while SEER calculates the seasonal average. The higher the EER or SEER rating, the more efficient your system is.
- Energy Star is a program from the Environmental Protection Agency that helps homeowners choose the most energy-efficient HVAC systems and other major home electrical appliances. An Energy Star system meets or exceeds federal guidelines for energy efficiency and can save you up to 50% on your energy bills compared to older, non-Energy Star systems.
- Finally, Heat Pumps are a highly efficient alternative to traditional central heating and air conditioning systems. They work by moving heat, removing heat from inside during the summer, and drawing heat from outside during the winter. Despite common misconceptions, there is plenty of heat outside even on the coldest days, making heat pumps a great option for any home.
We at Reed Heating and Air hope that this glossary has helped you better understand some of the commonly used terms in the HVAC industry. If you have any questions or concerns about your heating or air conditioning system, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable team. We’re always here to help you stay comfortable and energy efficient.
