| GLOSSARY OF TERMS |
AFUE - Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, a rating that reflects the efficiency of a gas
furnace in converting fuel to energy. A rating of 90 means that approximately 90 percent
of the fuel is utilized to provide warmth to your home, while the remaining 10 percent
escapes as exhaust.
BTU - British Thermal Unit. In scientific terms, it represents the amount of energy
required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. One BTU is the equivalent of
the heat given off by a single wooden kitchen match. For your home, it represents the
measure of heat given off when fuel is burned for heating or the measure of heat extracted
from your home for cooling.
CFM - Cubic feet per minute, a standard of airflow measurement. A typical system
produces 400 CFM per ton of air conditioning.
Capacity - The output or producing capability of a piece of cooling or heating equipment.
Cooling and heating capacity are normally referred to in BTUs.
Compressor - The heart of an air conditioning or heat pump system. It is part of the
outdoor unit that pumps refrigerant. The compressor maintains adequate pressure to
cause refrigerant to flow in sufficient quantities in order to meet the cooling requirements
of the system.
Condenser Coil or Outdoor Coil - Located in the outdoor unit, the coil dissipates
heat from the refrigerant, changing the refrigerant from vapor to liquid.
Damper - Found in ductwork, this movable plate opens and closes to control airflow.
Dampers are used effectively in zoning to regulate airflow to certain rooms.
Evaporator Coil - The coil that is inside your house in a split system. In the
evaporator, refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat from air passed over the coil.
Heat Exchanger - A device for the transfer of heat energy from the source to the
conveying medium.
Humidifier - A device that injects water vapor into heated air as the air is expelled from
the furnace.
Humidity - The amount of moisture in the air. Air conditioners remove moisture for
added comfort.
HVAC - Heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
Refrigerant - A substance that produces a refrigerating effect while expanding or
vaporizing.
Refrigerant Lines - Set of two copper lines connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor
unit.
SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, a rating that measures the cooling efficiency
of a heat pump or air conditioner. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit.
Ton - A unit of measurement used for determining cooling capacity. One ton is the
equivalent of 12,000 BTUs per hour.
furnace in converting fuel to energy. A rating of 90 means that approximately 90 percent
of the fuel is utilized to provide warmth to your home, while the remaining 10 percent
escapes as exhaust.
BTU - British Thermal Unit. In scientific terms, it represents the amount of energy
required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. One BTU is the equivalent of
the heat given off by a single wooden kitchen match. For your home, it represents the
measure of heat given off when fuel is burned for heating or the measure of heat extracted
from your home for cooling.
CFM - Cubic feet per minute, a standard of airflow measurement. A typical system
produces 400 CFM per ton of air conditioning.
Capacity - The output or producing capability of a piece of cooling or heating equipment.
Cooling and heating capacity are normally referred to in BTUs.
Compressor - The heart of an air conditioning or heat pump system. It is part of the
outdoor unit that pumps refrigerant. The compressor maintains adequate pressure to
cause refrigerant to flow in sufficient quantities in order to meet the cooling requirements
of the system.
Condenser Coil or Outdoor Coil - Located in the outdoor unit, the coil dissipates
heat from the refrigerant, changing the refrigerant from vapor to liquid.
Damper - Found in ductwork, this movable plate opens and closes to control airflow.
Dampers are used effectively in zoning to regulate airflow to certain rooms.
Evaporator Coil - The coil that is inside your house in a split system. In the
evaporator, refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat from air passed over the coil.
Heat Exchanger - A device for the transfer of heat energy from the source to the
conveying medium.
Humidifier - A device that injects water vapor into heated air as the air is expelled from
the furnace.
Humidity - The amount of moisture in the air. Air conditioners remove moisture for
added comfort.
HVAC - Heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
Refrigerant - A substance that produces a refrigerating effect while expanding or
vaporizing.
Refrigerant Lines - Set of two copper lines connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor
unit.
SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, a rating that measures the cooling efficiency
of a heat pump or air conditioner. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit.
Ton - A unit of measurement used for determining cooling capacity. One ton is the
equivalent of 12,000 BTUs per hour.
| "When You're Comfortable... We're Comfortable!" |
| 815-282-4980 |