AFUE
Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency is a measure of your furnace’s heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more efficient the furnace. The minimum percentage established by the DOE for furnaces is 78.
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.
Bioaerosols
Microscopic living organisms that grow and multiply in warm, humid places.
BTU
A British thermal unit is a unit of heat energy. One BTUu 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.
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.
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.
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.
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®
A label attached to HVAC systems that meet or exceed the EPA guidelines for energy efficiency.
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. Its primary function is to absorb the heat from the air in
your house.
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
A type of furnace, installed on its side, which draws in air from one
side, heats it and sends the warm air out the other side. Ideal for
attic and 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.
There is no legislated minimum HSPF rating.
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.
Humiditrol
Lennox device that draws 600 pints of water from the air daily. A large dehumidifier.
HVAC
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
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.
Odors/Chemicals
Air contaminants in the form of gases.
Particles
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 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is an energy efficiency rating for
air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the better the energy
performance, the more you save. The DOE’s established minimum SEER
rating for cooling is 10.00.
Single Package
A heating and cooling system contained in one outdoor unit.
Split System
A combination heat pump or air conditioner with indoor components, such
as a furnace or blower coil. 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 heat output for greater temperature control.
Upflow
A type of furnace that draws cool air from the bottom and blows the warm
air out the top into the ductwork. Designed for basement or closet
installations.
Variable Speed
Motor
Automatically adjusts the control of heat airflow for ultimate comfort.
Ventilator
A system that exchanges stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh,
filtered outside air.
VOC’S
Volatile Organic Compounds
Zoning
A method of partitioning a home into independently controlled comfort
zones for enhanced comfort and efficiency.