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HVAC Terminology

A helpful glossary of common industry terms.

AFUEsearch for term

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. A measure of a gas furnace's efficiency in converting fuel to energy. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit.

Burner Orificesearch for term

The opening through which gas flows to the air/gas mixing chamber of the burner.

CSAsearch for term

Canadian Standards Association.

Diffusersearch for term

A grille over an air supply duct having vanes to distribute the discharging air in a specific pattern or direction.

Evaporator Coil (or Indoor Coil)search for term

The other half of an air conditioning system, located inside your home in the indoor unit. This is a tubing coil in which a volatile liquid evaporates and absorbs heat. This is where the refrigerantA chemical that produces a refrigerating effect while expanding and vaporizing. Most residential air conditioning systems contain R22 refrigerant. R22 is regulated under the Montreal Protocol and in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency. R22 is scheduled to be in production until the year 2020. It's used in approximately 95 percent of air conditioning equipment manufactured in the U.S. today. evaporates as it absorbs heat from the indoor air that passes over the coil.

Fahrenheitsearch for term

The temperature scale on which water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees; designated by the letter F. To convert FahrenheitThe temperature scale on which water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees; designated by the letter F. To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit number, multiply by 5 and divide by 9 (77 32 equals 45, times 5 equals 225, divided by 9 equals 25 degrees Celsius). to Celsius, subtract 32 from the FahrenheitThe temperature scale on which water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees; designated by the letter F. To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit number, multiply by 5 and divide by 9 (77 32 equals 45, times 5 equals 225, divided by 9 equals 25 degrees Celsius). number, multiply by 5 and divide by 9 (77 32 equals 45, times 5 equals 225, divided by 9 equals 25 degrees Celsius).

GAMAsearch for term

Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association.

Hertzsearch for term

In alternating current (AC electricity), the number of cycles per second.

HVACsearch for term

Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning.

Ignitionsearch for term

The lighting of a fuel to make it burn.

Kilowatt (kW)search for term

1,000 watts.

Latent Heatsearch for term

A type of heat, which when added to or taken from a substance, does not change the temperature of the substance. Instead, the heat energy enables the substance to change its state.

Mediasearch for term

The material in a filter that traps and holds the impurities.

NEMAsearch for term

National Electrical Manufacturing Association

OEMsearch for term

Original equipment manufacturer.

Package Unitsearch for term

A heating and cooling system contained in one outdoor unit. A package unitA heating and cooling system contained in one outdoor unit. A package unit is typically installed beside, on the roof, or sometimes in the attic of a home. is typically installed beside, on the roof, or sometimes in the attic of a home.

Refrigerantsearch for term

A chemical that produces a refrigerating effect while expanding and vaporizing. Most residential air conditioning systems contain R22 refrigerantA chemical that produces a refrigerating effect while expanding and vaporizing. Most residential air conditioning systems contain R22 refrigerant. R22 is regulated under the Montreal Protocol and in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency. R22 is scheduled to be in production until the year 2020. It's used in approximately 95 percent of air conditioning equipment manufactured in the U.S. today.. R22 is regulated under the Montreal Protocol and in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency. R22 is scheduled to be in production until the year 2020. It's used in approximately 95 percent of air conditioning equipment manufactured in the UFactorThe factor representing resistance to heat flow of various building materials..S. today.

Spine Fin™search for term

CoilAllaluminum outdoor coil that features the patented Spine Fin™CoilAllaluminum outdoor coil that features the patented Spine Fin™ design. It provides greater heat exchanging capabilities (meaning higher efficiencies) and is more resistant to corrosion than traditional copper/aluminum design. It provides greater heat exchanging capabilities (meaning higher efficiencies) and is more resistant to corrosion than traditional copper/aluminum

Superfastsearch for term

super fast

Twostage heating / Twostage coolingsearch for term

Twostage heating and cooling is considered to be more efficient, because it operates at low speed most of the time. However, on days when more heating or air conditioning is required, it switches to the next stage for maximum comfort.

Usearch for term

FactorThe factor representing resistance to heat flow of various building materials.

Voltsearch for term

The unit of measure used to describe a difference in electrical potential. Abbreviated by the symbol "v".

Wattsearch for term

The unit of electrical power equal to the flow of one amp at a potential difference of one voltThe unit of measure used to describe a difference in electrical potential. Abbreviated by the symbol "v"..

Zoning Systemsearch for term

A method of dividing a home into different comfort zones so each zone can be independently controlled depending on use and need; an air conditioning system capable of maintaining varying conditions for various rooms or zones.

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