Glossary of Common Terms
Air Handler
The portion of your air conditioner or heating system that forces air through your home’s ductwork.BTU
British Thermal Unit. Used for both heating and cooling, BTU is a measure of the heat given off when fuel is combusted. Or for cooling, it’s a measure of heat extracted from your home. (One BTU is approximately equal to the heat given off by a wooden kitchen match.)CFM
Stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. A measurement of airflow that indicates how many cubic feet of air pass by a stationary point in one minute. The higher the number, the more air is being forced through the system.Capacity
The ability of a heating or cooling system to heat or cool a given amount of space. For heating, this is usually expressed in BTUs. For cooling, it is usually given in tons.Compressor
Part of the heat pump or air conditioner unit that controls the pressure applied to the refrigerant, necessary for taking in heat to warm your home or getting rid of heat to keep your home cool.Condenser Coil
Part of the outdoor portion of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump. By converting refrigerant that is in a gas form back to a liquid, the coil sends heat carried by the refrigerant to the outside. Also referred to as an Outdoor Coil.Damper
A type of “valve” used in ductwork that opens or closes to control airflow. Used in zoning to control the amount of warm or cool air entering certain areas of your home.Ductwork
Hollow pipes used to transfer air from the Air Handler to the air vents throughout your home. Ductwork is one of the most important components of a home heating and cooling system.Evaporator Coil
Part of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump located indoors. The evaporator coil cools and dehum8idifies the air by converting liquid refrigerant into a gas, which absorbs the heat from the air. The warmed refrigerant is then carried through a tube to the outdoor unit (condenser coil). Also referred to as an indoor coil.Fan Coil
An indoor component of a heat pump system, used in place of a furnace, to provide additional heating on cold days when the heat pump does not provide adequate heating.HVAC
Term used for Heating, Ventilation and Air ConditioningHeat Pump
A heating and air conditioning unit that heats or cools by moving heat.Humidifier
A piece of equipment that adds water vapor to heated air as it moves out of the furnace. This adds necessary moisture to protect your furnishings and reduce static electricity.Load Estimate
A series of studies performed to determine the heating or cooling requirements of your home. An energy load analysis uses information such as the square footage of your home, window or door areas, insulation quality and local climate to determine the heating and cooling capacity needed by your furnace, heat pump or air conditioner. When referring to heating, this is often known as a Heat Loss Analysis, since a home’s heating requirements are determined by the amount of heat lost through the roof, entryways and walls.R-22 Refrigerant
R-22 is a single component of HCFC refrigerant with low ozone depletion potential. It is also commonly known as Freon.Refrigerant Lines Two copper lines that connect the Condenser (Outdoor) Coil to the Evaporator (Indoor) Coil.
