The HVAC system in your home or office is responsible for providing you the cooling or heating relief you need through cold and warm months. However, these are intricate and sophisticated machines with many components that help everything operate smoothly and provide you and your family with the quality comfort you deserve.

So, to help you better understand your HVAC system as a whole as well as the pieces that comprise it, here is your complete Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning ABCs glossary of terms explained.

HVAC Glossary A to Z

A

Air Handler

An indoor component of your HVAC system that is responsible for moving air throughout your home.

Air Filtration System

A device that removes pollutants, allergens, dust and other unwanted airborne particles from your home’s heated or cooled conditioned air. This product helps improve indoor air quality (IAQ).

Allergen

Any substance that causes an allergic reaction–including dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold, mildew, fungus, tobacco smoke, lint, bacteria and more. Allergens can lower your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) so you will want to have your air tested.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)

The efficiency measurement for a central furnace or boiler. AFUE is the ratio of annual heat output of the furnace/boiler compared to the total annual fossil fuel energy consumed by the furnace/boiler. In sum, it measures how efficient your heating appliance is in its ability to convert the energy in its fuel to heat over the course of a year.

B

British thermal unit (BTU)

The international measure of energy used to denote the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Ultimately, BTUs measure the amount of heat an HVAC system can remove from a room per hour, or the measure of heat extracted from your home for cooling.

C

Capacity

This refers to the producing capability of your AC and heating equipment. Your heating and cooling capacity is typically referred to in terms of BTUs.

Combined Annual Efficiency (CAE)

CAE measures the amount of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed in regards to both air and water heating.

Compressor

The outdoor component of your AC or heat pump that is responsible for compressing and pumping refrigerant to achieve the desired indoor temperature.

Condenser Coil

The outdoor component of your HVAC system that functions to either release or collect heat, depending on the temperature outside and the time of year.

Control

The temperature control device is usually found on a wall inside your home, and it consists of sensors and relays that serve to monitor and controls your heating and cooling system’s functions. Certain controls allow you to program different levels of comfort and temperature for different times of the day and days of the week.

Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM)

A measure to indicate the amount of air (in cubic feet) that passes by a stationary point per minute. The higher the number, the more air that’s being moved through your system through the ductwork.

Cycling

Cycling refers to the process of your HVAC system “cycling” on and off. Some systems require less cycling than others, which results in higher efficiency and ultimately less overall wear or your system.

D

Damper

A movable plate found in your ductwork that opens and closes in order to control the airflow circulating through your home. Dampers work effectively in multi-zone systems to help regulate airflow to certain rooms and control temperature consistency.

Decibel (dB)

A unit used to measure the relative intensity of sound. In terms of HVAC, this is used to measure the intensity of the noise being emitted from your air conditioning unit.

Dehumidifier

A device used to remove humidity levels from indoor air. These work especially well during hot, humid months and in climates with high outdoor humidity levels.

Department of Energy (DOE)

The DOE is a federal agency responsible for setting and regulating industry efficiency standards as well as monitoring energy consumption.

Dual Fuel

A comfort technology system that pairs an electric heat pump with a gas furnace. This dual fuel systems to serve as a more energy-efficiency alternative to the conventional furnace/air conditioner technology.

Ductwork

The pipes/channels through which air travels from the furnace or blower throughout your home. Over time, dust, mold, bacteria, dander, bacteria and other pollutants can accumulate in your air ducts which makes duct cleaning an essential part of HVAC maintenance.

Ductless System

Ductless systems work to condition and cool your air without the intricate series of ductwork.

E

Energy Star®

A program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work towards reducing the nation’s energy consumption. ENERGY STAR® qualified HVAC equipment can be anywhere from 7 to 15 percent more efficient than standard equipment. This means ENERGY STAR® heating and cooling equipment can cut your annual energy bill by $115 or more.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

A federal agency responsible for developing and enforcing federal environmental regulations. The EPA oversees the national ENERGY STAR® program.

Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is a component of your air conditioner or heat pump and is either located inside the air handler or is attached to your furnace. The evaporator coil works to absorb the heat from your home’s indoor air.

F

Fan Coil Unit

A smaller and self-contained unit that moves air over a heated or cooled coil without ductwork. See ductless system.

Furnace

Indoor heating unit that operates in conjunction with your air conditioner unit or heat pump.

H

Heating Exchanger

The heat exchanger is located in the furnace and is responsible for transferring heat to the surrounding air pumped throughout your home.

Heat Pump

An HVAC unit that functions to heat or cool air by moving heat. During cooler winter months, a heat pump draws heat from outdoor air to circulate it throughout your air ducts. During the summer, it reverses this process and removes heat from inside your home to release it outdoors.

Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)

The heating efficiency measurement for heat pumps. The higher the rating is, the more efficient the heat pump.

HEPA Filter

A High Efficiency Particulate Absorbing mechanical air filter. HEPA filters remove airborne particles from your home’s air by trapping them as air flows through your vents. It works by forcing air through a fine mesh, where harmful particles become trapped and no longer circulate through your air.

Humidifier

An indoor air quality device that adds moisture to dry air. This products is especially helpful during winter months and in hot, arid climates.

Humidistat

An automated device that works to regulate humidity levels within your home. It can be set to maintain humidity at either a fixed or adjustable setting.

HVAC

The acronym for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Today’s HVAC systems also include air cleaning and moisture controls.

Hybrid Comfort System

A home comfort packaged system that combines a heat pump with a gas furnace.

I

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Indoor Air Quality, also called IAQ, refers to the quality of the air inside in terms of concentrations of pollutants and temperature/humidity conditions that can affect the health, comfort and performance of occupants.

Indoor Coil

The part of your outdoor unit attached to your furnace or air handler. See evaporator coil.

Indoor/Outdoor System

A home comfort system consisting of components/units in two locations. For example, most HVAC systems consist of an outside unit (the air conditioner) as well as an indoor unit (the furnace).

M

MERV Rating

The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rating of an air filter that explains the size of the filter’s holes where air passes through. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the filter’s holes.

N

NATE Certification

North American Technician Excellence is a nationwide certification program for home HVAC technicians, and is the only industry-wide recognized certification.

O

Outdoor Coil

The component of your HVAC system located in the outdoor unit responsible for dissipating heat from the refrigerant and changing the refrigerant from vapor to liquid.

P

Packaged System

An AC and/or heating system wherein all components are located in one cabinet location. This all-in-one packaged system is typically installed either next to or on top of your home.

Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats provide more control over your home comfort and settings, and ultimately can help you reduce your energy consumption and monthly utility bills.

R

R-22 Refrigerant

A refrigerant used in older heating and air conditioning systems that has been linked to environmental hazards. R-22 refrigerants like Freon are now being phased out in the U.S. by the EPA, which will make older systems more expensive to operate and maintain. Manufacturers now offer dry-charged units for those who still use systems compatible with R-22 refrigerants.

R-410A Refrigerant

A chlorine-free refrigerant that meets the EPA’s environmental standards and guidelines.

Refrigerant

A chemical that, while in the process of expanding or vaporizing, produces a cooling effect. It is what allows your AC unit to blow cold air.

Refrigerant Lines

Two copper lines connecting the outdoor AC unit or heat pump to the evaporator coil located inside.

S

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

SEER is an energy efficient rating for central air conditioning systems. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the system’s energy performance and the more you save on cooling expenses. The Department of Energy has established a minimum SEER rating of 13.00 for all air conditioners.

Split System

A home comfort system consisting of components in two locations.

T

Thermidistat

A sophisticated thermostat that is capable of sensing both outdoor and indoor temperatures, as well as the relative humidity of your indoor air.

Thermostat

A temperature control device located on the wall inside your home. Thermostats are made up of sensors and relays that monitor and control the functions of your HVAC system.

Two-Stage Heating/Cooling Operation

Two-stage heating and cooling provides two levels of heating or cooling output for greater temperature control, efficiency and indoor air quality (IAQ). These are considered more efficient since they largely operate at a low, energy-saving speed.

V

Variable Speed Motor

A fan motor inside higher efficiency units that automatically adjusts the flow or warm or cool air to provide the highest comfort. It works in conjunction with your thermostat to reduce temperature variances in your home.

Ventilator

A system that works to exchange stale indoor air with fresh, filtered outdoor air.

Z

Zoning System

A system that portions a home or office building into independently controlled zones. This allows for more control, and enhanced comfort and efficiency.

Call Local AC for South Florida HVAC Services

Local AC is your go-to company for any and everything HVAC-related. We are proud to be the leading choice for cooling and heating support in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Fla. Contact us today to learn more about how we can keep you cool at a cost you’ll love this spring and summer.