The purchase of new HVAC equipment can represent a significant financial investment for many homeowners. By knowing the following HVAC terminology, you’ll be able to purchase the best products with the best return on investment for your individual needs.
- Air handler: The fan or blower that moves air through the ductwork.
- BTU: British thermal unit, a measure of the output of heating and cooling equipment. One BTU is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree.
- Charge: The amount of refrigerant in your air conditioning system.
- Coil: Tubing or pipes, usually made of copper, containing refrigerant. Heat capture and release occurs in the coils.
- Compressor: Pressurizes gaseous refrigerant to circulate it and increase its pressure and temperature.
- Condenser: A coil where gaseous refrigerant returns to liquid form and transfers the heat it contains to the surrounding air.
- Ductwork: The air circulation network of large metal pipes that carries heated or cooled air from the main HVAC unit to your home’s interior.
- Evaporator: A coil in which the refrigerant transforms into a gaseous vapor and absorbs heat from its surroundings.
- Heat pump: A system that captures and moves heat, removing it from your home for cooling and bringing it in for heating.
- Plenum: A boxlike air compartment where heated or cooled air accumulates before being distributed through the ductwork.
- Refrigerant: A liquid that provides heat transfer. As the refrigerant changes from liquid to gaseous form and back again, it either absorbs or releases heat.
- Register: A metal covering placed on the ends of supply vents where warm or cool air enters your home. They usually have louvers or dampers for controlling the amount of air coming out.
- SEER: Seasonal energy efficiency ratio. This number represents the cooling efficiency of air conditioning systems measured over an entire cooling season. Higher SEER numbers indicate higher efficiency.
Since the company’s founding in 1963, Arpi’s Industries Ltd. has been a leading provider of heating, cooling and home comfort services for customers in Calgary and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for more information on the HVAC terminology you should know when choosing a new or upgraded system.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC terminology and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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