SEER
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) measures how much energy is used to cool the air and provides consumers a standard way to compare different systems. The higher the SEER number, the higher the efficiency. Since 2006, the minimum SEER rating is 13. Our product line meets the minimum and can go as high as 23 with an air-to-air system.
EER
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is taken at a specific time under specific conditions. It applies to both air conditioners and heat pumps.
HSPF
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) indicates the efficiency of the heating cycle of a heat pump. The higher the HSPF rating, the more efficient the heat pump.
AFUE
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is a percentage measure of the efficiency of a furnace. It accounts for cyclic on/off operation and seasonal variations. A furnace rated as 90% converts 90% of its fuel into heat with the remaining 10% released into the flue. The minimum AFUE furnace is 80%, and our most efficient is a 95% two-stage furnace.
Air Conditioning
In HVAC the control of the quality, quantity, and temperature-humidity of the air in an interior space.
Air Exchange Rate
In HVAC the rate at which outside air replaces indoor air in a space. Expressed in one of two ways: the number of changes of outside air per unit of time – air changes per hour (ACH); or the rate at which a volume of outside air enters per unit of time – cubic feet per minute (CFM).
Air Handling Unit (AHU)
In HVAC refers to equipment that includes a blower or fan, heating and/or cooling coils, and related equipment such as controls, condensate drain pans, and air filters. Does not include ductwork, registers or grilles, or boilers and chillers.
Air Infiltration
The unwanted entrance of air due to leakage, temperature difference, or wind.
Ambient Air
The air external to a building or device.
Backdrafting
The reversal of combustion gases in the flue pipe caused when a higher rate of air exhaust exceed the required safe rate of gas appliance drafting. Backdrafting begins when “the pressure differential that allows for release of combustion gases is overcome by low or negative indoor air pressure, caused by a high rate of expulsion of air pushed outdoors, through exhaust fans, fireplaces and dryers.
Blower
In HVAC the device in an air conditioner that distributes the filtered air from the return duct over the coil/heat exchanger. This circulated air is cooled/heated and then sent through the supply duct, past dampers, and through supply diffusers to the living/working space.
British Thermal Unit (BTU)
The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit, equal to 252 calories.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
A colorless, odourless but poisonous combustible gas with the formula CO. Carbon monoxide is produced in the incomplete combustion of carbon and carbon compounds such as fossil fuels (i.e. coal, petroleum) and their products (e.g. liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline), and biomass.
CFM Cubic feet per minute
HVAC term for the amount of air, in cubic feet, that flows through a given space in one minute. 1 CFM equals approximately 2 liters per second (l/s).
Combustion
The process of burning; the oxidation of a material by applying heat, which unites oxygen with a material or fuel.
Combustion Air
Air that provides the necessary oxygen for complete, clean combustion and maximum heating value.
Compressor
A device used to compress air for mechanical or electrical power production, and in air conditioners, heat pumps, and refrigerators to pressurize the refrigerant and enabling it to flow through the system.
Condensing Unit
The component of a central air conditioner that is designed to remove heat absorbed by the refrigerant and transfer it outside the conditioned space.
Dampers
HVAC term for controls that vary airflow through an air outlet, inlet, or duct. A damper position may be immovable, manually adjustable or part of an automated control system.
Dehumidifier
A device for reducing the level of humidity in a room or home.
Draft Hood
A device built into or installed above a combustion appliance to assure the escape of combustion byproducts, to prevent backdrafting of the appliance, or to neutralize the effects of the stack action of the chimney or vent on the operation of the appliance.
ERV
Energy Recovery Ventilator
Freon
A registered trademark for a cholorfluorocarbon (CFC) gas that is highly stable and that has been historically used as a refrigerant.
Fuel Efficiency
The ratio of heat produced by a fuel for doing work to the available heat in the fuel.
HEPA
High efficiency particulate arrestance (filters).
HRV
Heat Recovery Ventilator
Humidifier
A device for increasing the humidity in a room or home.
HVAC
HVAC is an acronym for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system.
IAQ
Indoor air quality.
Indoor Air Pollutant
Particles and dust, fibers, mists, bioaerosols, and gases or vapors.
Ionizer
A device that removes airborne particles from breathable air. Negative ions are produced and give up their negative charge to the particles. These new negative particles are then attracted to the positive particles surrounding them. This accumulation process continues until the particles become heavy enough to fall to the ground.
Natural Ventilation
In HVAC the movement of outdoor air into a space through intentionally provided openings, such as windows and doors, or through nonpowered ventilatiors or by infiltration.
Negative Pressure
Condition that exists when less air is supplied to a space than is exhausted from the space, so the air pressure within that space is less than that in surrounding areas. Under this condition, if an opening exists, air will flow from surrounding areas into the negatively pressurized space.
Plenum
HVAC term for an air compartment connected to a duct or ducts.
Positive Pressure
Condition that exists when more air is supplied to a space than is exhausted, so the air pressure within that space is greater than that in surrounding areas. Under this condition, if an opening exists, air will flow from the positively pressurized space into surrounding areas.
Radiant Energy
Energy that transmits away from its source in all directions.
Radiant Heating System
HVAC term for a heating system where heat is supplied (radiated) into a room by means of heated surfaces, such as electric resistance elements, hot water (hydronic) radiators, etc.
Refrigerant
The compound (working fluid) used in air conditioners, heat pumps, and refrigerators to transfer heat into or out of an interior space. This fluid boils at a very low temperature enabling it to evaporate and absorb heat.
Refrigeration
The process of the absorption of heat from one location and its transfer to another for rejection or recuperation.
Relative Humidity
A measure of the percent of moisture actually in the air compared with what would be in it if it were fully saturated at that temperature. When the air is fully saturated, its relative humidity is 100 percent.
Return Duct
The central heating or cooling system contains a fan that gets its air supply through these ducts, which ideally should be installed in every room of the house. The air from a room will move towards the lower pressure of the return duct.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
A measure of seasonal or annual efficiency of a central air conditioner or air conditioning heat pump. It takes into account the variations in temperature that can occur within a season and is the average number of Btu of cooling delivered for every watt-hour of electricity used by the heat pump over a cooling season.
Split System Air Conditioner
HVAC term for an air conditioning system that comes in two to five pieces: one piece contains the compressor, condenser, and a fan; the others have an evaporator and a fan. The condenser, installed outside the house, connects to several evaporators, one in each room to be cooled, mounted inside the house. Each evaporator is individually controlled, allowing different rooms or zones to be cooled to varying degrees.
Stack Effect
The overall upward movement of air inside a building that results from heated air rising and escaping through openings in the building super structure, thus causing an indoor pressure level lower than that in the soil gas beneath or surrounding the building foundation.
Static Pressure
Condition that exists when an equal amount of air is supplied to and exhausted from a space. At static pressure, equilibrium has been reached.
Supply Duct
HVAC term for the duct(s) of a forced air heating/cooling system through which heated or cooled air is supplied to rooms by the action of the fan of the central heating or cooling unit.
Tankless Water Heater
A water heater that heats water before it is directly distributed for end use as required; a demand water heater.
Ton (Air Conditioning)
A unit of air cooling capacity; 12,000 Btu per hour.
Vent
A component of a heating or ventilation appliance used to conduct fresh air into, or waste air or combustion gases out of, an appliance or interior space.
Ventilation
The process of moving air (changing) into and out of an interior space either by natural or mechanically induced (forced) means.
Zone
In HVAC an area within the interior space of a building, such as an individual room(s), to be cooled, heated, or ventilated. A zone has its own thermostat to control the flow of conditioned air into the space.