GLOSSARY OF HVAC TERMS
Top-Quality HVAC services
- HVAC: Stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, it refers to the overall system that regulates temperature, humidity, and air quality in a building.
- Thermostat: A device that controls the temperature of a space by turning the heating or cooling system on or off.
- Furnace: A heating system that burns fuel to produce heat, usually powered by gas or oil.
- Heat pump: A device that uses electricity to transfer heat from one place to another. It can be used for both heating and cooling.
- Air handler: A unit that circulates and regulates air throughout the HVAC system.
- Ductwork: The network of pipes or channels that deliver heated or cooled air throughout a building.
- Ventilation: The process of exchanging indoor air with outdoor air to maintain good air quality.
- Air filter: A device that removes pollutants and allergens from the air as it circulates through the HVAC system.
- SEER: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, a measure of the cooling efficiency of an air conditioning unit.
- AFUE: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, a measure of the heating efficiency of a furnace or boiler.
- Humidifier: A device that adds moisture to the air in a building to prevent dryness and improve indoor air quality.
- Dehumidifier: A device that removes moisture from the air to prevent excess humidity and improve indoor air quality.
- Heat exchanger: A device that transfers heat between two fluids without allowing them to mix, commonly used in furnaces and boilers.
- Zoning: The process of dividing a building into separate areas or zones, each with its own temperature control.
- BTU: British Thermal Unit, a measure of the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
- Radiant heating: A heating system that uses infrared radiation to warm objects and surfaces in a space.
- Geothermal heating and cooling: A system that uses the earth’s natural heat to provide heating and cooling for a building.
- Mini-split system: A ductless heating and cooling system that consists of an outdoor compressor unit and one or more indoor air-handling units.
- Ductless system: A heating and cooling system that does not use ductwork, instead, it uses individual units in each room to regulate temperature.
- IAQ: Indoor Air Quality, a term used to describe the level of air purity and cleanliness within a building.