Common HVAC Terms

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). It refers to the different systems, machines and technologies used in indoor settings such as homes, offices and hallways, and transportation systems that need environmental regulation to improve comfort.

 

Air Filtration System

Helps to remove allergens, dust, bacteria, and mold from the air.  A filter should be changed on average every 3 months.  Different things will affect how often you need to change your filter such as the presence of pets, occupants with allergies or asthma, and how much your system is in use.

 

Air Flow

This measures the amount of air moving through your system.  It’s important for you to know because reduced air flow can be a major red flag that something may be wrong somewhere within your HVAC system.

 

BTU

British Thermal Unit; a traditional unit of heat.  It is used in terms of calculating the capacity of an air conditioner and is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one-degree Fahrenheit.

 

Compressor

This is a part of the outdoor unit that powers the heat transfer by compressing the refrigerant and pumping it through the system.

 

Duct

Insulated pipes that run throughout a building that transfer the air from one place to another.

 

Furnace

This is what generates heat and distributes it through your home using a fan.

 

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

This rates an HVAC systems competence similar to a miles per gallon rating of a car.  It is calculated using the cooling output for an average cooling season divided by the total electric energy input for the same time period.  The more efficient a system is, the higher the SEER rating.

 

Thermostat

An indoor portion of an HVAC system that allows you to control the temperature.  By setting the temperature and indicating whether you want the temperature to increase or decrease at that degree, you are controlling when your HVAC system turns on.

 

Zone

Individual sections that can be controlled independently of one another.  Having different zones set up allows you to make your system run more efficiently by reducing the systems use in unoccupied areas.

 

If you are in need of a repair or have any questions regarding your HVAC unit, please give us a call at: 732-349-0389 and we’ll be happy to help!