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AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency)
The annualized average efficiency of a fuel-fired appliance, taking into account the effect of on-off operation. The higher the AFUE the lower the operating costs for the end user.
Air Conditioning
The treatment of air temperature, humidity, cleanliness and circulation so as to achieve a controlled, desired result.
BTU (British Thermal Unit)
The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1oF. A quantity of heat.
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
The unit of measure of the volume rate of airflow, as in a heating system.
Compressor
In a vapor compression cycle, the device that increases the pressure and temperature of refrigerant vapor. It continuously draws low pressure refrigerant vapor from the cooler, adds energy to increase the refrigerant pressure and temperature, and discharges the high pressure vapor to the condenser. The compressor is like the refrigerant pump.
Condensation
The process by which a gas is changed into a liquid at constant temperature by heat removal.
Condenser
A heat exchange coil within a mechanical refrigeration system used to reject heat from the system.
The coil where condensation takes place.
Condensing Furnace
A high-efficiency, gas forced-air furnace that uses a second condensing heat exchanger to extract the latent heat in the flue gas.
Damper
A bladed device used to vary the volume of air passing through the air outlet, air inlet, or duct.
Dehumidification
The condensation of water vapor from air by cooling the air below the dewpoint or the removal of water vapor from air by chemical or physical methods.
Dry Bulb Temperature
Temperature measured using a standard thermometer. A measure of the sensible heat of the air or surface being measured.
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
The ratio of the rated cooling capacity in BTUs per hour divided by the amount of electrical power used in watts at any given set of conditions.
Evacuation
The process of removing air, moisture, and other gases from the inside of a refrigeration system.
Evaporator
A heat exchange coil within a mechanical refrigeration system used to absorb heat into the system. The coil where evaporation takes place. The evaporator is usually located in you duct system at your furnace.
Flue Gas
Products of combustion plus excess air plus dilution air (on natural-draft appliances) that pass through the vent.
Forced-air Furnace
Any furnace that uses a fan to circulate heated air.
Heat
A form of energy. The least organized form of energy. The form of energy into which other forms deteriorate.
Heat Pump
A comfort system in which the refrigeration cycle is reversed by using a four-way valve to supply heating as well as cooling.
Heating Capacity
The rate at which a device can add heat to a substance, expressed in BTUH.
Induced-draft Furnace
A furnace in which a motor-driven fan draws air from the surrounding area or from outdoors to support combustion.
Natural-draft Furnace
A furnace in which the natural flow of air from around the furnace provides the air to support combustion. It also depends on the pressure created by the heat in the flue gases to force them out through the vent system.
Packaged Unit
A self-contained heating and/or air conditioning system.
Plenum
A sealed chamber at the inlet or outlet of an air handler. The duct attaches to the plenum.
Refrigerant
A fluid (liquid or gas) that picks up heat by evaporating at a low temperature and pressure. It gives up heat by condensing at a higher temperature and pressure.
Relative Humidity
The ratio of the amount of vapor contained in the air to the greatest amount the air could hold at that temperature. Normally expressed as a percentage.
Reversing Valve
A valve that changes the direction of refrigerant flow in a heat pump.
Roof Top Unit
A heating and/or cooling unit that conditions a structure; it is mounted on the roof after adequate reinforcement has been built into the roof.
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)
The total cooling of an air conditioner or heat pump in BTUs during its normal annual usage period for cooling divided by the total electrical energy input in watt-hours during the same period.
Short-cycling
A condition in which a compressor or furnace is restarted immediately after it has been turned off.
Split System
A refrigeration or air conditioning system in which the condenser and evaporator are in separate locations, joined by refrigerant piping.
Thermostat
A device that connects or disconnects a circuit in response to a change in the ambient temperature.
Ton
The basic large unit for measuring the rate of heat transfer (12,000 BTUH).
UL
Underwriters' Laboratories
Vacuum Pump
A pump used to remove air and moisture from a refrigeration system at a pressure below atmospheric pressure.
Ventilation
The process of supplying or removing air, by natural or mechanical means, to or from any space. Such air may or may not have been conditioned.
Zoning
The practice of providing independent heating and/or cooing to different areas in a structure.
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