Air Conditioning Glossary

  • HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
  • BTU – British Thermal Unit
  • SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
  • EER – Energy Efficiency Ratio
  • Ton – Unit of cooling capacity (12,000 BTU/h)
  • Compressor – Device that compresses refrigerant gas
  • Condenser – Heat exchanger that removes heat from the refrigerant
  • Evaporator – Heat exchanger that absorbs heat into the refrigerant
  • Refrigerant – Fluid used in HVAC systems for heat exchange
  • R-22, R-410A – Types of refrigerants
  • Thermostat – Device that controls temperature settings
  • Ductwork – System of ducts used for air distribution
  • Air Handler – Indoor unit that circulates air
  • Heat Pump – HVAC system that provides heating and cooling
  • Fan Coil Unit – Device that contains a fan and heating/cooling coil
  • Filter – Device that removes particles from air
  • Capacitor – Electrical component that stores energy
  • Contactor – Electrical switch used to control the compressor
  • Defrost Cycle – Process that removes ice buildup from coils
  • Circuit Breaker – Device that protects electrical circuits
  • Condensate Pump – Device that removes water from the air handler
  • Ductless Mini-Split – HVAC system without ducts
  • Zoning – System that divides a building into separate climate zones
  • Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV) – Device that regulates refrigerant flow
  • Pressure Switch – Device that monitors system pressure
  • HSPF – Heating Seasonal Performance Factor
  • MERV Rating – Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value for air filters
  • AHRI – Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
  • BTUH – British Thermal Units per Hour
  • Load Calculation – Process of determining heating/cooling needs
  • Humidifier/Dehumidifier – Devices that add or remove moisture from air
  • Ventilation – Process of exchanging indoor and outdoor air
  • Airflow – Movement of air through a system
  • Static Pressure – Resistance to airflow in ductwork
  • Thermal Insulation – Material that reduces heat transfer
  • Duct Tape – Tape used for sealing ducts
  • UV Light – Ultraviolet light used to kill germs in air handlers
  • Air Quality – Measurement of purity of indoor air
  • CO2 Sensor – Device that measures carbon dioxide levels
  • Balancing – Adjusting airflow in ducts for even distribution
  • Load Profile – Graph of energy consumption over time
  • Economizer – Device that uses outdoor air for cooling
  • Flush – Process of cleaning refrigerant lines
  • VRF – Variable Refrigerant Flow system
  • Duct Insulation – Material that reduces heat loss in ducts
  • Heat Exchanger – Device that transfers heat between fluids
  • Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) – Device that transfers heat between air streams
  • Scroll Compressor – Type of compressor with fewer moving parts
  • Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – Quality of air inside buildings
  • CO Detector – Carbon monoxide detector
  • Electrical Wiring – Wiring that powers HVAC components
  • Heat Strip – Electric heating element in air handlers
  • Thermal Energy Storage – System that stores energy for later use
  • Electrostatic Filter – Air filter that uses static electricity to capture particles
  • Smart Thermostat – Thermostat that can be controlled remotely
  • Dampers – Devices that control airflow in ducts
  • Fan – Device that circulates air
  • Fresh Air Intake – System that brings in outdoor air
  • Zone Control – System that allows different temperatures in different areas
  • Scroll Compressor – Type of compressor with fewer moving parts
  • Heat Exchanger – Device that transfers heat between fluids
  • Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) – Device that transfers heat between air streams
  • Scroll Compressor – Type of compressor with fewer moving parts
  • Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – Quality of air inside buildings
  • Scroll Compressor – Type of compressor with fewer moving parts
  • Heat Exchanger – Device that transfers heat between fluids
  • Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) – Device that transfers heat between air streams
  • Ductwork – System of ducts used for air distribution
  • Air Handler – Indoor unit that circulates air
  • Heat Pump – HVAC system that provides heating and cooling
  • Fan Coil Unit – Device that contains a fan and heating/cooling coil
  • Filter – Device that removes particles from air
  • Capacitor – Electrical component that stores energy
  • Contactor – Electrical switch used to control the compressor
  • Defrost Cycle – Process that removes ice buildup from coils
  • Circuit Breaker – Device that protects electrical circuits
  • Condensate Pump – Device that removes water from the air handler
  • Ductless Mini-Split – HVAC system without ducts
  • Zoning – System that divides a building into separate climate zones
  • Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV) – Device that regulates refrigerant flow
  • Pressure Switch – Device that monitors system pressure
  • HSPF – Heating Seasonal Performance Factor
  • MERV Rating – Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value for air filters
  • AHRI – Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
  • BTUH – British Thermal Units per Hour
  • Load Calculation – Process of determining heating/cooling needs
  • Humidifier/Dehumidifier – Devices that add or remove moisture from air
  • Ventilation – Process of exchanging indoor and outdoor air
  • Airflow – Movement of air through a system
  • Static Pressure – Resistance to airflow in ductwork
  • Thermal Insulation – Material that reduces heat transfer
  • Duct Tape – Tape used for sealing ducts
  • UV Light – Ultraviolet light used to kill germs in air handlers
  • Air Quality – Measurement of purity of indoor air
  • CO2 Sensor – Device that measures carbon dioxide levels
  • Balancing – Adjusting airflow in ducts for even distribution
  • Load Profile – Graph of energy consumption over time
  • Economizer – Device that uses outdoor air for cooling
  • Flush – Process of cleaning refrigerant lines
  • VRF – Variable Refrigerant Flow system