Welcome to our HVAC PRO ZONE Glossary.
Here you will find a collection of essential terms and acronyms related to Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems to help you better understand and navigate the world of HVAC.
AC: Air Conditioning
AHU: Air Handling Unit
AFUE: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
Air Handler: Circulates and conditions air in HVAC systems.
Balance Point: Outdoor temperature at which a heat pump’s output equals its heat loss.
Bioaerosols: Airborne particles of living organisms.
BTU: British Thermal Unit
Coil: Transfers heat between the indoor and outdoor units.
Compressor: Device that compresses refrigerant to remove heat from the air.
COP: Coefficient of Performance
Damper: Controls airflow in ducts.
Dehumidifier: Reduces humidity in the air.
Ductwork: System of ducts used to distribute conditioned air.
Economizer: Allows outdoor air to cool a building’s interior when conditions are favorable.
EER: Energy Efficiency Ratio
ERV: Energy Recovery Ventilator
Evaporator: Part of an AC unit that absorbs heat and turns refrigerant into a gas.
Flue: Exhaust pathway for combustion gases.
Freon: Trademarked name for refrigerants.
Furnace: Device that produces heat for a building.
Heat Exchanger: Transfers heat between two fluids.
Heat Pump: HVAC system that can both heat and cool a space.
HSPF: Heating Seasonal Performance Factor
Humidistat: Measures and controls humidity levels.
HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
IAQ: Indoor Air Quality
Infiltration: Uncontrolled outdoor air leaking into a building.
Inverter: Device that controls the speed of a compressor motor.
Manual J: Method for calculating heating and cooling loads.
MERV: Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value
MERV Rating: Indicates the effectiveness of an air filter.
NATE: North American Technician Excellence
NEMA: National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Package System: Single HVAC unit with all components self-contained.
Package Unit: Single HVAC unit that houses all components.
Refrigerant: Substance used for heat transfer in cooling systems.
R-Value: Measures insulation’s resistance to heat flow.
SEER: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
SEER Rating: Measures AC and heat pump efficiency.
Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV): Regulates refrigerant flow in cooling systems.
Thermostat: Controls the temperature of an HVAC system.
Thermocouple: Safety device detecting pilot light presence in gas systems.
UV-C: Ultraviolet-C light for air disinfection.
UVGI: Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation
VRF: Variable Refrigerant Flow
Zoned Heating and Cooling: Ability to adjust temperatures in different areas independently.
Zone Control: Ability to control temperature in different areas independently.
Zoning System: Divides a building into different heating and cooling zones.
We hope this glossary enhances your understanding of HVAC terminology and aids you in making informed decisions about your HVAC systems.