Text Box: AFUE - Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, A measure of a gas furnace’s efficiency in converting fuel to energy , the higher the rating, the more efficient the unit. For example; A rating of 90 means that approximately 90% of the fuel is used to provide warmth to your home, while the remaining 10 percent escapes as exhaust. BTU - British Thermal Unit. This is the amount of heat it takes to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. For your home, it represents the measure of heat given off when fuel is burned for heating or the measure of heat extracted from your home for cooling. CFM - Cubic Feet Per Minute. A standard measurement of airflow. A typical system requires 400CFM per ton of air. Capacity - The output or producing ability of a piece of cooling or heating equipment. Cooling and heating capacities are referred to in BTUs. Compressor - The heart of an air conditioning or heat pump system. It is part of the outdoor unit and pumps refrigerant in order to meet the cooling requirements of the system. Condenser Coil or Outdoor Coil - In an air conditioner, the coil dissipates heat from the refrigerant, changing the refrigerant from vapor to liquid. In a heat pump system, it absorbs heat from the outdoors. Damper - Found in ductwork, this movable plate opens and closes to control airflow. dampers can be used to balance airflow in a duct system. They are also used in zoning to regulate airflow to certain rooms. Ductwork - Pipes or channels that carry air throughout your home. In a home comfort system, ductwork is critical to performance in fact, it is as critical as the equipment. Evaporator Coil or Indoor Coil - The other half of your air conditioning system located inside your home in the indoor unit. This is where the refrigerant evaporated as it absorbs heat from the air that passes over the coil. Gas Furnace Heat Exchanger - Located in the furnace, the heat exchanger transfers heat to the surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout your home. HSPF - Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This rating is used in measuring the heating efficiency of a heat pump. The higher the number the more efficient the unit. Package Unit - A heating and cooling system contained in one outdoor unit. A package unit is typically installed either beside, on top of the home, or sometimes in the attic. Refrigerant - A chemical that produces a refrigerating effect while expanding and vaporizing. Most residential air conditioning systems contain R 22, However, R-22 will no longer be produced after 2010. Most new residential systems are utilizing R-410a, an environmentally friendly refrigerant which uses no chlorine. Refrigerant is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. A measure of cooling efficiency for air conditioners and heat pumps. The higher the SEER, the higher the efficiency of the unit. The governments minimum SEER for residential applications is now 13. Split System - The combination of an outdoor unit (air conditioner or heat pump) with a indoor unit (furnace or air handler). Split systems must have equipment matched for optimum efficiency and for warranty requirements. Thermostat - A thermostat consist of a series of sensors and relays that monitor and control the functions of a heating and cooling system. Ton - A unit of measure used for determining cooling capacity. One ton is the equivalent of 12,000 BTU’s per hour. Zoning - A method of dividing a home into different comfort zones so each zone can be independently controlled depending on use and need. Text Box:

BEEBE

Heating & Air Conditioning. Inc.

913   541 1222

Glossary of Terms