Glossary of HVAC Terms | Know the Basics

Glossary of Terms

Heating Venting and Air Conditioning(HVAC)

Image	Term : Definition
	Air Conditioner Device used to lower air temperature. Cooling typically happens through heat transfer with refrigerant cycle.
	Air Handler/Electric Furnace Metal box containing blower, heating elements and system controls. Normally attached to duct work which distributes conditioned air throughout a building.
	BTU (British Thermal Unit) Measurement of energy(heat) required to raise a temperature. In the U.S., BTU is used for the rating power of HVAC systems.
	Coil Equipment that performs a heat transfer as air blows over the unit.
	Damper An adjustable blade inside duct to control air flow.
	Dehumidifier Equipment used to extract and remove humidity from air. Drops air temperature to turn water vapor to liquid. Dehumidification naturally occurs during air conditioning.
	Duct Method of transferring air from one area to another. Used in heating, cooling or ventilation.
	Fresh Air Outside air that is introduced inside a building to help cycle new air.
	Filter Removable device that is placed in the air intake portion of the system. It provides protection for the motor, fan, and heating coil by removing impurities. It also contributes to the Indoor Air Quality of a building.
	Furnace Similar to an air handler. Metal box containing burners, heat exchanger, blower and controls. Fuel can be Natural Gas, Propane, or Oil.
	Grille A covering over a duct opening that has slots in it to deliver(supply) or recover(return) air. The grille directs air and prevents entry of larger objects.
	Heat Exchanger Portion of a combustible furnace(Gas or Oil) that transfers heat to be expelled by the unit.
	Heat Pump Outdoor unit that has a compressor to cycle hot and cold refrigerant. Transfers heat from one area to a cooler area.
	HSPF Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. Used to measure the heating efficiency of air source heat pumps. Higher the number, the more efficient the unit.
	Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Term used to refer to air quality inside a building or structure. It commonly relates to the health and comforts of the occupants inside the building.
	Packaged Unit An air handler specially designed for outdoor installation with ducts that run into a structure. They normally contain both the heating and cooling portions of the system.
	Plenum Metal boxes attached to an indoor system. Airflow is then distributed from the plenum into ductwork.
	Refrigerant A mixture that changes from a liquid to gas to transfer heat from one place to another.
	Seer Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Cooling performance rating system for Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps. Higher the rating, the more efficient the system.
	Split System Combination of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. Most common type of system.
	System General term referring to a unit that performs a specific HVAC function.
	Thermostat Monitor and regulator of a heating and cooling system. Used to set a desired temperature.
	Thermostatic Expansion Valve(TXV or TEV) A piece of equipment that meters the flow of liquid refrigerant entering an evaporator while measuring the vapor refrigerant leaving the evaporator.
	Two-Stage System designed to operate on a high and low setting during different demands placed upon the system.
	Zoning Created section of a building or space that are controlled independently of each other. Different sections then can have own desired temperature using independent thermostats.

Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms

Air Conditioner

Air Handler/Electric Furnace

BTU (British Thermal Unit)

Coil

Damper

Dehumidifier

Duct

Fresh Air

Filter

Furnace

Grille

Heat Exchanger

Heat Pump

HSPF

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Packaged Unit

Plenum

Refrigerant

Seer

Split System

System

Thermostat

Thermostatic Expansion Valve(TXV or TEV)

Two-Stage

Zoning