In order to select the right HVAC system for your home, locate the best professionals to service your system and recognize when your unit may need repairs, it’s important to understand a few basic HVAC terms. Consider the following HVAC terms to gain a better appreciation of your system needs:
ACCA – (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) This is the largest trade association for heating and cooling system contractors in the US.
BTU – (British Thermal Unit – sometimes written Btu) A heating and cooling measurement. One BTU is the total amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree.
CFC – (Chlorofluorocarbons) Refrigerant chemical that is being phased out due to an international environmental protection agreement. This chemical is harmful to the environment and often linked to the weakening of the ozone layer.
COP – (Coefficient of performance) Efficiency measurement found by comparing the amount of heat conveyed to the amount of energy used. The higher the ratio, the more energy efficient the system.
ERV – (Energy Recovery Ventilator) System that pulls in fresh air while expelling stale air from the home.
HRV – (Heat Recovery Venilator) System that preheats fresh air as it pulls it into your home. This helps to reduce your power bills.
HCFC – (Hydrofluorocarbon) Refrigerant chemical currently used in most cooling and heat pump systems that has little to no known impact on the ozone layer but that increasingly is being blamed for contributing to climate change.
HSPF – (Heating seasonal performance factor) Efficiency rating for HVAC equipment. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient the system.
IAQ – Indoor Air Quality.
NATE – (North American Technician Excellence) Non-profit testing and certification organization for HVACR specialists.
SEER – (Seasonal energy efficiency ratio) – Measurement of the amount of energy needed to cool the air. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient the system.
For more information about HVAC terms, or help with home comfort issue, please contact us at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning.We provide quality cooling and heating services to the Fresno area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC terms and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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