The 9 HVAC Items Every Homeowner Should Know
It’s to your advantage to be aware of the nine HVAC terms every homeowner should know. Whether you are shopping for a new system or just having your HVAC serviced, these will help you communicate more effectively with your technician. Knowing the nine HVAC terms every homeowner should know will help you make informed decisions covering this major investment in your home.
Depending on the type of system you are purchasing, you may see the following terms on the yellow EnergyGuide label:
- BTU– British Thermal Unit, which is a measurement of the amount of heating capacity a unit is capable of
- HSPF– you may see this acronym for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor on the label for a heat pump telling how fuel efficient the unit is
- SEER– the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a percentage that reflects how much energy is used to cool the air
- Load Calculation– this determines how much cooling and heating is needed in your home to keep it comfortable and safe for your family
- ACCA– stands for Air Conditioning Contractors of America, which is a nationally recognized trade association for heating and cooling contractors
- Manual J– this is the accepted ACCA method for load calculation and is used by most contractors to determine the size of the furnace or air conditioner that’s needed to heat or cool your home in the most efficient manner
- Air Handler– this component usually contains your air conditioner’s evaporator coil and may contain a heating element for your heater
- Coil– this component is a network of tubing and pipes that circulate fluid that cools or warms the air as it passes over it
- Condenser– this is an outside component for air conditioners and some heaters, where cool or warm air from indoors is dissipated
LHT Cooling, Heating and Refrigeration, Inc. can take the mystery out of the many HVAC terms you encounter. Our goal is to help educate you about energy and home comfort and the nine HVAC terms every homeowner needs to know.