TERMS OF AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING SYSTEMS

AFUE
Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency is a measure of your furnace's heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more efficient the furnace. The minimum percentage established by the DOE for furnaces is 78.

Btu
A British thermal unit is a unit of heat energy. One Btu is the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The higher the Btu rating, the greater the heating capacity of the system.

Compressor
The part of the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps refrigerant to meet household cooling.

Condenser Coil
The outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heat pump that either releases or collects heat, depending on the time of the year.

EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency develops and enforces federal environmental regulations. The EPA oversees the nationwide Energy Star® program.

Evaporator Coil
The part of the air conditioner or heat pump that is located inside the air handler. Its primary function is to absorb the heat fromthe air in your house.

Heat Exchanger
Located in the furnace, the heat exchanger transfers heat to the surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout the home.

Heat Pump
A heat pump is an HVAC unit that heats or cools by moving heat. During the winter, a heat pump draws heat from outdoor air and circulates it through your home's air ducts. In the summer, it reverses the process and removes heat from your house and releases it outdoors.

HSPF
The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is the heating efficiency rating for heat pumps. The higher the rating, the more efficientthe heat pump. There is no legislated minimum HSPF rating.

HVAC
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

MERV Rating
The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of a filter describes the size of the holes in the filter that allow air to pass through. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the holes in the filter, the higher the efficiency.

Particles
Any substances measuring less than 100 microns in diameter. The EPA has found that small particles (less than 2.5 microns) are responsible for the health effects of greatest concern.

R410A Refrigerant
A chlorine-free refrigerant that meets the EPA's newest, most stringent environmentalguidelines.

SEER
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is an energy efficiency rating for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the better the energy performance, the more you save.

Ton
Unit of measurement for determining cooling capacity. One ton equals 12,000 Btuh.