HEATING and COOLING GLOSSARY

 

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ACCA

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America - a U.S. trade association that represents heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors.

 

Activated carbon

Granular processed carbon, commonly used in air filter media to clean the air.

 

Active cooling

The use of compressor equipment to cool and dehumidify the air.

 

Advance Reciprocating Compressor

Type of compressor that uses a more efficient process for compressing refrigerant for better cooling efficiency.

 

AFUE

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Indicated as a percentage, your furnace's AFUE tells you how much energy is being converted to heat. For example, an AFUE of 90 means that 90% of the fuel is being used to warm your home, while the other 10% escapes as exhaust with the combustion gases.

 

Air balancing

Making adjustments in an air conditioning and heating system to deliver the correct amount of air flow to each room.

 

Air conditioner

Equipment used to control indoor air temperature, relative humidity, purity, and movement.

 

Air conditioning

Making indoor air more comfortable by transferring heat and humidity to the outside air.

 

Air filter

In heating and air conditioning, the media, element, or device used to remove unwanted particles, vapors, or odors from indoor air. Air filters serve two functions: to protect the equipment from damage and improve indoor air quality for people.

 

Air Handler

The portion of your air conditioner or heating system that forces air through your home's ductwork.

 

Air infiltration

The unwanted entry of air into a building. This air enters through gaps and cracks commonly found around plumbing, electrical outlets, and around windows and doors. Infiltration can be intensified by atmospheric conditions such as differences in temperature or high winds.

 

Air source

The use of ambient air as the heat source or heat sink with heat pumps.

 

Air vent

A general term that describes the port where air enters (or exits) a duct, room or area. Since warm or cool air exists from them, the supply air vents that serve a room are the points most often described by the term. Also see “vent”.

 

Air-cooled

Using a fan to move heat away from the condenser coil to the outside air.

 

Air-cooled Condenser

A heat exchanger that transfers heat into the surrounding air.

 

Ambient temperature

The temperature of the air surrounding HVAC equipment.

 

ARI

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute - a non-profit organization of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration manufacturers. They test and rate heat pumps and air conditioners and publish standards.

 

ASHRAE

American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, professional organization for HVAC that publishes standards in the areas of HVAC and refrigeration.

 

BTU

British Thermal Unit. Used for both heating and cooling, BTU is a measure of the heat given off when fuel is combusted. Or for cooling, it's a measure of heat extracted from your home. (One BTU is approximately equal to the heat given off by a wooden kitchen match.)

 

BTUh

British Thermal Units per hour - one ton of cooling capacity equals 12,000 BTUh.

 

BTUS

A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the unit of heat required to raise 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. BTUH is British Thermal Units per Hour.

 

Capacity

The ability of a heating or cooling system to heat or cool a given amount of space. For heating, this is usually expressed in BTUs. For cooling, it is usually given in tons.

 

Carbon monoxide (CO)

a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas produced when carbon-containing fuels are burned. When a furnace becomes worn or is not properly maintained, CO can enter indoor space.

 

Central air conditioning system

a system in which indoor air is cooled and dehumidified at a central location. The air is delivered to and from the rooms by an air handler and a system of ductwork. Contrast with “window air conditioner” and “ductless air conditioners”.

 

Centrifugal Compressor

a type of compressor that employs centrifugal force to supply its compression. They often use a rotating disk or an impeller in a shaped housing to provide pumping action.

 

CFC

abbreviation for chlorofluorocarbons -- these are used as the refrigerant in air conditioning systems and heat pumps. They have been linked to the depletion of the ozone layer of the atmosphere.

 

CFM

Stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. A measurement of airflow that indicates how many cubic feet of air pass by a stationary point in one minute. The higher the number, the more air is being forced through the system.

 

Chlorofluorocarbons

refer to “CFC”, and also HCFC.

 

Coefficient of performance

an efficiency ratio that expresses the capacity of a system divided by electrical energy consumed or compares the amount of heat delivered to the amount of energy used. A higher the score means the equipment is more efficient. This ratio is used to rate heat pumps.

 

Coil

a general name for part of a heating or cooling system. A coil unit is made of tubing or pipe, and often has fins for cooling.

 

ComfortHeat

Carrier's exclusive ComfortHeat technology accurately predicts the need for heating while cutting temperature swings in half.

 

ComfortHeat Pump System

ComfortHeat Pump System is Carrier's exclusive heat pump system that provides significantly warmer supply air from the registers for enhanced occupant comfort.

 

Compressor

a pump in an air conditioning system that moves refrigerant from the evaporator coils indoors to the outdoor condenser and back again in a closed system. The compressor is like the heart of the system because it circulates the refrigerant throughout the loop. Compressors come in many designs, which are described below.

 

Condensate Safety Pan

A pan that is installed under a horizontal coil to catch condensate overflow.

 

Condenser

the part of an air conditioning system that transfers unwanted heat to a medium that absorbs the heat and dissipates it. Here, the refrigerant is condensed from a vapor to liquid. The medium can be air, water, or a combination of the two. Most residential HVAC systems use air-cooled condensers.

 

Condenser Coil

a network of tubes outdoors filled with refrigerant that remove heat from the heated gas refrigerant and convert the refrigerant into a liquid form again. The excess heat escapes into the outside air.

 

Condenser fan

the fan in the outside unit that circulates air over the air-cooled condenser to change the refrigerant vapor into a liquid.

 

Condensing temperature

the temperature at which a gas or vapor will condenses into liquid.

 

Cooling capacity

the ability of a unit to remove heat from an enclosed space. Also see “capacity”.

 

Cooling coil

refer to “evaporator coil

COP

Coefficient of Performance -- refer to it above.

 

Damper

A type of "valve" used in duct work that opens or closes to control airflow. Used in zoning to control the amount of warm or cool air entering certain areas of your home.

 

DB

Decibels (dB) are a unit measuring the intensity of noise.

 

Decibel

abbreviation db, this term describes the relative loudness of sound. Refer to “sound rating number” as it applies to air conditioning equipment.

 

Degree-day

a measure of departure from the mean daily temperature. The number of degrees that the mean temperature for that day is below 65° F.

 

Dehumidifier

a device used to remove moisture from indoor air.

 

Dehumidify

to remove moisture from indoor air. Air conditioning helps to dehumidify the air, and it can be done separately with a dehumidifier.

 

DOE

Department of Energy. The U.S. federal agency that sets HVAC industry
efficiency standards and monitors the use of energy sources.

 

Downflow

A type of furnace that takes cool air from the top and blows warm air to the bottom-commonly used where furnaces must be located in a second-floor closet or utility area.

 

Drip pan

the tray or pan used to collect water as it condenses from the evaporator. The pan should have a properly working cutoff switch to stop the system and prevent overflow in case the drain lines clog up. This helps prevent damage to ceilings or indoor areas below the pan.

 

Duct

in air conditioning and heating systems, the conduits that carry cooled, warmed, or ventilated air from the air conditioning system or furnace to the rooms and back. These come in many varieties, including flexible, sheet metal and more.

 

Ductless air conditioning

an air conditioning unit with no ductwork. These are often seen in motels and in one-room applications such as a garage apartment or loft.

 

Ductless heat pump

a package heat pump unit that heats (or cools) directly into the room without ducts. These are often used for single rooms or in situations where running ductwork is not feasible.

Ductwork

the system of ducts in a building that deliver air to and from the air conditioning and heating system to the rooms and back.

 

EER

Energy Efficiency Ratio -- the ratio of cooling capacity of an air conditioning unit (in British thermal units per hour) to the total electrical input (in watts) under specified test conditions. A Higher EER rating means the equipment is more efficient. Compare with SEER.

 

Effective temperature

the overall or net effect on a person of the air temperature, the relative humidity, and movement of air.

 

Efficiency

a general term used to describe the ratio of output of a device, appliance, system or activity, to the input necessary to create that output. Refer to “SEER”, and “HSPF” for a more specific definition.

 

Electric heating

heating that relies on electric resistance heaters. An example of electric heating is a central heater that uses “stirip heating” for its heat source.

 

Electronic Air Cleaner (EAC)

An electronic device that filters out large particles and contaminants in indoor air. It then electronically pulls out tiny particles that have been magnetized, such as viruses and bacteria, drawing them to a collector plate.

 

Electrostatic filter

a filter device for cleaning or purifying of air that employs electricity to charge plates and attract dust particles.

 

Energy audit

an assessment to measure the current energy consumption for a house, building, or indoor area. Energy audits are commonly used to make informed decisions in the “whole house” approach to air conditioning and heating.

 

Energy Saver Switch

An energy-saver switch causes the air conditioner's fan and compressor to cycle on and off together, reducing energy use.

 

Energy Star®

a government sponsored brand used to identify energy efficient appliances or products. The trademark was developed by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 

Envelope

in air conditioning and heating, a term used to describe the condition of the parts of a home or building that interact with outside air. Examples are insulation, windows, doors, walls, roof, vents, etc. The “whole house” approach considers the HVAC equipment and the condition of the envelope to make informed decisions about A/C and heating and energy usage.

 

ERV

Energy Recovery Ventilator -- this is a device that provides ventilation by pulling fresh air indoors and sending stale air out as exhaust. ERVs pre-heat or pre-cool incoming fresh air to help conserve energy required for heating and air conditioning. Also refer to HRS and HRV below.

 

Evaporator Coil

Part of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump located indoors. The evaporator coil cools and dehumidifies the air by converting liquid refrigerant into a gas (or vice-versa). A blower moter, typically in a furnace, then moves air over the coil to either heat or cool your home.

 

Fan Coil

An indoor component of an air conditioner or heat pump system, used in place of a furnace and evaporator coil, to provide change the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid (or vice-versa) and blow air over the coil to cool or heat your home.

 

Field matching

a term used to describe the addition of new components to older equipment in an air conditioning and heating system. Although many pieces of equipment can physically be made to function, proper matching is critical for these components to meet their design specifications for heating, cooling, comfort and efficiency. Contrast with “matched system” below.

 

Filter

a shortened term for “air filter”. Refer to “air filter” above for HVAC specifics. Otherwise, a general term used to describe the removal of particles from a gas or liquid by straining.

 

Flexible duct

a type of air duct material, often continuous, that is easy to route around obstacles in attics, etc, by bending it gently.

 

Flue

a pipe that vents combustion gases to the outside air, usually through convection.

 

Forced air

a term to describe a system for heating, air conditioning, ventilation (or a combination of these) that uses a fan or blower to move or “force” air through the system and into the intended rooms.

 

Freon

a brand name of refrigerant manufactured by the Dupont Company.

 

Furnace

a self-contained heating unit designed to deliver heated air to a home or building.

 

GAMA

Gas Appliance Manufacturing Association -- this U.S. trade association serves the interests of manufacturers of gas, oil, and electric appliances and equipment, components and related products used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

 

Ground source heat pump (GHP)

a type of heat pump that uses the stored energy in the soil. These systems use the relatively constant temperature of soil to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for homes and buildings.

 

HCFC

abbreviation for hydrochlorofluorocarbons -- these compounds are used as refrigerants in air conditioners and heat pumps. HCFCs are believed to contribute to depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Contrast HFC below.

 

Heat exchanger

this term has two meanings: 1. A major part of a furnace that transfers heat created in the fuel combustion area to the surrounding air that is pumped into the rooms. This component can develop rust holes or other leaks and problems. To prevent carbon monoxide gas from entering the living areas and for other reasons, the heat exchanger and heating system should be professionally checked regularly. 2. A condenser or evaporator device in which heat is added or extracted to heat or cool indoor space.

 

Heat gain

the heat that enters conditioned space by infiltration from outside air, solar radiation, human respiration, lighting devices, etc. Cross reference “envelope”.

 

Heat loss

the rate of heat transfer from a heated space to the outdoors. Contrast with “heat gain” and cross-reference “envelope”.

 

Heat Pump

A product that works just like an air conditioner in cooling mode; however, in heating mode, the refrigerant flow is reversed and heat is extrated from the outside air too heat your home.

 

Heat recovery system (HRS)

a system that uses exhaust air to preheat the supply air when the outside air is cooler than the inside air. When the outside air is warmer than the inside air, the exhaust air cools the supply air.

 

Heat recovery ventilator (HRV)

a device that brings fresh air into a home or building while recovering heat from the exhaust. This preheats the air and saving on utility bills.

 

Heat transfer

the movement of heat energy from one place to another. Types of heat transfer are through convection, conduction and radiation. Cross reference “envelope” and “whole house”.

 

Heating coil

a general term for a coil device that serves as a heat source. . A coil unit is made of tubing or pipe.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)

control of the indoor environment (temperature, humidity, air flow, and air filtering) of a building. In commercial buildings, this can include data center components such as computing hardware, cabling, data storage, fire protection, physical security systems, and power.

 

HFC

abbreviation for hydroflorocarbon , these are compounds used as a refrigerant in air conditioners and heat pumps. These are believed to have little to no effect on the ozone layer.

 

Horizontal Flow

A type of furnace, installed on its "side", that draws in air from one side, heats it and sends the warm air out the other side. Most often used for installations in attics or crawl spaces.

 

HSPF

The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is a measure of the heating efficiency of a heat pump. The higher the HSPF number, the more efficiently the heat pump heats your home.

 

Humidifier

A piece of equipment that adds water vapor to heated air as it moves out of the furnace. This adds necessary moisture to protect your furnishings and reduce static electricity.

 

Humidistat

a type of indoor comfort control device that senses humidity and cycles a humidifier on and off.

 

Humidity

refer to “relative humidity”.

 

HVAC

Abbreviation for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. This is a general term used to describe, equipment, processes, people and more in this industry.

 

HVAC Excellence

a not for profit organization, created in 1994 to improve the future and current technical workforce’s competency through quality education.

 

Hybrid Heat

Hybrid Heat systems deliver exceptional performance by using a heating source that provides the most energy-efficient comfort during moderate heating conditions.

 

IAQ

Indoor Air Quality

 

IdealDefrost

IdealDefrost is Carrier's proprietary defrost management innovation for maintaining the ideal defrost interval for a heat pump, enhancing comfort and efficiency.

 

IdealHumidity

IdealHumidity™ is Carrier's proprietary humidity management innovation for maintaining the ideal comfort in a home.

 

Indoor air quality (IAQ)

an overall measure, from the human point of view, of temperature, humidity, chemical pollutants, biological contaminants, movement and sensory qualities (such as fresh smell) of indoor air. As buildings are being built to “tighter” standards, IAQ has become more important as an issue. In addition to proper air conditioning, advanced air filtration and ventilation are two of the keys to better indoor air quality.

 

Indoor Coil

see Evaporator Coil

 

Infiltration

refer to “air infiltration” and cross reference “envelope”.

 

Insulation

as it applies to air conditioning and heating, any material that slows down the transfer of heat. In homes and buildings, insulation is commonly used in attics, walls, and under floors. Also used in electrical and other types of wiring.

 

Kilowatt (kW)

equal to 1,000 watts.

 

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

a common unit of electrical consumption. It is the equivalent of one kilowatt (1 kW) of power expended for one hour (1 h).

 

Load

the required rate of heat removal.

 

Load calculation

a computation of the quantity of cooling and heating (in British Thermal Units-BTUs) an air conditioning and heating system must produce for indoor comfort. The load is influenced by many factors: climate, square footage of conditioned area, orientation and layout of the building, number of human occupants, room count and dimensions, window and door count and characteristics, insulation quantity and quality, and more.

 

Load Estimate

A series of studies performed to determine the heating or cooling requirements of your home. An energy load analysis uses information such as the square footage of your home, window or door areas, insulation quality and local climate to determine the heating and cooling capacity needed by your furnace, heat pump or air conditioner. When referring to heating, this is often known as a Heat Loss Analysis, since a home's heating requirements are determined by the amount of heat lost through the roof, entry ways and walls.

 

Low Boy

Low Boy is a type of furnace configuration in which the furnace is lower in height and occupies more floor space.

 

Manual D®

a trademark of the American Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). This publication covers the proper design, installation, maintenance, and repair of ductwork.

 

Manual J®

a trademarked publication of the American Air Conditioning Contractors of America. This ACCA procedure covers the method for calculating heating and cooling requirements (load calculation) for single-family detached homes and mobile homes.

 

Manual RS®

a trademarked ACCA publication covering the design, installation, and commissioning of a residential HVAC system.

 

Matched System

A heating and cooling system comprised of products that have been certified to perform at promised comfort and efficiency levels when used together, and used according to design and engineering specifications.

 

Media

as used in air conditioning and heating, the material in an air filter that traps and holds the impurities until it is cleaned or replaced.

 

MERV

The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value is the standard comparison of the efficiency of an air filter. The MERV scale ranges from 1 (least efficient) to 16 (most efficient), and measures a filter's ability remove particles from 3 to 10 microns in size.

 

Mold

as it applies in air conditioning and heating, mold is an undesirable growth within, on, or around HVAC equipment, usually associated with improper moisture or indoor humidity levels. Molds are undesirable because they can cause or increase health problems and odors. The spores of mold can become airborne. Overall the growth of mold can be retarded by proper equipment installation and maintenance. Mold spore growth can be discouraged by keeping proper indoor humidity levels.

 

NATE

North American Technician Excellence - this is the nonprofit organization that tests and certifies technicians in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.

 

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer- generally used in contrast with aftermarket, or equipment produced by someone other than the original.

 

Operating Cost

The day-to-day cost of running your home comfort equipment, based on energy use.

 

Outdoor Coil

see Condenser Coil

 

Package heat pump

a refrigeration system that has all its components in one cabinet. Contrast with “split system”.

 

Payback Analysis

Overall measure of the efficiency and value of your home comfort system. By combining your purchase price and ongoing operating costs, a payback analysis determines the number of years required before monthly energy savings offset the purchase price.

 

Payback period

number of months or years required for the operating savings from a new air conditioning and heating system to offset its purchase price.

 

PMA

Planned Maintenance Agreement , these are agreements offered by HVAC contractors that set a certain number of maintenance visits per year, usually for a discounted fee. They are known by a variety of phrases, such as “maintenance inspection agreements”, “planned service agreements” and so on.

 

Programmable thermostat

an electronic control device for air conditioning and heating equipment. These are one of the least expensive improvements for increasing comfort and saving on monthly heating and cooling bills.

 

Puron Refrigerant

Puron® refrigerant is an environmentally sound refrigerant designed not to harm the earth's ozone layer. Federal law requires that all manufacturers phase out ozone depleting refrigerants in the next few years. Puron refrigerant is approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a replacement from Freon 22*.

 

QuieTech

QuieTech™ is a noise reduction system that provides comfortable heat while generating very little noise in the process.

 

R-22 refrigerant

R-22 is a single component HCFC refrigerant with low ozone depletion potential. It has long been used in a variety of air-conditioning and refrigeration applications in a variety of markets. Per U.S. EPA regulations, new R-22 cannot be used in new systems effective in 2010, although service quantities of the refrigerant may be produced until 2020.

 

R-410A

the refrigerant that is replacing R-22. It contains no chlorine and is not associated with ozone depletion.

 

R-factor

a rating of insulating or thermal resistance value. The ability to slow heat flow rather than to transmit it. A higher "R", number means better insulating value.

 

Radiant barrier

a layer of thin material, usually made of metallic foil, that reflects heat in a specific direction. Among their many uses, these are used inside attics and in roofing materials to reduce heat gain or heat loss. Cross reference “envelope” and “whole house approach”.

 

Radiant floor heating

the use of embedded tubing within concrete floors through which hot water is pumped for heating the floor and space around it.

 

Reciprocating Compressor

A type of compressor used in air conditioners that compresses refrigerant by using a type of "piston" action.

 

Reciprocating Compressor

a type of compressor that uses a piston cylinder mechanism to provide its pumping action.

 

Reclaiming

Returning used refrigerant to the manufacturer for disposal or reuse.

 

Recycling

Removing, cleaning and reusing refrigerant.

 

Refrigerant

a fluid with physical ability to absorb heat at low temperatures and release heat at higher temperatures.

 

Refrigerant charge

as a noun, the amount of refrigerant required to be in an air conditioning or refrigeration system. Used as a verb, the process of adding or “charging the refrigerant”. Keeping the correct amount and type of refrigerant is critical for peak operating performance.

 

Refrigerant Lines

Two copper lines that connect the Condenser (Outdoor) Coil to the Evaporator (Indoor) Coil.

 

Relative humidity

the amount of moisture in the air compared to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at that temperature, expressed as a percentage.

 

Return side

the path of air as it goes to the air-handler or furnace so it can be cooled or heated. The Return side should be “balanced” with the supply side to achieve optimum airflow and comfort. Sometimes described as “return”, or “return air”. Contrast with “supply side” below.

 

Reversing heat pump

a type of heat pump in which the condenser and evaporator coils exchange roles when the direction of the flow of refrigerant in the machine changes.

 

Rotary Screw Compressor

a type of compressor that employs two meshed rotating positive-displacement helical screws to force the gas to move. These are often used for commercial and industrial applications

 

Scroll Compressor

a compressor that uses two spiral-shaped scrolls to pump or compress liquids and gases. One scroll is fixed, while the other moves in an eccentric way without rotating. This traps and compresses pockets of fluid or gas between the scrolls. These are also called a “scroll pump” or a “scroll vacuum pump”,

 

SEER

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power.

 

Self-contained system

a refrigerating system that can be moved without disconnecting any refrigerant lines. Also called a “package unit” or “single package”.

 

Serpentuff

Carrier's exclusive Serpentuff™ Heat Exchanger features a patented polypropylene laminate, so that it extracts nearly all of the heat from the system and makes the most of the energy used.

 

Setback Thermostat

A state-of-the-art electronic thermostat with a built-in memory that can be programmed for different temperature settings at different times of the day.

 

Sick building syndrome

a combination of problems and complaints about indoor building environments and related human health issues. The syndrome has become more common since buildings are built to “tighter” standards for energy efficiency. In addition to proper air conditioning and heating, advanced air filtration and ventilation are two of the keys to better indoor air. Refer to “Indoor air quality” above.

 

Silencer System

Carrier Silencer System II ensures quiet operation inside and out. Our systems meet or exceed local and industry sound standards with quiet motor mounts, a compressor sound blanket, forward swept fan blades, a laminated sound elimination compressor mounting plate and a a unique top with integrated silencer airflow baffle.

 

Single Package Product

One outdoor unit that contains both a heating and a cooling system.

 

SmartRecovery

Smart Recovery starts the system in advance to be sure that each zone reaches your selected temperature setting at the scheduled time.

 

Sound rating number (SRN)

a unit of sound based on ARI standard tests for air conditioners and heat pumps. SRN is measured in bels (one bel equals 10 decibels). A lower rating means quieter equipment. Most air conditioners operate at 8 to 9 bels. The quietest units are rated to operate at 6.8 bels. A small difference in numerical rating translates into a large sound difference.

 

Source temperature

the temperature of the medium from which a refrigeration system extracts its heat.

 

Split System

Refers to an air conditioner or heat pump that has components in two locations. Usually, one part of the system is located inside (evaporator coil) and the other is located outside your home (condenser coil).

 

Supply side

the part of an air conditioning and heating system that moves the conditioned air from the air handler or furnace to the rooms. The supply side should be balanced with the return side for optimum performance. Refer to “return side” above.

 

Thermidistat

The Thermidistat™ Control monitors temperatures both inside and outside, as well as indoor humidity and adjusts system operation to maintain the temperature and humidity levels set by the homeowner.

Thermostatic Expansion Valve

A thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) is precision device used to meter the flow of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator at a rate that matches the amount of refrigerant being boiled off in the evaporator.

 

Ton

the unit of measurement for capacity of air conditioning systems. One ton of air conditioning removes 12,000 BTUs of heat per hour. See also BTU and BTHh above.

 

Total Home Comfort System

The ultimate solution to providing you with consistent, customized home comfort, despite the ever-changing weather.

 

TrueSense Dirty Filter Detection

TrueSense™ dirty filter detection reminds you when it's time to change your media filter.

 

Two Stage Compressor

Two Stage Compressors are capable of two levels of operation, a low stage and a high stage. Properly sized equipment will operate 80% of the time in low stage, enhancing efficiency and comfort with lower humidity levels and quieter operation. It's like getting two air conditioners or heat pumps in one system.

 

UL

UL is an objective, non-profit organization that tests and rates electrical products for public safety.

 

Upflow

A type of furnace that draws cool air from the bottom and blows the warmed air out the top into the duct work. This type of furnace is usually installed in a basement or an out-of-the-way closet.

 

Variable-speed motor

in HVAC fans and blowers, a type motor that runs at a wide range of speeds rather than just one. When properly coordinated with other equipment such as the compressor and thermostat, variable speed fans circulate air at a flow that enhances temperature control, filtration, humidity control, and more, while reducing noise and energy consumption.

 

Vent

as a verb, to bring in fresh air or remove unwanted air - to ventilate. As a noun, the port where air enters or exits a duct, room, or area. Refer to “air vent”.

 

Ventilation

a mechanical system that brings in and circulates fresh air into a building. The letter “V” in the acronym “HVAC” stands for ventilation.

 

Ventilator

A ventilator captures heating or cooling energy from stale indoor air and transfers it to fresh incoming air.

 

Water-cooled Condenser

a heat exchanger that transfers heat into water.

 

WeatherArmor

WeatherArmor™ is a Carrier innovation that protects outdoor units from weather and increases durability.

 

WeatherShield

WeatherShield™ is a special coating of the outdoor condensing unit coil to resist corrosion from salt air found mainly in coastal areas.

 

Whole house approach

a system plan for of indoor climate control and comfort that considers the interaction between humans, the structure, the building orientation, climate, and other elements or components. Other considerations include appliances, insulation, lighting, space heating and cooling efficiency, water heating, and more. Also see “envelope”.

 

Window air conditioner

a type of portable package air conditioning unit that fits in the window. Cross reference “ductless air conditioner”.

 

Zoned System

a single HVAC system that can meet different heating and cooling requirements for two or more areas, called “zones”. This design increases indoor comfort and energy efficiency by controlling when and where space heating and cooling is directed. Zoning uses programmable thermostats to control equipment operating times and dampers to divert air flow to certain areas or "zones".

 

Zoning

A way to increase your home comfort and energy efficiency by controlling when and where heating and cooling occurs in a home. Programmable thermostats are used to control operating times of the equipment. Dampers are used to direct air flow to certain parts or "zones" of the home