We know you’re not an HVAC expert, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few important pieces of terminology that you should know. There are hundreds of terms that HVAC professionals use, but we’ve picked a couple of terms that may help you when speaking to an Advance Mechanical HVAC technician.
HVAC – heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
ACH (Air Changes per Hour) – the number of times a room is supplied air in one hour
Coil – the piece of equipment that implements heat transfer to the air; it’s heated or cooled with either electricity, circulating liquid, or circulating steam into it
Ductwork – special pipes or channels used to direct airflow within a space
Heat Pump – a compressor that cycles hot and cold air and is designed to move thermal energy in the opposite direction of the way heat flows by absorbing the heat from a cooler space
OAT (Outside Air Temperature) – the measure of the air temperature on the outside of a building
Packaged Unit or RTU (Rooftop Unit) – an air unit that is made for outdoor installation
Refrigerant – the substance that produces the cooling effect used in most air conditioning and cooling systems
Subcooling – where liquid refrigerant is colder than the minimum temperature required to keep it from boiling
Thermostat – a device used to control the temperature of your home and monitors your heating and cooling system
SEER – SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it’s what’s used to measure cooling.
HSPF – HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, and it’s what’s used to measure heating.
To learn more about SEER, HSPF, and how the new government energy requirements will affect the measurements, read our blog: New Government Efficiency Standards
If you’re having trouble with your HVAC unit or just have questions, contact the certified and licensed professionals at Advance Mechanical today! At Advance Mechanical, your comfort is our top priority, and we’re happy to help in any way we can. Call today at 252-355-9191 or visit advancemechnc.com to schedule an appointment or talk to a technician.