HVAC Terminology & Definitions

HVAC terminology can be confusing. This guide will help break down some common terms you might come across in your search for new HVAC equipment!

AFUE - AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The AFUE rating measures how efficiently a furnace converts fuel to heat.

Air Handler - The air handler, or air handling unit, circulates air. The air handler is the indoor unit and contains the components used to move the air.

Amperage - Amperage is the strength of electrical current. This is expressed in amperes.

BTU - BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and is the amount of heat required to warm 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. In HVAC, BTUs indicate the amount of energy used.

CFM - CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. It measures the volume of airflow.

Cooling Capacity - The cooling capacity refers to the amount of cooling that HVAC equipment can provide. In other words, it measures the system's ability to remove heat from the space.

Condenser - The condenser is the outdoor unit in an air conditioner or heat pump system. The condenser houses the components necessary to dispose of excess heat. This includes the compressor and condenser coils.

Condenser Coil - The condenser coil takes the heat energy and releases it outside. The condenser coil typically sits inside the outdoor condenser.

Evaporator Coil - The evaporator coil absorbs the heat and moisture from the air. The evaporator coil is usually found in the indoor air handler.

Heating Capacity - The heating capacity refers to the amount of heat that HVAC equipment can provide. It measures the system's ability to transfer heat into the space.

HSPF - HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. It indicates the efficiency of a residential heat pump system.

Multi-zone - zones divide a building into separate zones, each controlled by their own thermostat. This allows different areas of a building to have different temperatures.

Refrigerant - A compound used in air conditioners, heat pumps, and refrigerators to transfer heat. Refrigerant transitions from a liquid to a gas and back again.

SEER - Stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It measures the cooling efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump. The SEER rating is the cooling output divided by the total electrical input during the same cooling season.

Sone - Sone is a unit of loudness. It is a measurement of sound. Sone is often used to measure the noise level of fans or ventilation.

Zone - Zone temperature control references the HVAC unit's ability to control the temperature in a single area. This means that an individual zone may have a different temperature than other zones.