January 22, 2025
Here is an extended and comprehensive A-Z list of HVAC terms, including industry-specific terms, HVAC software, and relevant abbreviations with one-line explanations:
A
- AC (Air Conditioner) – A system used to cool indoor air.
- AHU (Air Handling Unit) – A device that circulates air in HVAC systems.
- ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) – A professional organization for advancing HVAC&R knowledge.
- ATU (Air Treatment Unit) – Equipment used to filter, dehumidify, and treat air before it enters the HVAC system.
- A/C Load – The amount of cooling energy required by an air conditioning system.
B
- BTU (British Thermal Unit) – A unit of heat energy used to measure heating and cooling capacities.
- BMS (Building Management System) – A system that monitors and controls a building’s HVAC, lighting, and other systems.
- Boiler – A heating system that heats water or air to provide warmth for a building.
C
- CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) – A measure of airflow, commonly used for ventilation.
- COP (Coefficient of Performance) – A ratio of heating or cooling output to energy input.
- Chiller – A system used to cool air or water for HVAC applications.
- Condenser – A component that cools refrigerant gas and condenses it into a liquid.
- CAV (Constant Air Volume) – An HVAC system that maintains a constant airflow rate.
D
- DPT (Dew Point Temperature) – The temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and condensation begins.
- Ductwork – A system of ducts that distributes air throughout a building for heating, ventilation, and cooling.
- DX (Direct Expansion) – A cooling method in which refrigerant evaporates directly in the evaporator coils.
E
- ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) – A device that transfers heat and moisture between incoming and outgoing air.
- EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) – A measure of energy efficiency for air conditioners and heat pumps.
- Exhaust Fan – A fan used to expel stale air from a building.
F
- FCU (Fan Coil Unit) – A device used for heating or cooling by blowing air over a cooling coil or heating coil.
- FPM (Feet per Minute) – A unit of measurement for airflow speed.
- Filter – A device that removes particles, dust, and other impurities from the air.
- Fresh Air Vent – An air vent that introduces fresh outdoor air into a building.
G
- GIS (Geographic Information System) – Used in HVAC for mapping and designing system layouts.
- Grilles – A cover with slats or vents to allow airflow into or out of a space.
H
- HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) – The system that controls indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity.
- HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) – A measure of the efficiency of heating equipment like heat pumps.
- Heat Pump – A device used for both heating and cooling by transferring heat between indoor and outdoor spaces.
I
- IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) – The condition of the air inside a building, including pollutants, temperature, and humidity.
- IRV (Indoor Recirculation Ventilation) – A method of circulating air within a building to improve ventilation.
J
- Joule – A unit of energy used to measure heating and cooling outputs.
- Jacketed System – A system designed with an outer layer to prevent temperature changes from affecting the inner fluid flow in HVAC systems.
K
- K-factor – A term used to describe the thermal conductivity of insulation materials.
- KVA (Kilovolt-Ampere) – A unit used to measure electrical power in HVAC systems.
L
- Latent Heat – Heat energy absorbed or released during a phase change without a change in temperature (e.g., condensation or evaporation).
- LCH (Low-Carbon Heating) – Heating systems that minimize carbon emissions, typically involving renewable sources.
- Low-Side Pressure – The pressure in the evaporator of a refrigeration system.
M
- MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) – A scale to measure the effectiveness of air filters.
- MOC (Method of Control) – Refers to the control strategy of an HVAC system (e.g., manual, automatic).
- Multizone System – An HVAC system that provides separate temperature control for different zones in a building.
N
- NOM (Nominal Capacity) – The rated capacity of an HVAC system.
- NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) – Pollutants emitted from combustion processes in HVAC systems.
O
- OAT (Outdoor Air Temperature) – The temperature outside the building.
- Oxygen Sensor – A sensor used to measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases of HVAC systems.
- Outdoor Unit – The external component of an HVAC system, typically containing the condenser and compressor.
P
- PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) – A metric used to determine energy efficiency in buildings.
- PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) – A unit of pressure measurement in HVAC systems.
- Piping System – A network of pipes used to transport fluids (water, refrigerant) within an HVAC system.
Q
- Quantum Refrigerant – A new, environmentally friendly refrigerant that minimizes environmental impact.
- Quick-Change Filter – A type of filter designed for easy replacement in HVAC systems.
R
- RTU (Rooftop Unit) – A packaged HVAC unit installed on a building’s roof.
- Refrigerant – A substance used in HVAC systems to absorb and release heat through evaporation and condensation.
- Reheat – The process of adding heat back into cooled air to achieve a desired temperature.
S
- SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) – A measure of the efficiency of cooling systems like air conditioners.
- SV (Supply Vent) – A vent used to supply air from the HVAC system to a room.
- Static Pressure – The pressure in a duct system that is not in motion.
- SPF (Seasonal Performance Factor) – A measure of the efficiency of heating or cooling systems over an entire season.
T
- TSP (Total Static Pressure) – The sum of all static pressure in a duct system.
- Tanks – Used in chilled water or hot water systems for storage purposes.
- Thermostat – A device used to monitor and control the temperature in a room or building.
- Ton of Cooling – A unit of cooling capacity equal to the ability to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours.
U
- UV Light (Ultraviolet Light) – A germicidal light used in HVAC systems to disinfect air and surfaces.
- Underfloor Air Distribution – A system that supplies air through floor vents instead of ceiling ducts.
V
- VAV (Variable Air Volume) – A system where the airflow is adjusted according to temperature demands in each zone.
- VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) – A device that controls the speed of motors in HVAC systems to improve energy efficiency.
- VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) – A system where refrigerant flow to each zone is adjusted based on demand.
W
- WAT (Wet Bulb Temperature) – The temperature to which air can be cooled by evaporating water into it.
- Watt – A unit of electrical power used to measure the energy consumption of HVAC systems.
- Water Source Heat Pump – A heat pump system that uses water as the heat exchange medium.
Z
- Zoning System – A system that divides a building into different zones, each with its own temperature control.
- Zoned HVAC System – An HVAC system that allows for independent temperature control in different parts of a building.
HVAC Software:
- HVAC Load Calculator – Software used to calculate the heating and cooling requirements of a space.
- AutoCAD – A design software widely used for HVAC system design and layout.
- Revit – A Building Information Modeling (BIM) software used for designing and simulating HVAC systems.
- Trane Trace 700 – A software for HVAC system design and energy analysis.
- Carrier HAP (Hourly Analysis Program) – A software used for energy and load calculations in HVAC design.
- EnergyPlus – A simulation software used for modeling HVAC systems and energy consumption.
- CoolCalc – A software used for load calculations for HVAC system designs.