HVAC Glossary Terms
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.
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