Cooling-Specific Components

Air Conditioner: component of an HVAC system which uses refrigerants to cool and

transfer air.

Compressor: device which compresses and pumps refrigerant from an outdoor air

conditioner or heat pump and pumps it into your home.

Condenser Coil: outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heat pump which can release or
absorb heat depending on the time of year.

Evaporator Coil: component inside the air handler or attached to your furnace which
absorbs heat from the air in your home.

Refrigerant Lines: two copper pipes running between an indoor evaporator coil and

external air conditioner or heat pump.

Heating-Specific Components
Air Handler: indoor component which moves warmed or cooled air through the ductwork.

Ductwork: passageways through which air channeled from the furnace or blower coil flow
throughout your home.

Furnace: component of an HVAC system where the air is heated and transferred; may run
from one of several different fuels.

Heat Exchanger: component inside a furnace which transfers heat to the surrounding

area, which in turn is pumped throughout your home.

Humidifier: device which adds moisture to the heated air as it leaves the furnace.

HVAC Components
Blower: device inside an air handler or furnace consisting of a motor and wheel which
moves air through your HVAC system.

Damper: movable plate in the ductwork which can be adjusted to redirect or regulate

airflow; most commonly found in zoning systems.
Electronic Air Cleaner: device which filters bioaerosols and large particles from indoor
air.

Heat Pump: device which takes the place of traditional furnaces and air conditioners by
exchanging warm and cool air between the inside and outside of your home, depending
upon your temperature settings.

Humidistat: automatic device which maintains a set level of humidity.

Programmable Thermostat: electronic thermostat which may be programmed to activate

multiple temperature settings for your HVAC system throughout the day.

Scroll Compressor: specially designed compressor which has circular movement instead

of piston-like.

Sequencer: relay which opens circuits in a timed sequence; often found in electric heating
units.

Solenoid Valve: valve designed to stop the flow of fluids or refrigerant gasses.

Thermidistat – similar to a thermostat, but measures humidity instead of temperature.

Thermostat: temperature control device containing sensors which detect changes in

temperature and relay commands to the HVAC unit based on your temperature settings;
most modern thermostats are digital but older models used mercury or other temperature-
sensitive methods.

Variable Speed Motor: fan motor designed to adjust the fan’s speed based on input from
the thermostat; is less noisy, increases dehumidification, and more energy-efficient than
standard fan motors.

HVAC Terminology
Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE): incremental measurement of heating
system efficiency.

Bioaerosols: microscopic airborne organisms which breed in warm, humid air.

British Thermal Unit (BTU): amount of heat required (or removed, for cooling
measurements) in an hour to change one pound of water by one degree.
Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM): airflow measurement denoting how many cubic feet off air
passes a stationary point within one minute.

Energy Star®: designation to show that an appliance meets or exceeds the Federal

guidelines for energy-efficient performance.

Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF): incremental rating which reflects the

efficiency of a heat pump.

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV): rating which measures the size of an air
filter’s holes; a higher number equates to smaller holes and higher filtering efficiency.

Micron: one millionth of a meter (1//1000 millimeter).

Particles: substances measuring below 100 microns in diameter; particles measuring less

than 2.5 microns can have serious health effects when airborne.

Refrigerant: chemical, such as Freon, which has a cooling effect when expanding or

vaporizing.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER): measurement scale which gives an

increasing efficiency rating for heat pumps or cooling units.

Supply: refers to the air coming from an air handler or furnace to indoor ventilation
openings such as grills or air vents.

Ton: unit of measurement; in HVAC, one ton equals 1200 BTUs per hour in cooling

capacity.

Vapor: gaseous state of liquids, including refrigerants.

Ventilation: referring to both devices and openings in HVAC systems which allow air to
vent from one area to another.

Windings: the electrical coils found in many electrical components, including

compressors, contractors, and relays.

Types of HVAC Systems

All-in-One System: any system in which all components are located in a single cabinet;
usually located beside or atop your home.

Central Air-Conditioning System: system where air is cooled in a central location and

distributed outwards.

Dry-Charged Unit: air conditioner or heat pump which is shipped without refrigerant and
filled on-site.

Horizontal Flow: air handler or furnace which is oriented on its side and circulates air from
one end to the other; commonly used in crawl spaces or attics.

Packaged Unit: HVAC system contained in a single outdoor unit.

Smart Home: home in which multiple functions, including HVAC, are

controlled automatically or by remote.

Split System: HVAC system in which the components are in two different locations;
usually an outside air conditioner and inside furnace.

Two-Stage Heating/Cooling: system which runs at a lower, energy-saving speed but may

switch to a higher secondary stage as needed.

Upflow: furnace or air handler installed vertically in basements or small spaces which

circulates air from the side and out through the top.

Zoning System: any HVAC system capable of creating custom temperature zones

throughout your home, allowing for better efficiency and comfort.