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| < Go back to FAQ (frequently asked questions) | ||
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| Terminology | Maintenance | Furnaces | Air Conditioners | Air Quality | Humidifiers |
Frequently Asked Questions about Industry Terminology We don't doubt that you'll find some unfamiliar terms on our web site. Please forgive us—we're very passionate about what we do! We've compiled and defined an alphabetical list of technical and industry terms to be aware of when you shop for heating, cooling, or air quality products.
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AFUE AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The AFUE number represents how efficiently a furnace converts fuel to energy. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more energy or fuel-efficient the furnace. The U.S. government’s established minimum AFUE rating for a furnace is 78 percent. |
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AHU An Air Handling Unit is a device used to condition and circulate air in heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. |
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ARI ARI (air-conditioning and refrigeration institute) is a reference number found on the external and inside-the-home parts of air-conditioning units. The number is used for matching purposes because every air-conditioner unit is only compatible with a certain number of other parts. |
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BTU Short for British Thermal Unit. The amount of heat required to raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. |
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BTUH Short for British Thermal Unit per Hour. The amount of heat required to raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit in an hour. |
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Bypass Damper A bypass damper is used to relieve excess system air pressure when more air is being blown than required. Dampers close off a humidifier's bypass duct to stop excess heated air from being blown out and instead, reroutes the air through the humidifier and back into the furnace. |
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Dual-Speed Motor A two speed motor on a fan that circulates warm air through the house. Dual-speed motors save energy, help eliminate hot and cold spots, and are quieter because the fan is not always running at the highest setting. |
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DC Motor or ECM A Direct Current or Electronically Commutated Motor is a motor that uses a direct current (or as we call it, battery power) instead of normal electricity. It is much much cheaper to run a motor on battery power rather than on normal A.C. power. A D.C. Motor will be much quieter and can run on many more speeds than a standard motor. A Standard A.C. Motor uses about the same amount of power as 7 light bulbs, A D.C Motor uses the equivalent of 2 standard light bulbs. When you purchase a furnace with a D.C. Motor, it will save you hundreds of dollars every year and thousands of dollars over its life. |
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Energy Star An international standard for energy efficient consumer products and energy performance rating system. (Link) |
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Filter Media Filter media are layers of different materials used in a filter to trap particles. Filters are referred to as single-media or multi-media, depending on the number of layers. |
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HEPA HEPA stands for “High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor” It is a type of air filter that is used in air cleaning and purification equipment including air cleaners, air purifiers and in high quality vacuum cleaners. Most HEPA air cleaners have an efficiency rating of 99.97%. |
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HRV A Heat Recovery Ventilation system collects and exhausts stale indoor air while drawing outdoor air and distributing it throughout the home. |
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HVAC An abbreviation for: Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. |
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MERV Rating MERV is a standard used to measure the ability of an air filter to remove dust from the air. A higher MERV rating means fewer dust particles and contaminants in the air. MERV ratings range from 1 to 16 and measurements are recorded in microns. |
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One-Stage Furnace A furnace with only one setting for its flame. When there is a call for heat, the furnace turns on to full power and runs until the temperature you requested has been reached. |
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Plenum The plenum is the space that can facilitate air circulation for heating and air conditioning systems, by providing pathways for either heated/conditioned or return airflows. |
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R410A R-410A is a chlorine-free, environmentally friendly, next-generation refrigerant. |
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Scroll Compressor A device for compressing air or refrigerant. It is used in air conditioning equipment. |
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SEER The efficiency of air conditioners is often rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating of a unit is the cooling output in Btu (British thermal unit) during a typical cooling-season divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours during the same period. The higher the unit's SEER rating the more energy efficient it is. |
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Sound Insulation Cabinet Some furnace manufacturers have started to surround their furnaces with sound insulation. The result is a quieter furnace and a quieter house. |
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Timer-Metered Solenoid A humidifier valve that regulates and distributes the flow of water. |
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Two-Stage Furnace A furnace with a high and low setting for its flame. When there is a call for heat the furnace has the ability to run on a low flame first and if it requires more heat it will automatically adjust to its higher setting. This can save you money on gas during the Spring and Fall seasons when you don't need your furnace to run at full capacity. |
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Variable-Speed Motor A type of fan motor that is adjustable across a wide range of speeds. Variable-speed motors are more responsive to the heating requirements of your home and are much quieter and more energy efficient than other units. |
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VOCs Volatile organic compounds (pet dander, dust, mold, etc.) |
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246 Rochester St. • Ottawa, ON • K1R 7N1 • info@homeservicegroup.ca • 613.233.1115 • Fax 613. 237.1080 |
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