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| Cooling For Your Home |
Glossary of Terms
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EER
Energy Efficiency Ratio. The ratio of the cooling capacity of the air conditioner
in BTUs per hour to the total electrical input in watts. This measure is determined
by comparing test units to the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute specifications.
EFFICIENCY
A general term used to describe how effectively a heat pump, air conditioning
system, or furnace converts incoming energy to outgoing energy. The higher the
number, the more efficient the unit, and the lower the operating costs.
EVAPORATOR COIL/EVAPORATOR
An integral part of the indoor unit of a heat pump or air conditioning system.
So called because when warm air passes over a coil filled with liquid refrigerant,
the refrigerant itself evaporates and absorbs some of the heat. This gas refrigerant
is then pumped to the outdoor coil, where it releases heat into the surrounding
air and returns to its liquid state.
HEAT EXCHANGER
Responsible for transferring heat from furnace burners to the blower. Ruud uses
some of the finest heat exchangers in the industry with limited lifetime warranties
on some models.
HORIZONTAL FLOW
A term used to describe the direction of airflow through a furnace. A horizontal
flow furnace takes return air from one side, heats it, and then delivers the
warm air from the other side.
HSPF
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. It measures the efficiency of the heating
portion of your heat pump. The Department of Energy minimum is 6.8. (Similar
to SEER.)
HUMIDIFIER
Usually available as an optional accessory, a humidifier is used to inject water
vapor into the dry, heated air expelled from a furnace/air handler. The benefits
can be improved efficiency and a more comfortable living environment.
HVAC
Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning. Used to refer to the industry at large,
particularly dealers of heating and air conditioning equipment.
INDOOR COILS
Split-system home comfort systems use two main components to deliver air for
a comfortable living environment. The indoor coil is the device responsible for
transferring heat from indoors to the outdoors (or the reverse in the case of
a heat pump in heating mode). Most modern systems are designed to achieve maximum
efficiency when the indoor unit (coils and blower) is properly matched with the
outdoor unit (air conditioner or heat pump). For best results, be sure to replace
both the indoor and outdoor units at the same time.
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