HVAC Terms
AFUE
Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is a measure of your furnace’s heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more efficient the furnace. The minimum percentage established by the DOE for furnaces is 78%.
AIRFLOW
The distribution or movement of air.
AIR HANDLER
The indoor part of an air conditioner or heat pump that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home.
BIOAEROSOLS
Microscopic living organisms suspended in the air that grow and multiply in warm, humid places.
CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
System in which air is treated at a central location and distributed to and from rooms by one or more fans and a series of ducts.
COMPRESSOR
The part of the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps refrigerant to meet household cooling requirements. Controlled by the thermostat, a compressor is the “heart” of an air conditioning system. It acts as a pump, causing the refrigerant to flow through the system. Its job is to draw in a low-pressure, low-temperature, refrigerant in a gaseous state and by compressing this gas, raise the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. This high-pressure, high-temperature gas then flows to the condenser coil.
CONDENSER COIL
The outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heat pump that either releases or collects heat, depending on the time of the year. It consists of a series of piping with a fan that draws outside air across the coil. As the refrigerant passes through the condenser coil and the cooler outside air passes across the coil, the air absorbs heat from the refrigerant which causes the refrigerant to condense from a gas to a liquid state. The high-pressure, high-temperature liquid then reaches the expansion valve.
DAMPER
A moveable plate, located in the ductwork that regulates airflow. Dampers are used to direct air to the areas that need it most. Typically used in a zoning application.
dB
A decibel is a unit used to measure the relative intensity of sound.
DOE
The Department of Energy is a federal agency responsible for setting industry efficiency standards and monitoring the consumption of energy sources.
DUAL FUEL
A comfort system that pairs an electric heat pump with a gas furnace, providing an energy-efficient alternative to the conventional furnace/air conditioner combination.
DUCTWORK
The method by which air is channeled from the furnace or the blower coil throughout your home.
ENERGY STAR
The EPA develops and enforces federal environmental regulations. The EPA oversees the nationwide ENERGY STAR program.
EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency is a U.S. government organization created to protect human health and the environment
EVAPORATOR COIL
A series of piping connected to a furnace or air handler that blows indoor air across it, causing the coil to absorb heat from the air. The cooled air is then delivered to the house through the ducts. The refrigerant then flows back to the compressor where the cycle starts over again.
EXPANSION VALVE
The “brain” of your air conditioning system. By sensing the temperature of the evaporator, or cooling coil, it allows liquid to pass through a very small orifice, which causes the refrigerant to expand to a low-pressure, low-temperature gas. This “cold” refrigerant flows to the evaporator coil.
FLUE
A flue is a duct or pipe used to exhaust gas to the outdoors.
HEAT EXCHANGER
Located in the furnace, the heat exchanger transfers heat to the surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout the home.
HEAT PUMP
A heat pump is an HVAC unit that heats or cools by moving heat. During the winter, a heat pump draws heat from outdoor air and circulates it through your home’s air ducts. In the summer, it reverses the process and removes heat from your house and releases it outdoors.
HSPF
The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is the heating efficiency rating for heat pumps. The higher the rating, the more efficient the heat pump. HSPF is regulated at 7.7.
HUMIDIFIER
An indoor air quality device that introduces moisture to heated air as it passes from the furnace into the ductwork for distribution throughout the home.
HVAC
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
HVACR
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
INDOOR COIL
See EVAPORATOR COIL
LOAD CALCULATION
Prudential will not just replace what you have now with new equipment. It’s possible your existing system wasn’t sized properly to begin with. To make sure you new heating and cooling system meets your needs for comfort and energy efficiency, we will take into account the climate, how your home is sited (if it faces north or south), the amount and quality of insulation in walls, basement or crawl space, attic, number of windows, large appliances that give off heat, and amount of space needing conditioning. All of these factors are used in our load calculations to provide you with a properly sized system for your individual needs.
MICRON
A unit of measure equal to one millionth of a meter, or one thousandth of a millimeter.
NATE
North American Technician Excellence, Inc. (NATE) is the leading certification program for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) industry and is the only test supported by the entire industry.
OUTDOOR COIL
See CONDENSER COIL
R410A REFRIGERANT
A chlorine-free refrigerant that meets the EPA’s newest, most stringent environmental guidelines.
REFRIGERANT
A chemical that produces a cooling effect while expanding or vaporizing. Most residential air conditioning units contain the standard R22 refrigerant, or Freon.
SCROLL COMPRESSOR
A specially designed compressor that works in a circular motion, as opposed to up-and-down piston action.
SEER
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is an energy efficiency rating for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the better the energy performance, the more you save. The DOE’s established minimum SEER rating for cooling is 13.00.
TWO-STAGE OPERATION
Provides two levels of heating or cooling output for greater temperature control, energy efficiency and improved indoor air quality.
VARIABLE SPEED MOTOR
A motor that automatically adjusts the flow of warm or cool air for ultimate comfort.
VENTILATOR
A system that automatically adjusts the flow of warm or cool air for ultimate comfort.
ZONING SYSTEMS
A method of partitioning a home or office into independently controlled comfort zones for enhanced comfort and efficiency.
Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is a measure of your furnace’s heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more efficient the furnace. The minimum percentage established by the DOE for furnaces is 78%.
AIRFLOW
The distribution or movement of air.
AIR HANDLER
The indoor part of an air conditioner or heat pump that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home.
BIOAEROSOLS
Microscopic living organisms suspended in the air that grow and multiply in warm, humid places.
CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
System in which air is treated at a central location and distributed to and from rooms by one or more fans and a series of ducts.
COMPRESSOR
The part of the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps refrigerant to meet household cooling requirements. Controlled by the thermostat, a compressor is the “heart” of an air conditioning system. It acts as a pump, causing the refrigerant to flow through the system. Its job is to draw in a low-pressure, low-temperature, refrigerant in a gaseous state and by compressing this gas, raise the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. This high-pressure, high-temperature gas then flows to the condenser coil.
CONDENSER COIL
The outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heat pump that either releases or collects heat, depending on the time of the year. It consists of a series of piping with a fan that draws outside air across the coil. As the refrigerant passes through the condenser coil and the cooler outside air passes across the coil, the air absorbs heat from the refrigerant which causes the refrigerant to condense from a gas to a liquid state. The high-pressure, high-temperature liquid then reaches the expansion valve.
DAMPER
A moveable plate, located in the ductwork that regulates airflow. Dampers are used to direct air to the areas that need it most. Typically used in a zoning application.
dB
A decibel is a unit used to measure the relative intensity of sound.
DOE
The Department of Energy is a federal agency responsible for setting industry efficiency standards and monitoring the consumption of energy sources.
DUAL FUEL
A comfort system that pairs an electric heat pump with a gas furnace, providing an energy-efficient alternative to the conventional furnace/air conditioner combination.
DUCTWORK
The method by which air is channeled from the furnace or the blower coil throughout your home.
ENERGY STAR
The EPA develops and enforces federal environmental regulations. The EPA oversees the nationwide ENERGY STAR program.
EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency is a U.S. government organization created to protect human health and the environment
EVAPORATOR COIL
A series of piping connected to a furnace or air handler that blows indoor air across it, causing the coil to absorb heat from the air. The cooled air is then delivered to the house through the ducts. The refrigerant then flows back to the compressor where the cycle starts over again.
EXPANSION VALVE
The “brain” of your air conditioning system. By sensing the temperature of the evaporator, or cooling coil, it allows liquid to pass through a very small orifice, which causes the refrigerant to expand to a low-pressure, low-temperature gas. This “cold” refrigerant flows to the evaporator coil.
FLUE
A flue is a duct or pipe used to exhaust gas to the outdoors.
HEAT EXCHANGER
Located in the furnace, the heat exchanger transfers heat to the surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout the home.
HEAT PUMP
A heat pump is an HVAC unit that heats or cools by moving heat. During the winter, a heat pump draws heat from outdoor air and circulates it through your home’s air ducts. In the summer, it reverses the process and removes heat from your house and releases it outdoors.
HSPF
The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is the heating efficiency rating for heat pumps. The higher the rating, the more efficient the heat pump. HSPF is regulated at 7.7.
HUMIDIFIER
An indoor air quality device that introduces moisture to heated air as it passes from the furnace into the ductwork for distribution throughout the home.
HVAC
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
HVACR
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
INDOOR COIL
See EVAPORATOR COIL
LOAD CALCULATION
Prudential will not just replace what you have now with new equipment. It’s possible your existing system wasn’t sized properly to begin with. To make sure you new heating and cooling system meets your needs for comfort and energy efficiency, we will take into account the climate, how your home is sited (if it faces north or south), the amount and quality of insulation in walls, basement or crawl space, attic, number of windows, large appliances that give off heat, and amount of space needing conditioning. All of these factors are used in our load calculations to provide you with a properly sized system for your individual needs.
MICRON
A unit of measure equal to one millionth of a meter, or one thousandth of a millimeter.
NATE
North American Technician Excellence, Inc. (NATE) is the leading certification program for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) industry and is the only test supported by the entire industry.
OUTDOOR COIL
See CONDENSER COIL
R410A REFRIGERANT
A chlorine-free refrigerant that meets the EPA’s newest, most stringent environmental guidelines.
REFRIGERANT
A chemical that produces a cooling effect while expanding or vaporizing. Most residential air conditioning units contain the standard R22 refrigerant, or Freon.
SCROLL COMPRESSOR
A specially designed compressor that works in a circular motion, as opposed to up-and-down piston action.
SEER
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is an energy efficiency rating for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the better the energy performance, the more you save. The DOE’s established minimum SEER rating for cooling is 13.00.
TWO-STAGE OPERATION
Provides two levels of heating or cooling output for greater temperature control, energy efficiency and improved indoor air quality.
VARIABLE SPEED MOTOR
A motor that automatically adjusts the flow of warm or cool air for ultimate comfort.
VENTILATOR
A system that automatically adjusts the flow of warm or cool air for ultimate comfort.
ZONING SYSTEMS
A method of partitioning a home or office into independently controlled comfort zones for enhanced comfort and efficiency.