Most of us have had encounters with HVAC technicians in our homes. And we learned that understanding the industry lingo can be difficult. We want to help make your first or next experience with an HVAC technician a good one. Below are some of the most common HVAC terms you may want to know!
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)
This term is used to rate the efficiency of air conditioners. The rating of the unit is calculated by the cooling output during a cooling season divided by the total electrical energy input during that season. The higher the unit is rated, the more energy-efficient it is.
MERV
This stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is a measurement scale used to rate the effectiveness of air filters. The ratings are from 1 to 16. The MERV Report is primarily used to show the worst-case performance of a filter when dealing with harmful air particles that are captured. For example, a MERV 16 filter could capture more than 95% of the particles.
Ductwork
Specialized pipes or channels for the airflow (including supply air, return air and exhaust air) within a home.
Evaporator Coil
The coil is the part of the HVAC system where the refrigerant absorbs heat. It can be used to absorb heat from the air or from a liquid. The evaporator is the cold side of an air conditioner or heat pump and is located inside your air handler or attached to the furnace.
Condenser Coil
This component in the basic refrigeration cycle ejects or removes heat from the system. The condenser is the hot side of an air conditioner or heat pump. Condenser coils are heat exchangers and can transfer heat to air or to an intermediate fluid to carry heat to a distant sink, such as ground (earth sink), a body of water, or air (as with cooling towers). Your central HVAC’s condenser coils are usually located in your outdoor air conditioning or heat pump unit. You should have a minimum 2-foot clearance around your outdoor unit for proper airflow.
If you have any questions or concerns about your HVAC system, Weather Master would love to give you a hand. With more than 40 years in the HVAC industry, we’ve got the knowledge to get any job done! Just give us a call at (919) 853-7910 or schedule an appointment online!