Glossary of Terms
AFUE– Annual
Fuel Utilization Efficiency. A measure of a gas furnace's
efficiency in converting fuel to energy the higher the
rating, the more efficient the unit. For example: A rating of 90
means that approximately 90 percent of the fuel is used to
provide warmth to your home, while the remaining 10 percent
escapes as exhaust.
BTU–
British Thermal Unit. This is the amount of heat it takes to
raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. For your home,
it represents the measure of heat given off when fuel is burned
for heating or the measure of heat extracted from your home for
cooling.
CFM–
Cubic Feet Per Minute. A standard measurement of airflow. A
typical system requires 400 CFM per ton of air conditioning.
Capacity– The
output or producing ability of a piece of cooling or heating
equipment. Cooling and heating capacities are referred to on
BTUs.
Comfort-R™ Airflow System–
An exclusive feature of a high efficiency home comfort system
from Trane. This method of ramping airflow gives you greater
humidity control in cooling and provides warmer air during
heating start up.
Compressor–
The heart of an air conditioning or heat pump system. It is part
of the outdoor unit and pumps refrigerant in order to meet the
cooling requirements of the system.
Condenser Coil or Outdoor
Coil– In an air
conditioner, the coil dissipates heat from the refrigerant,
changing the refrigerant from vapor to liquid. In a heat pump
system, it absorbs heat from the outdoors.
Damper–
Found in ductwork, this movable plate opens and closes to
control airflow. Dampers can be used to balance airflow in a
duct system. They are also used in zoning to regulate airflow to
certain rooms.
Ductwork–
Pipes or channels that carry air throughout your home. In a home
comfort system, ductwork is critical to performance in fact,
it's as critical as the equipment.
Evaporator Coil or Indoor
Coil– The other half of
your air conditioning system located inside your home in the
indoor unit. This is where the refrigerant evaporates as it
absorbs heat from the air that passes over the coil.
Gas Furnace Heat Exchanger–
Located in the furnace, the heat exchanger transfers heat to the
surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout your home.
HSPF–
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This rating is used in
measuring the heating efficiency of a heat pump. The higher the
number, the more efficient the unit.
Package Unit–
A heating and cooling system contained in one outdoor unit. A
package unit is typically installed either beside, on top of the
home, or sometimes in the attic.
Refrigerant–
A chemical that produces a refrigerating effect while expanding
and vaporizing. Most residential air conditioning systems
contain R-22 refrigerant. R-22 is regulated by international
controls under the Montreal Protocol and in the United States by
the Environmental Protection Agency. It is scheduled to be in
production until the year 2020. It's used in approximately 95
percent of air conditioning equipment manufactured in the U.S.
today.
SEER–
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. A measure of cooling
efficiency for air conditioners and heat pumps. The higher the
seer, the more energy efficient the unit. The government's
minimum SEER rating is 10. (It's similar to comparing miles per
gallon in automobiles.)
SEET–
Seasonal Extreme Environmental Test Lab. This is Trane's torture
chamber for heating and air conditioning systems, where five
years of service are condensed into 16 torturous weeks. If a
product doesn't make it through our SEET lab, it's not
manufactured. We push our equipment to extremes because we'd
rather test them in our lab than in your home.
Split System–
The combination of an outdoor unit (air conditioner or heat
pump) with an indoor unit (furnace or air handler). Split
systems must be matched for optimum efficiency.
Thermostat–
A thermostat consists of a series of sensors and relays that
monitor and control the functions of a heating and cooling
system.
Ton–
A unit of measurement used for determining cooling capacity. One
ton is the equivalent of 12,000 BTUs per hour.
Zoning–
A method of dividing a home into different comfort zones so each
zone can be independently controlled depending on use and need.
Ten
Time-Proven Tips For Selecting A Dealer
1. Check
credentials. Before making your selection, call the Better
Business Bureau to make sure the dealer is reputable. Also, find
out if the dealer is a member of a local or national association
such as the Air Conditioning Contractors Association of America.
2. Make
sure the dealer is affiliated with a nationally known
manufacturer. Dealers should be taking advantage of factory
training offered by their manufacturer. As a result, when they
make recommendations, you can be more assured that they've
selected the right size system for your home, and that they've
been trained in installation and service.
3. Ask
for references. Former customers are an excellent source of
information. Also, ask to see installation photos. A dealer that
is proud of their work will be more than happy to show it to
you.
4. Expect
an on-site evaluation of your home. A good dealer will take a
thorough look at your home, ask questions and evaluate your
overall comfort needs before making a recommendation. Beware of
a dealer that simply takes information over the phone. A good
dealer will also look the part. While he's evaluating your home,
you should be evaluating him. Not only should he dress
professionally, but his truck and printed materials should look
professional as well.
5. Check
local licenses. Depending on where you live, dealers may have to
comply with certain local or state regulations, so ask to see
proof of these licenses as well as insurance forms for liability
and workmen's compensation.
6. Don't
be afraid to ask questions. Ask for details about the firm's
experience and the expertise of its staff. This is particularly
important if you're also adding or changing ductwork in this
case, experience is definitely a factor in getting the job done
correctly.
7. Get
a written proposal. To make a fair comparison, make sure the
proposals you receive are all based on the same efficiency and
equipment. You'll also want to evaluate each dealer's personal
business standards and policies. For example, will he remove old
equipment? Will he relocate equipment if you want your new
system installed in a different location? What are his clean up
and care policies during installation? How will he handle
emergency repair? These are just a few of the additional
elements a good proposal will include.
8. Inquire
about equipment and labor warranties. Limited warranties vary
according to the manufacturer, so make sure you fully understand
what you're getting. Also, don't forget to inquire about
manufacturer's extended warranties at the time of purchase and
other warranties provided by the dealer.
9. Ask
about preventive maintenance service contracts. Many dealers
offer service contracts that call for periodic maintenance of
equipment, and if needed repairs. The fee for such contracts is
usually well worth it in terms of obtaining optimum efficiency
and performance for your system.
10.
Finally insist on a written contract. Commit your agreement to
writing and have the dealer sign it.
