Week 1 Plumbing/HVAC Terms

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BTU (British Thermal Unit)

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A unit of measurement for energy in air conditioning, indicating the amount of heat an air conditioner can remove from a room per hour. Higher BTU ratings indicate greater cooling capacity.

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SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)

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A rating that measures the efficiency of an air conditioning unit over a typical cooling season. Higher SEER ratings indicate more energy-efficient systems.

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Compressor

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A critical component of an air conditioning system that compresses refrigerant gas, increasing its pressure and temperature, essential for the refrigeration cycle.

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Evaporator Coil

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A coil located inside the indoor unit of an air conditioner where the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air, causing the refrigerant to evaporate into a gas.

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Condenser Coil

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A coil located in the outdoor unit where the refrigerant releases heat to the outside air, causing it to condense back into a liquid.

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Refrigerant

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A chemical compound used in air conditioners that absorbs and releases heat as it circulates through the system, facilitating the cooling process.

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Thermostat

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A device that measures and controls the temperature in a space by regulating the operation of the air conditioning system.

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Ductwork

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The system of ducts and vents that distributes cooled air from the air conditioner throughout a building.

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Air Handler

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The indoor unit that circulates air through the ductwork, containing the evaporator coil, blower motor, and air filter.

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Heat Pump

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A type of HVAC system that can provide both heating and cooling by reversing the flow of refrigerant, transferring heat from one place to another rather than generating heat directly.